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Heather Cantino,
Rural Action
Safe Pest Control Program ipm@ruralaction.org
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IPM in schools: intro
Strategies
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Three steps
to safer pest control: Intro for Teachers
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Definition: Integrated pest management, or IPM, is a strategy
that focuses on long-term prevention or suppression of pest populations
using a combination of tactics that minimize the impact of control activities
on human health and the environment. IPM relies on understanding pest
biology to devise non-chemical and least toxic chemical management strategies.
When pesticide use is deemed necessary to supplement non-chemical strategies,
the least-hazardous material and formulation adequate for the job will
always be chosen.
Rationale: IPM is an effective, feasible, and cost-effective alternative
to the routine use of toxic pesticides. IPM is more effective than routine
spraying, both because IPM focuses on the causes of pest problems and
on permanent prevention strategies and because it does not create pesticide
avoidance and resistance in pests.
Summary of IPM Process
- Establish tolerance levels--site-specific and pest-specific.
- Inspect all sites regularly.
- Monitor problem areas with sticky traps or visual inspection.
Identify pests.
- Take action if tolerance levels are exceeded. Unless pest numbers
require otherwise, consider non-chemical controls first--sanitation,
vacuuming and trapping, plumbing repairs, caulking and other exclusion
and habitat modification methods.
- Monitor again. If tolerance levels are still exceeded, determine
what other non-chemical controls and whether least toxic chemical controls
should be implemented. These might include:
- pheromone traps in harborage areas (these traps do not contain
pesticides but do increase the effectiveness of nearby baits)
- baits in cracks and crevices or bait stations (active ingredients:
boric acid, fipronil)
insect growth regulators (igrs), to be used in a severe infestation
if other methods
- have not brought the problem under control.
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- Periodically evaluate program and adjust components as needed:
- Are tolerance levels reasonable?
- Are occupant education and cooperation adequate?
- Are roles and responsibilities clear and carried out effectively?
- Is communication effective?
- Are action strategies effective, timely, workable, and cost-effective?
Are there unanticipated effects (positive or negative) of these
strategies?
- Are protocols and plans clear, appropriate, well understood
and accepted?
- Is contractor performance to specs?
- Is balance of in-house and contracted work optimal?
- Are evaluation and oversight adequate?
- Are long-term pest prevention goals in place? Budgeted for?
Being achieved?
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Components of an IPM Program
A good school IPM program should establish:
- Clearly designated roles and responsibilities of decision-makers,
pest managers, and building occupants
- Clearly specified communication mechanisms
- On-going education and training for decision makers, pest managers,
and building occupants
- Pest-specific and site-specific tolerance levels
- Regular inspections with appropriate record-keeping
- Regular monitoring of problem areas and appropriate record-keeping
- Pest control protocols and guidelines, including procedures,
restrictions, and stipulations for any pesticide use (such as
permitted formulations and chemicals, record-keeping and permissions
necessary)
- Multi-tactic pest management based on a knowledge of pest biology
and the school context
- Follow-up mechanisms to ensure maintenance and repairs are
carried out
- Site-specific pest management objectives and plans
- Long-term pest prevention goals and appropriate budgetary
planning
- Record-keeping: what is done by whom, when, and where; results;
follow-up
- On-going evaluation
And, over the long run,
- An IPM committee--with administrative, teaching, maintenance,
parent, and community representatives--to offer support, direction,
and policy development
- An IPM policy to ensure continuity and clarity
- Written IPM procedures and site-specific plans
- A resource library of IPM expertise and information
For more information, contact:
Heather Cantino, Coordinator, Rural Action Safe Pest Control Program
phone: 740-594-3338 | e-mail: ipm@ruralaction.org
funded by Ohio Environmental Education Fund, 1999
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