Basic IPM Concepts & Implementation Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management Program (215) x109 Website:

 How cockroaches & mice trigger asthma  Reduce risk by reducing pesticide use, and choosing pesticides carefully.  Use multiple tools to get effective control of pests  Clean up food, water and places to hide  How to exclude common pests (excluding bed bugs)  Why not to use aerosols, foggers and rodenticides.  The team nature of IPM 9/2011

9/ Keep It: 1. Dry 2. Clean 3. Ventilated 4. Pest-Free 5. Safe 6. Contaminant-Free 7. Maintained

 All structures shall be kept free from insect and rodent infestation.  All structures in which insects or rodents are found shall be promptly managed by approved processes that will not be injurious to human health.  Proper precautions shall be taken to prevent reinfestation. 4

“Any destructive or troublesome organism”  Affect public health  Destroy food or property  Create a nuisance Something we don’t like, where we don’t want it! 9/ Rodent-chewed wire – fire hazard! Mice can get everywhere!

 Asthma: rate has doubled in 20 years: 10%+ ◦ Main cause of lost school days  Pests are main triggers of asthma in urban areas – allergens in their waste: ◦ Dust mites ◦ Cockroaches ◦ Mice  Spread infectious diseases  Health effects greater on children 9/2011

 Bites – piercing the skin barrier ◦ Mosquitoes, ticks, bedbugs, flies  Rats – fewer than in ‘70’s ◦ Up to half a million bites each year! ◦ Mostly sleeping babies ◦ Rats lick food off the babies face ◦ Rat Bite Fever- infections & fever  Rabies 9/ Mosquito bites Rat bites, multiple

9/2011

Pests often cause allergies and can trigger other “atopic” (environmental) responses ◦ Asthma ◦ Chronic rhinitis ◦ Eczema ◦ Food allergies ◦ Other allergies These can interact and trigger; commonly coexist Environmental conditions more important than genetics 9/2011

 Pest triangle: ◦ Food ◦ Water ◦ Harborage  Someplace to hide & nest  Ideally warm 9/ WaterFood Conducive Conditions for Pests Nest

 American Housing Survey (2007): ◦ Rats - about 1% (1.4% low-income) ◦ Mice - about 5.5% (8.5% low-income)  Community Asthma Prevention Program (Philadelphia, 2007): ◦ Mice- 72% ◦ Cockroaches – 62%  National Allergy & Asthma Surveys (2002-6): ◦ Mice allergens -83% (95% low-income) ◦ Cockroach allergens – 85% ◦ Rat allergens – 33% of inner-city homes 9/ Rat feces in insulation Roach frass under sink

 Prevention ◦ Identification ◦ Exclusion & Denial  Sanitation ◦ Food & Water  Physical controls ◦ Chemical controls  Ongoing monitoring 9/2011

 Preferred in homes  Use many tools  Control conditions  Least risk to kids, pets & the environment  Economic sustainability  Make sure it’s working 9/ Effective control Least riskEconomic Monitor & evaluate Multiple tactics

 Too many pests can drive people to unsafe use of pesticides ◦ Too much: poisoning  Especially children! ◦ Too many: chronic effects  Long term: residues ◦ Wrong kind  Unsafe & Illegal pesticides – Tres pasitos; Chinese chalk 9/2011

 In 2007, Poison Control Centers reported 16,000 pesticide exposures requiring treatment.  Store pesticides and other poisons where children can’t reach!  95% of all of poisoning of children under age 6 occurred in their own home! 15

9/ The IPM Pyramid Biological controls Pesticides Physical / Mechanical controls Design / Sanitation Practices

Invest Protect Maintain

 Starting IPM may mean more work because of education, repairs, and monitoring.  Expect to see increased work orders as pests and pest-friendly conditions that were previously overlooked are reported.  THEN…you will get fewer complaints, have fewer pests, and be providing a better place to live.

Requires understanding three things: 1. The building itself, 2. The people interacting with the building, and 3. The associated pest complex(es). 9/ Photo: Daniel R. Suiter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Photo: OSU/School IPM Photo: PA IPM

1. Inspection & Identification 2. Exclusion & Denial 3. Education 4. Sanitation 5. Physical control 6. Monitoring 9/2011

 Thorough inspection ◦ Exterior ◦ Interior ◦ Focus Areas  Identification of pests found ◦ Experienced field personnel ◦ Field guides ◦ Urban entomologist 9/2011

9/ Rat burrow entrance In this picture, rat proofing did not work… You need to get down on the ground and peer under the pipe to see the …

 Inspection  Stoppage – keep ‘em out ◦ Door sweeps ◦ ¼’ gap or hole  Fill cracks, crevasses & holes ◦ Silicone Caulk ◦ Expanding foam ◦ Stuff-It mesh ◦ Spackle, etc 9/2011

 Understand pests  What needs to be controlled, how, when  Safe control - not unsafe practices!  Educating residents  Working with pest control technicians 9/2011

 Clean up: ◦ Food - storage ◦ Water ◦ Harborage  Dishes in sink  Pet food  Trash cans 9/ Photo: City of Houston Bureau of Children’s and Environmental Health

 Essential for insects & rats ◦ Not for mice or bedbugs  Mosquitoes ◦ Standing water  Damages the building ◦ Gutter & roof leaks ◦ Leaks from outside ◦ Plumbing & interior leaks  Sink trap; plumbing entry 9/ Photo: City of Houston Bureau of Children’s and Environmental Health

 Identify & assess problem  Same strategy ◦ Food, water, harborage  Different tactics – pest specific ◦ Traps ◦ Baits for insects (not rodents) ◦ Dusts (boric acid & DE) 9/ Photo: City of Houston Bureau of Children’s and Environmental Health

