Environmental and Health Issues and Recommendations
 Less Hazardous:
Choose vendors (pest control operators or PCOs) who are trained in integrated pest management (IPM) and are skilled at preventing pest problems without resorting to routine spraying. Improper use or disposal of some pesticides may result in contamination of water bodies, groundwater, or sewage effluent.
See the Introduction for complete descriptions of these environmental and health issues.
BACKGROUND
Instead of hiring vendors (pest control operators or PCOs) to routinely spray pesticides in or around buildings, an increasing number of building managers contract out for integrated pest management (IPM) services. IPM is an approach that focuses on long-term prevention of pests and is widely used by public agencies and school districts throughout California. (The steps used to establish and carry out an IPM program are explained under Components.)
Conventional pest control. Until recently, routine spraying was thought to be insurance against insect or rodent infestations, and building managers automatically hired a monthly pest control service to spray indoors and around the building's perimeter [1] at regular intervals, whether or not pests were present. Pest management experts now recognize that this approach provides at best a temporary solution, and creates potential health and environmental risks both indoors and outdoors for building occupants who are asthmatic or chemically sensitive.
Insect and rodent pests enter and infest structures when they find food, water, access, and shelter. IPM emphasizes eliminating sources of food and water, and limiting the ways pests enter or find refuge in a building - for example, by caulking holes and cracks, removing clutter, and installing doorsweeps.
For pest control operators (PCOs) hired to practice IPM, pest prevention involves regularly inspecting buildings and grounds for conditions that attract pests. It's essential that PCOs correctly identify specific pests before trying to manage them, or efforts may be directed toward the wrong critter. [2] Along with inspection goes monitoring - a way to keep track of pests that ranges from casual observation to careful data collection using quantitative methods. PCOs then take this information and recommend how to make the building inhospitable to pests. It's essential that PCOs and building managers communicate, and that building managers educate building occupants about their role in keeping the building unattractive to pests.
IPM Practices in California's Schools. Since 1993, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has worked with school districts in the State to provide information about IPM. During this time, a few innovative districts have developed their own IPM programs. In 2001, the enactment of the Healthy Schools Act of 2000, put into place right-to-know requirements such as notification, posting, and record keeping for pesticides used at California's K-12 public schools. The law also encourages use of IPM practices that are safer for school environments, ultimately reducing children's exposure to pesticides.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH ISSUES
Pesticide Toxicity
Two different pesticide products may contain the same active ingredient, the part of the pesticide that kills the pest, but yet differ in toxicity. Acute toxicity results from a single dose or short-term exposure of a substance, and chronic toxicity by repeated small doses over a long time. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) assigns signal words (danger, warning, caution) by level of acute toxicity.
Pesticide Exposure
People can be exposed to chemicals by inhalation or through their skin, mouth, nose, or eyes. Exposure is intensified when a chemical volatilizes (evaporates). Most reported pesticide mishaps in buildings result from applications of aerosols or liquids. The volatilizing pesticide doesn't have to be toxic to cause an allergic reaction or asthma-even some botanical products can cause problems if used in a closed area. When used in cracks and crevices, baits in the form of gels or pastes are the safest bet when chemical treatment is necessary.
Do-It-Yourself Pest Management
The building manager should instruct building occupants to leave their own pesticides at home. Building policy should prohibit the use of repellents such as insecticidal ant chalk (also known as Chinese chalk), which is illegal. Ant chalk looks just like regular chalk and contains pyrethroids - pesticides that may cause illness.
Contamination of Water
Pyrethroids are insecticides popular as commercial and residential perimeter sprays. After an application, irrigation or rain may convey pyrethroids from concrete, asphalt, or landscaping into storm drains, which in most of California drain untreated directly to surface water, such as creeks and streams. Studies have shown that urban sources of pyrethroids enter surface water, where minute quantities kill aquatic organisms.
COMPONENTS
An IPM program combines several practices to prevent pest infestations. Designate a knowledgeable, trained staff member to work with the pest control operator and building-maintenance personnel to be sure IPM recommendations are followed. Here are the steps taken by pest control operators who use IPM practices:
- Identify the pest so you know how to proceed. Do you have an infestation of German cockroaches that demands immediate attention, or just harmless ground beetles that crawled into a warehouse for a few days?
- Inspect the building and its perimeter for pests. Look for conditions that encourage pests-food, water, access, and harborage. Look for evidence of the pest, damage it causes, or the pest itself.
- Monitor regularly for pests using traps. For example, sticky traps are often used to check for cockroach presence. From your catches, you can tell which species you have, and whether you have a full-blown infestation. Young roaches as well as adults indicate that roaches are reproducing nearby.
- Keep records of pest levels, date, locations, weather, and other conditions that may give rise to pests. Monitoring records should show the name of the pest and its stage, where the monitoring is taking place (a map is useful), when monitoring takes place, and who's doing the monitoring. Using a form will simplify recordkeeping; many monitoring forms are available on the Internet.
- Decide what's an acceptable level for each pest and at what point you need to take action. For example, finding one German cockroach in a kitchen would lead to the initial IPM steps of identification, inspection, and monitoring.
- Use practices that effectively manage the pest, and that pose the least hazard to human health and the environment. Preventive practices fall under the categories of good facility design [3] (also known as pest-proofing) and maintenance-exclusion, sanitation, and moisture management.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of your IPM program. Do you need to change anything you're doing?
