1. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) a. IPM - A process through which pest risk is minimized while simultaneously minimizing risk associated with pest treatment. IPM involves making steps based on all available information to ensure the most appropriate treatment method is employed, and that building occupants are protected from the potential dangers of pests and pesticides. b. Risk of pest exposure – Pests present health hazards to the occupants of school buildings. These hazards exist in the form of insect stings or bites, rodent feces and urine, allergens generated and/or dispersed by insects or rodents, and many more. c. Risk of pesticide exposure - Depending on toxicity of the pesticide and level of exposure, pesticides can cause severe harmful effects to people’s nervous systems, respiratory systems, metabolic systems, and endocrine systems. d. IPM Strategy versus applying pesticides - IPM involves preventing pest problems, treating only documented pest problems, treating pest problems through precision targeting (placing treatments only where the pests are present) with the least toxic product and technique. 2. Pest Prevention a. Exclusion - A method of keeping pests out of structures, which includes, but is not limited to; installing door sweeps to exterior doors to prevent pests from entering, installing hardware cloth to any appropriate opening in structures such as air vents, and sealing of exterior windows with appropriate caulking material. The contractor will document the problem and alert WPS when these types of activities are necessary through their Vendor Service Reports shown in Appendix 2. b. Sanitation - Sanitation is critical in pest management because it is often the food debris which attracts pests. Sanitation improvements which help prevent pests include but are not limited to; placing plastic liners in garbage cans and removing them daily, placing the dumpster (s) away from any entrance to the structure, keeping dumpster lids closed, proper cleaning of the food handling and preparation area daily, and eliminating water sources available to pests in all structures. The contractor will alert WPS when these types of activities are necessary through their Vendor Service Reports shown in Appendix 2. 3. Treatment a. As-Needed Treatments. Only after a pest infestation has been documented through inspection and/or monitoring should a treatment be initiated. i. Inspection involves a thorough examination of structures to; identify pests, document pest infestation levels and evidence of pest activity, and identify potential pest encouraging and supportive circumstances. ii. Monitoring is a technique to evaluate the presence/absence of pests, the identification of pests, the extent and location of pest infestations. iii. Treatment includes any action that serves to eliminate, reduce or exclude pest populations. b. Least Toxic Treatment Methods i. Non-chemical treatments - Examples include but are not limited to: vacuum devices or mechanical traps, and non-chemical treatments such as structural modifications and sanitation measures. ii. Chemical treatments - Products must be based on the exempted products list allowed per compliance with the Massachusetts Act Protecting Children and Families from Harmful Pesticides. iii. Products shall be compliant with FDA Food Code page 161 7-202.12 Conditions of Use as shown below.