 Enclosed, tamper-proof roach baits ◦ Baits are attractive when there are no competing food sources  Gels applied in small dabs in cracks & crevasses  Some dusts (boric acid; DE)  Glueboards and Snap Traps  Use non-toxic “green” cleaning products 9/2011

 Pesticides must be EPA registered (number)  Read the label!  The label is the law!  Don’t use more than the label says  Don’t mix pesticides or chemicals  Don’t treat someone else’s home  Don’t use foggers or aerosols 9/2011

1. Pest control supervisor 2. IPM Policy 3. Educate building management staff 4. Educate building occupants 5. Determine contract provisions 6. Record keeping & evaluation 30

 NOT the Pest Control Technician! ◦ They give technical advice & service  You tell them where pests are ◦ Staff, cleaners, repair, groundsmen… or customers!  General Manager – or ◦ Pest Mgmt Coordinator 9// Remember word of mouth!

 Develop and enforce policies and procedures  Hire a qualified pest management professional (PMP) that uses IPM with a contract that pays for success  Manage PMP  Monitor and maintain facilities  Identify problems, especially with housekeeping and sanitation  Delegate the solutions  Track complaints and program performance  Encourage a reporting system 32 The property manager – not the PMP – is responsible for IPM

 Written, Publicized & Discussed! ◦ What – is IPM ◦ Why – is the building committed to IPM ◦ Who – needs to participate ◦ How – time, plans contract provisions, responsibilities 33

 Seal cracks  Eliminate leakage  Fix moisture problems  Install barriers to pest entry and movement  Monitor common areas for pests  Report observations, problems, and actions  Possibly assist with area preparation 34

 The eyes! Report problems!  Keep common areas clean and sanitary (especially trash chutes and dumpsters)  Trash pick-up after any communal meals in/around buildings  Trash not left overnight – esp. outside  Monitor for pests and report problems 35

 Recycling  Waste management  Custodial  Landscape design & maintenance  Renovation & construction  Building repair  Food service  HVAC  Electrical  Plumbing  Roofing  Office workers  Residents 36

37 4. Educate Building Occupants  Prepare areas for PMP visit according to instructions, (may require assistance)  Follow policy & lease regarding ◦ Housekeeping ◦ Sanitation ◦ Trash removal and storage  Report presence of pests, leaks and mold  Monitor area for problems

This... Leads to THIS!!! 38

39 ProblemSolution DateWhat was seen? InitialsDateWhat was done? Initials

 “ Lowest qualified bidder” – not lowest bid! ◦ Price not sole criterion for choice of provider ◦ Multi-year contract spreads costs, builds commitment  Licensed & insured  References  Management & recommendations  Evaluation  Training - ??  Pesticide usage limitations 40

 Green Shield (IPM Institute of North America) ◦  Green Pro (NPMA) ◦  EcoWise (California) ◦

 Follow contract and get paid  Communicate with staff and tenants  Inspect and monitor for pests  Identify pests  Recommend pest-proofing management strategies ◦ Sanitation ◦ Exclusion ◦ Mechanical controls ◦ Apply pesticides if needed; assuring they are legal, effective, compatible and least-risk of exposure formulations  Document everything: observations, pesticide usage, suggestions  Follow-up quickly when needed 42

Standard Methods:  Sanitation!  Exclusion  Baits & Gels  IGRs  Desiccating dusts  Traps Avoid:  Aerosols  Foggers  Regular (monthly or quarterly) spraying  Use of unlicensed staff to apply pesticides  Tenants using pesticides 43

Monitor for pests (especially rats) Report problems Minimize use of pesticides on grounds Plant choice Grows with minimal chemical assistance Doesn’t offer coverage for rat travel and burrowing Plant placement Never touching the building So that plants don’t have to compete for sunlight Plant maintenance Mow grass high: 3-4” Mulch grass clippings Never use pesticides only for aesthetics 44 Good Shapes – enable visibility of the ground Bad Shapes – make it hard to see ground, litter and possible burrows.

 Building manager reports of pest sightings and collaboration in control efforts  PMP Service Reports – details of work performed and supplied used ◦ Are they spraying frequently? ◦ Other unapproved chemicals/procedures? ◦ Efficacy?  Quarterly & annual reviews - meet with PMP  Act on recommendations! 45

 An inspection and monitoring system that finds pests early.  A reporting system that identifies areas for improvement.  Areas that are prepared to get an effective treatment.  Communication that empowers all.  Fewer pests and a healthier environment. 46

 What do pests want?  Sanitation  Exclusion & Denial  Physical control – traps  Least-toxic – dusts & IGR  Least exposure – baits & gels, Bt, etc  Avoid sprays, esp. foggers! 9/ WaterFood Conducive Conditions for Pests Nest

 Review current pest management contract. ◦ Is it a preventative, reduced-risk IPM protocol?  Inspect buildings for conditions conducive to pest entry and sustenance.  Prioritize & schedule remediation.  Communicate with residents ◦ Are they having pest problems? ◦ How can you help each other solve pest issues?  Create team protocols for pest prevention. 9/2011

Acknowledgements: Alexis Barbarin, Allison Taisey, Brenda Reyes, Changlu Wang, Coby Schal, Dini Miller, Gene Harrington, Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, Liz Kasameyer, Louise Bugbee, Marty Overline, Mike Sands, Nancy Crider, Phil Koehler, Rhonda Griffin, Rick Cooper, Susan Aceti, Tom Neltner and all the others who provided photos, information and advice.

Dion Lerman, HHS Penn State University