Lesson 1 of 4
Self-Guided Module
Introduction to IPM

Learning Objectives
2
1.
2.
3.
4.
Describe IPM in understandable terms.
Describe how IPM reduces the risks of pests and pesticides.
Explain the benefits of IPM in schools and other sensitive environments.
Identify the key elements of IPM.

Definition of IPM
3
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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.

How IPM reduces the risks of pests and pesticides.
4
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.

How IPM Reduces the Risks of Pests and Pesticides.
5

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).

2.
How IPM Reduces the Risks of Pests and Pesticides.
6



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.

2.
How IPM Reduces the Risks of Pests and Pesticides.
7


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.

3.
Benefits of School IPM
8

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.

Benefits of School IPM
9

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.

10
Check Point
IPM can be used the following situation(s):
A)
Agricultural
B)
C)
Residential
Both of the above

4.
Key Elements of IPM
11
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.

4.
Key Elements of IPM
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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

13
Key Elements of IPM
Focus on prevention:

Improving sanitation reduces access to food.

Dirty floor drains provide food and shelter for flies, ants and cockroaches.
Dirty Floor Drain

Key Elements of IPM
14
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%.
This pest could have been stopped by a door sweep!

Key Elements of IPM
15

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.

Sample Pest Sighting Log
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Date Time Locatio n
Pest
6/1/13 11 am Classroom
2b
Pavement ants
6/3/13 8 am Kitchen pantry
German cockroach
# of
Pests
Person
Reporting
Sightings
Action Taken Date Action
Completed/
Person
5
1 adult
Mrs. Smith, Teacher of 2b
Ms. Brown, Kitchen manager
Sealed entryway
Removed cardboard, placed additional monitoring traps to determine if cockroach came in with recent delivery
1/2/13
Mr. Burns, Lead
Maintenance staff
1/3/13
Mr. Jacobs,
Contract PMP
6/5/13
6/9/13 8 pm Outdoor athletics storage
6/9/13
7 pm
9 pm
Admin office
Booster club storage
American cockroaches
Widow spider in webbing
Mouse
2 adults
1 adult
1
Mr. Jones, Lead custodian
Mr. Jones, Lead custodian
Ms. Frantic, Parent volunteer
Replaced external doorway sweep
Vacuumed web, spider and egg sacs, sealed void associated with web
1/6/13
Mr. Jones, Lead custodian
6/10/13
Mr. Jones, Lead custodian
Reduced clutter, improved sanitation levels, stopped volunteers propping door open during afterschool events
6/14/13
Mr. Jones, Lead custodian

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

Key Elements of IPM
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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.

Key Elements of IPM
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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

20
Click on the apple to review what you’ve learned so far!
Review
1.
How is IPM defined?
2.
Why is IPM effective?
3.
What are the benefits of IPM?
4.
What are the key elements of IPM ?

21
Check Point
Some pests have lower thresholds than others, this is due to:
A)
B)
How much it costs to implement
IPM.
Health related concerns.
C)
How difficult it is to identify them.

Check In!
22
In this lesson you learned
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.
Next you will learn why to do IPM!

Resources
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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

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