n. (abbr. IPM)a programmatic approach to control destructive animals by taking proactive steps to prevent damage, such as environmental monitoring, proper housekeeping, and education, while limiting reactive measures, such as chemical usageRitzenthaler 2010, 257–258Integrated pest management (IPM) is an approach that advocates a variety of control mechanisms, emphasizing the creation of an environment that is not conducive to pest habitation. Chemical treatment is not the first line of defense. Instead, recommendations include reducing the moisture content of buildings and collection items, screening and caulking entry points, systematically cleaning buildings and removing food and garbage, and reducing temperatures in storage areas. Traps are also recommended to monitor types and location of pests.Abbey 2012, 108To address pest problems that sometimes occur in facilities, archives could consider seeking out greener solutions with the assistance of experts in the field of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which is a more holistic and environmentally-sustainable approach to insect control. IPM practitioners use common-sense methods to reduce the use of chemical pesticides through continuous monitoring and education.McCann 2013, 44Integrated pest management (IPM) is a strategy to control insects and vermin through biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods that emphasize pest-deterring environments. The proactive emphasis of IPM on prevention in place of traditional reactive chemical treatments can prevent infestations of buildings and collections, which can be very difficult and very expensive to address.NEDCC 2015b, 1The term Integrated Pest Management (IPM) refers to pest control and prevention programs that rely on several simultaneous approaches to obtain the desired result. In the past, discussions of Integrated Pest Management for libraries and archives have often focused on the disinfestation of known pest problems in collections.Phillips 2015, 477–478Preventive care strategies that contribute significantly to the long-term preservation of a collection include emergency preparedness, climate control, integrated pest management, and care and handling policies.Harvey and Mahard 2020, 112–113Integrated pest management (IPM) is an excellent example of a holistic approach to building design and management. Whereas in the past insect infestations would have been addressed by applying pesticides that were often also harmful to humans, the IPM approach takes a much wider view by finding out why pests are present and addressing the conditions that encourage them to thrive. IPM is based on the principle that prevention is better that treatment . . . An IPM program has four pillars: knowledge of pests that occur in the region where the institution is based and of their life cycle; good housekeeping and cleanliness; controlling the environment within and outside the building; and control methods.Joffrion and Cloonan 2020, 98Integrated Pest Management (IPM) focuses on long-term prevention of pests through a combination of techniques such as good housekeeping, appropriate landscaping, and modification of staff and user practices. The idea behind this approach is to avoid using pesticides whenever possible.
Notes
Documented pests in archives include insects, rodents, birds, and bats.
