WHAT IS IPM?

Self-Guided Module

Introduction to IPMLesson 1 of 4

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Learning Objectives

1. Describe IPM in understandable terms.

2. Describe how IPM reduces the risks of pests and pesticides.

3. Explain the benefits of IPM in schools and other sensitive environments.

4. Identify the key elements of IPM.

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IPM is a process that minimizes risks related to managing pest populations.

Pests need food, water and shelter. By knowing that, we can use common sense to improve sanitation and building maintenance to keep pests from thriving in our facilities and on our grounds.

Communication: making sure everyone knows how important IPM is and how they can help is a key part of IPM.

Definition of IPM

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How IPM reduces the risks of pests and pesticides.  

Two facts support the need for a well managed IPM program:

1. Children play on the floor and on the ground and put fingers in mouths which can increase potential for exposure to pests and pesticides.

2. Children are more sensitive to the effects of pesticides, due to their growing and developing bodies.

IPM practices help reduce student exposure to pests and pesticides.

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Pest management problems in schools are common and include excessive and hazardous pesticide use and unchecked pest problems.

An independent evaluation of 29 school systems in more than 14 states revealed that almost half violated legal requirements or district policies for pest control (IPM Institute of North America, 2011).

How IPM Reduces the Risks of Pests and Pesticides.  

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2.

Asthma affects nearly 9.5% of school children nationally (CDC, 2011).

Exposure to pests, rodents, cockroaches, dust mites, and molds and mildew can trigger asthma.

US EPA and the Centers for Disease Control recommend IPM in schools to reduce asthma problems.

How IPM Reduces the Risks of Pests and Pesticides.  

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2.

Schools using IPM have lower pesticide residues and allergen levels, often with no more costs than schools receiving conventional pesticide applications.

An IPM approach focuses on fixing the problems that lead to pest infestations in the first place.

How IPM Reduces the Risks of Pests and Pesticides.  

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Benefits of School IPM

IPM protects human and environmental health by reducing exposure to pests and pesticides.

IPM improves indoor air quality; there are fewer allergens.

A healthier environment reduces the number of missed school days for students and staff.

3.

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Benefits of School IPM

Fewer pests reduces stress, improving morale and staff satisfaction.

IPM supports healthier, more comfortable and productive students and staff.

IPM gives long-term control of pests, often with no long-term increase in cost.

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Check Point

IPM can be used the following situation(s):A) AgriculturalB) ResidentialC) Both of the above

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4.

 

Key Elements of IPM

Pest identification: Knowing which pest is

present tells you what that pest needs to thrive in your school.

Whether or not an organism is a “pest” depends on where you find it: termites are essential decomposers and recyclers of wood in nature. But in a building, termites can be expensive pests. 

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4.

 

Key Elements of IPM

Monitoring and thresholds: To detect problems early,

IPM programs involve monitoring for pests in particular areas.

“Action thresholds” are sometimes set. When the number of pests hits your action threshold its time to do something about it. For some pests the action threshold is one.

Sticky Monitor Trap

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Focus on prevention:

Improving sanitation reduces access to food.

Dirty floor drains provide food and shelter for flies, ants and cockroaches.

Key Elements of IPM

Dirty Floor Drain

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Maintenance: Improving maintenance such as

improperly installed or damaged door sweeps and seals prevents pest access to the building. This is often called “pest-proofing”.

Effective door sweeps can cut pest complaints by 65%.

Key Elements of IPM

This pest could have been stopped by a door sweep!

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Key Elements of IPM

A pest sighting log can help school staff report and respond to pest problems.

Pest monitors in pest vulnerable areas (PVA’s) can provide an early warning.

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Sample Pest Sighting Log

Date Time

Location

Pest # of Pests

Person Reporting Sightings

Action Taken Date Action Completed/ Person

6/1/13 11 am

Classroom 2b

Pavement ants

5 Mrs. Smith, Teacher of 2b

Sealed entryway 1/2/13Mr. Burns, Lead Maintenance staff

6/3/13 8 am Kitchen pantry

German cockroach

1 adult

Ms. Brown, Kitchen manager

Removed cardboard, placed additional monitoring traps to determine if cockroach came in with recent delivery

1/3/13Mr. Jacobs, Contract PMP

6/5/13 7 pm Admin office

American cockroaches

2 adults

Mr. Jones, Lead custodian

Replaced external doorway sweep

1/6/13Mr. Jones, Lead custodian

6/9/13 8 pm Outdoor athletics storage

Widow spider in webbing

1 adult

Mr. Jones, Lead custodian

Vacuumed web, spider and egg sacs, sealed void associated with web

6/10/13Mr. Jones, Lead custodian

6/9/13 9 pm Booster club storage

Mouse 1 Ms. Frantic, Parent volunteer

Reduced clutter, improved sanitation levels, stopped volunteers propping door open during afterschool events

6/14/13Mr. Jones, Lead custodian

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Check Point

What determines if an organism is a pest? A) How many are found.B) Where they are found.C) Both of the above.

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Key Elements of IPM

More IPM tools Naming and training an IPM Coordinator

establishes leadership. Writing a school-board- approved IPM Policy

provides direction. Drafting an IPM Plan organizes your pest

management practices for your common pest problems.

IPM training teaches your school administrators, faculty, food service staff, maintenance and custodial staff, students, nurses, health aides and parents how to prevent pest problems.

Regular IPM communications, e.g., Pest Presses, can alert staff and students to timely prevention.

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Key Elements of IPM

Don’t reinvent the wheel. Form partnerships with:

Universities Extension Your department of agriculture or

health Your pest management professional Non-governmental organizations

working to improve environmental health and safety

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Click on the apple to review what you’ve learned so far!

Review1. How is IPM defined?2. Why is IPM effective?3. What are the benefits of IPM?4. What are the key elements of

IPM ?

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Check Point

Some pests have lower thresholds than others, this is due to:A) How much it costs to

implement IPM.B) Health related concerns.C) How difficult it is to identify

them.

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Check In!

In this lesson you learned1. Describe IPM in understandable terms.2. Describe how IPM reduces the risks of

pests and pesticides. 3. Explain the benefits of IPM in schools and

other sensitive environments.4. Identify the key elements of IPM.

Next you will learn why to do IPM!

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Resources

Arizona Cooperative Extension. (2009). Integrated Pest Management: The most effective way to manage pests in your school. Retrieved from http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/insects/az1234.pdf

Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Asthma. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm

Gouge, D.H., M. L. Lame, and J. L. Snyder. (2006). Use of an implementation model and diffusion process for establishing Integrated Pest Management in Arizona schools. American Entomologist, 52(3): 190-196.

Greene, A., and N. L. Breisch. (2002). Measuring integrated pest management programs for public buildings. Journal of Economic Entomology 95: 1-13.

Illinois Department of Public Health. (1994). Integrated management of structural pests in schools. Retrieved from http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pdf/imsps.pdf

IPM Institute of North America. (2011). The Business Case for Integrated Pest Management in Schools: Cutting Costs and Increasing Benefits. Retrieved from http://www.ipminstitute.org/school_ipm_2015/ipm_business_case.pdf

University of Nebraska, Lincoln Extension. (2006). An Introduction to Integrated Pest Management. Retrieved from http://pestfiles.unl.edu/concepts.swf

USDA. (2013). National Roadmap for Integrated Pest Management. Retrieved from http://www.csrees.usda.gov/nea/pest/pdfs/nat_ipm_roadmap.pdf

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Helpful Links!

Pest Management Strategic Plan for Schools eXtension Pest Management In and Around Structures http://www.northeastipm.org/bmps-for-school-ipm/