5.1: Integrated Pest Management

(10 points)

GREEN GLOBES #5.1.1 Has an integrated pest management policy been developed for the interior space that includes roles and responsibilities? 

• Yes (10 points) 
• No (0 points)

Tooltip

Verify that an Integrated Pest Management plan is signed off on and in place.

Assessment Guidance

The University of California, Davis, describes Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as follows:

"An ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are used only after monitoring indicates they are needed according to established guidelines, and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism. Pest control materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and non-target organisms, and the environment."

A comprehensive IPM plan would include: 

• Identification of type of likely or identified pests, and the potential damage, health risks, or other hazards they pose. 
• Rationale for mitigation of pests (addressing the problems pests are likely to cause). 
• Description of pest management mitigation and control methods for each anticipated type of pest (insecticides and alternatives, and others).
• Addressing the environmental impacts (toxicity for example) introduced by proposed pest management methods. 
• Requirements for purchases, storage, application of pest management materials, such as pesticides, fungicides, traps, and other containment/elimination methods. 
• Description of the roles and responsibilities of those assigned to manage and carry out the Integrated Pest Management plan. 
• Process for review and update of the plan. 
• Documentation requirements for reporting/recording pest infestation incidents and the outcomes of pest management interventions.

The IPM plan should also include strategies for the following: 

• Building and maintaining healthy soils 
• Site-appropriate plants 
• Efficient watering practices 
• Integrated pest management 
• Natural lawn-care management 
• Building design features that minimize potential pest entry 
• Specifications for pest control products that can be used on the project site, preferably non-toxic 
• Building notification for when toxic pesticides are applied on site 
• Contracting of a Green Shield Certified pest control vendor (www.greenshieldcertified.org)

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