INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Understanding an Evolving ‘‘Hot’’ Topic for School & Hospital Facilities

Integrated pest management, commonly referred to as IPM, has become a hot topic across the United States, especially for schools and health care facilities. Thirty-three states have passed legislation addressing IPM in schools. Concurrently, states, such as New York and Louisiana, have begun to pass formal legislation mandating the use of IPM in hospitals. Yet, there is little consensus about the definition of IPM. A 2007 national survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the National Pest Management Association, found that 67% of all respondents had little to no knowledge of IPM.

This reflects the importance of defining IPM accurately. IPM is a process involving common sense and sound solutions for treating and controlling pests. The focus is on finding the best treatment for a pest problem, and not merely the simplest. Pest professionals never employ a “one size fits all” method in IPM, but rather, utilize a three- part practice: 1) inspection, 2) identification and 3) treatment by a pest professional. Schools and hospitals face a unique challenge when implementing pest management programs. There is a shared responsibility to protect the well-being of more sensitive populations – students and patients – from the serious health threats posed by the presence of pests.

When the top priority is protecting the health and safety of the individuals entrusted to them, school and health care leaders must have a variety of options available to them. IPM programs provide a multitude of proactive and reactive measures to protect their buildings – and those who spend significant time in them.

Pest Control: A School & Hospital Necessity
Before moving further into a discussion of IPM, it is crucial to revisit why such a program is necessary. The fact remains – pests can have harmful effects upon human health and property. The most common pests, in both schools and health care facilities, are cockroaches, rodents and ants. The following is a detailed overview of the health and property risks associated with these pests.

Cockroaches – The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) currently reports that one-in-five children in the United States have severe sensitivities to cockroach allergens, which increase the severity of asthma symptoms. Cockroaches can spread nearly 33 different kinds of bacteria, six kinds of parasitic worms and at least seven other kinds of human pathogens. Cockroaches often carry bacteria such as E coli and salmonella on their bodies, which can not only contaminate food and cooking equipment in a school/hospital kitchen but also, compromise the sterile environment of an operating room or a school health office.

Rodents – Rodents can enter buildings through almost any opening or crack. Once inside, rodents can cause severe damage as they are able to chew through wallboards, cardboard, wood and plaster. Notably, rodents can chew through electrical wiring, increasing the potential risk of fire. Facility managers must inspect for rodent droppings, especially in undisturbed areas such as cafeteria pantries, under baseboards and along walls. Rodent droppings most often cause allergic reactions in humans but can also cause disease, including the potentially deadly Hantavirus.

Ants – Ants are social insects. Therefore, spotting one ant unfortunately signifies that many more may be close behind. Ants are not simply unsightly – they can also be dangerous contaminates to food. This demands that facility managers be proactive in preventing and treating ants in a school or hospital.

IPM in Schools & Hospitals:
Cooperation Required!
The “integrated” in integrated pest management does not merely describe the three-part practice of inspection, identification and treatment. Rather, it reflects the joint commitment of school and hospital leaders and pest professionals in providing a pest-free environment. Pest prevention is the first, critical step in an IPM program and one that all can share in. Here are just a few of the “pestproofing” tips that school and hospital communities can implement to protect both property and the health of students, patients and staffs from the diseases and damage associated with opportunistic and resourceful pests:

• Keep food sealed and stored properly, particularly in facility kitchens and cafeterias.
• Clean high-volume areas, such as cafeterias, daily where crumbs and trash are more likely to build up. Dispose of garbage regularly and store in sealed containers or dumpsters.
• Keep storage areas well ventilated and dry.
• Seal cracks and holes on the outside of the building, including entry
points for utilities and pipes.
• Repair decaying exterior wood on buildings; some insects are drawn to deteriorating wood.
• Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around basement foundation and windows. Don’t overlook proper drainage at the foundation; install a drainage system, which will channel water away from the building.

A multiparty effort on behalf of IPM encourages a stronger commitment to assessing each situation uniquely and developing a comprehensive cure to the pest problem. IPM is most effective when there is a true partnership between school and hospital leaders and pest professionals.

Selecting a Pest Professional to Help Implement Your IPM Program
With cooperation as a must, choosing a pest professional to share in
IPM responsibilities is an important decision and one that cannot be made on price alone. Here are some recommendations that will help school and hospital administrators, in tandem with facility managers, to better understand their IPM options and allow them to make a decision that best serves their entire community:

Educate Yourself – It is critical to have a solid understanding of IPM
and the significant risks associated with pests and rodents. Two web
resources, sponsored by the National Pest Management Association, can further elaborate upon this article. 1) WhatisIPM.org offers additional information on ways to protect both health and property from pests through IPM techniques. This site also features an interactive “home” where visitors can learn IPM techniques, many of which can be applied to schools and hospitals. 2) PestWorld.org is a comprehensive site that addresses all pest-related topics. It provides pest fact sheets, public service announcements and a zip code locator to find local professionals.

Ask Questions – It is always helpful to contact other local schools or
hospitals for recommendations. “Word of mouth” references are likely honest evaluations. When meeting a prospective pest professional, ask if they practice IPM as described throughout this article. You want to find a person with whom you feel comfortable working. You are paying for professional knowledge - hire a person whose judgment you can trust.

Buy Value, Not Price – If a sizable amount of money is involved in developing your IPM program, feel free to solicit bids from several pest management firms. If a guarantee is given to you, always know what it covers, how long it lasts and what you must do to keep it in force. Keep in mind that this is a health and safety decision - the value of the service should outweigh all other factors.

A Final Note
A properly implemented IPM program – one rooted in the collaborative efforts of school and hospital leaders and a pest professional – is essential to providing a safe, healthy environment for students, patients and staffs. As more schools and hospitals begin to execute IPM programs to protect their communities and properties, this issue will no longer be one that the public has little knowledge of but rather one that will be fully understood and touted for its success.

Cindy Mannes is the vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,000 members, was established in 1933 and in 2008 celebrates its 75th anniversary of supporting the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property. For further information, visit pestworld.org.

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