Implementing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Program

This presentation was developed by the Northeastern IPM Center in conjunction with the StopPests in Housing Program available at www.stoppests.org

Safe, decent, pest-free housing

Pests cause problems

Decrease job satisfactionLower resident satisfactionBite and stingContaminate foodTransmit diseaseHitchhike on belongingsViolate housing codesTrigger/cause asthma and allergiesLead people to overreact and ignore pesticide labels

Cockroach infestation in a smoke detector

IPM fixes pest problems

Healthier buildings: Fewer asthma attacks, less exposure to pesticides, and less stress about living and working with pestsFewer complaints: A Boston Housing Authority development reduced cockroach work orders by 68% after one year of IPMFewer pests: You can stop infestations from growing and spreading disease

IPM defined

In a structural setting, an IPM program consists of1. inspection, 2. identification, 3. scaling the response to the level of infestation, 4. employment of two or more control measures

(which may be cultural, mechanical, biological, or chemical), and

5. evaluation of effectiveness (Adapted from the National Pest Management Association's Urban IPM Handbook, 2006)

Everyone has a role on the IPM team

Management oversees everyone, supports education efforts, and encourages communication among team membersSite staff make repairs to block pest entry and hidingContractors inspect, monitor, and apply pesticides when justified by pest presenceResidents prevent pest introduction, cooperate with IPM efforts, and maintain units so that pests cannot access food or waterSocial service agencies provide resources and support

IPM program plan

1. Convert the housing portfolio to IPM—site by site, beginning with an IPM pilot site

2. Inspect and monitor every unit to identify focus areas

3. Train site IPM team members using resources from www.stoppests.org

IPM program plan continued

4. Reduce pest infestation—Allocate pest control time and resources to solve pest problems in focus areas using the steps of IPM

5. Reduce the risk of pest infestation—turn units over so that they are pest-free and sealed up, continue to educate staff and residents

6. Aim for early detection and rapid response— continue to monitor and inspect

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Priority pests

Cockroaches cause asthma in infants, trigger asthma attacks, and contaminate foodRodents such as mice and rats carry diseases, bite, destroy property, may cause fires, and may trigger asthma attacksBed Bugs and their bites are a nuisance and are expensive to eliminate

Program costs

We currently pay $X per unit per month for pesticide spraying. Infestations persist.We are budgeting $XX per unit per month for the first year of IPM. This includes

Materials for caulking and sealing holesFree items for residents in need: cleaning supplies, mattress encasements, monitors, etc.An IPM contract, including inspectionand monitoring

Expected program outcomes

Increased cooperation and communication between management, staff, residents, and contractorsDecreased pesticide applicationsInfestations limited to periodic introductions that establish—no high-level infestationsIncreased partnership with outside agenciesHousing will be a community leader for pest-free initiatives

Next steps

Complete this slide with the next steps for your specific IPM implementation program