Pet Plate Protocol

Mikey’s morning kibble becomes a small crisis—ants marching across his dog’s bowl—and that everyday scene opens a focused, 9-minute lesson in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This episode blends a short human micro-story with a quick vet soundbite to build empathy and credibility, then walks listeners through how to read the most common clues (trails, droppings, gnaw marks, packaging damage), why accessible pet food is frequently implicated in household pest calls, and which non-chemical moves actually stop repeat visits. The IPM Playbook prioritizes inspection, airtight storage, scheduled feeding, surface sanitation, physical exclusion, and monitoring; the XTERMIGATOR DIY Report lists 3–5 weekend wins (sealed containers, elevated/contained bowls, timed put-away, targeted inspection) and a clear decision checklist for when to call a licensed technician. Safety is foregrounded: no pesticides near pets, photo-submission guidance in the show notes for accurate ID, and a downloadable checklist and vet/pest-control contact template on the episode landing page.