What about emergencies? What if there's a sudden ant invasion? IPM works well preventively, but if you're faced with a surprise infestation, don't throw the IPM steps listed above out the window. Make sure you correctly identify the pest and inspect the building beyond the obvious infestation site. For most large infestations, cleaning and making simple repairs will stop access by the pest and remove food and water sources. You can use a soapy water solution to clean up ant trails, or a vacuum cleaner to suck up cockroaches.
LAWS AND GUIDELINES
California
Statute
IPM for State Buildings. Existing state law (AB 2472, Chapter 242, Statutes of 2003) provides that it is the policy of the State to protect public health and safety in a manner that complements sustainability as an extension of resource conservation. It also states that the safe handling, reduction, or elimination of pesticide use in state buildings and on state lands is an important step in providing all state employees and members of the public with a safe, healthy environment.
Healthy Schools Act. The Healthy Schools Act of 2000 is a right-to-know law that applies only to K-12 public schools.
Structural Pest Control Board. The Board was created in 1935 to regulate the practice of structural pest control, provide for the registration and licensing of Pest Control Operators, and protect the public in the practice of structural pest control. The Structural Pest Control Act is available on the Board's Web site.
Federal
Visit the U.S. EPA's Web site for information on federal laws that regulate pesticides. Please note that "Individuals applying pesticides must do so in a manner not only consistent with federal laws, but also consistent with state laws and regulations which differ from state to state. In general, states have primary authority for compliance monitoring and enforcing against use of pesticides in violation of the labeling requirements." [4]
PERFORMANCE
Hiring a vendor who uses IPM practices will ensure that pests in and around your building are managed safely and effectively. It's likely that the vendor will recommend cleaning up areas and making repairs; it is essential that these recommendations are carried out. Keep in mind that IPM is preventive, and vendors cannot manage pests without the participation of building managers and occupants, or pest problems will persist. Simple changes may include cleaning up break rooms and not overwatering plants. More complex and expensive changes may involve patching holes and crevices, sealing floor drains and vents, and installing doorsweeps. Some vendors may agree to include training sessions for office and maintenance staff.
AVAILABILITY
California does not yet provide special certification for vendors trained in IPM practices, but in 2006, draft standards will form the basis of a pilot certification program for structural IPM. Refer to Specifications for tips on selecting knowledgeable and experienced IPM professionals.
COST
Most public agencies that have switched to an IPM approach have in the long run experienced reduced pest management costs. Sometimes costs rise during the transition period as new equipment is acquired or building upgrades are implemented. IPM can reduce costs by eliminating regular pesticide spraying, but those savings may be redirected toward preventive practices, such as training employees, inspecting for pests, and investing in building and landscaping improvements. Improved maintenance-better sanitation and making repairs-will help make the building more attractive to everyone except pests. When the City of Santa Monica switched to an IPM approach in 1996 for all city facilities, costs were 30 percent lower than the conventional approach used previously. In Cape May County (pdf, 435 kb), New Jersey, IPM adoption saved nearly $45,000 between 1993 and 1998 for combined structural and landscape IPM programs.
SPECIFICATIONS
California
Sample Language
Thorough specifications help eliminate low bidding by firms unwilling to use an IPM approach. The city of Santa Monica requested vendors to demonstrate their qualifications by submitting the following information:
- Résumés of service technicians or relevant subcontractors who will be on site to service the account or supply technical support.
- A description of experience in the design or implementation of IPM programs (including specifics about the types of equipment and products used to control pests).
- A list of clients receiving IPM service from the company.
- A description of training provided to clients.
- A summary of all regulatory inspections and violations in the past five years and the company's response to any violations.
Examples
Various cities and counties in California. During 2006, cities and counties in the San Francisco Bay Area and part of the Sacramento Valley will compile sample contract language for structural and landscape IPM that includes requests for proposals or qualifications, and specifications. Until the city and county samples are posted on the Urban Pesticide Pollution Prevention (UP3) Web site, see the federal General Services Administration specifications linked below.
Other States
Maryland
Maryland Public Schools. Integrated Pest Management in Schools: Contracting Guidelines for IPM Services in Maryland Public Schools (pdf, 736 kb). This 110-page document, published in 2001, covers General Contract Components on pages 5-15.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Public Schools. Things to consider when hiring a professional pest control operator. 2000. Tips adapted from the General Services Administration (see below).
Federal
- General Services Administration (GSA). Integrated Pest Management Program Contract Guide Specification. 2005 Revision.
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA): IPM Contract Performance Specifications (pdf, 24 kb). This five-page summary is modified for schools and adapted from the GSA specifications.
VENDORS
See Availability.
SUCCESS STORIES
City of Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica's IPM program (pdf, 513 kb) began as an effort to reduce the use of all toxic substances by the city to safeguard both the environment and the health of city workers. The city began by consulting IPM experts, developed criteria for hiring contractors, suggested appropriate training for city staff, and solicited input from facility managers of city buildings. The Request for Qualifications developed by this process is the benchmark in California for hiring vendors who do IPM. The initial process was set up as follows: Once vendors qualified, they completed a Request for Proposal that required descriptions of how the vendor would manage pests such as Norway rats, German cockroaches, and pharaoh ants. They also had to list management options for nine pests and rank the options in order of lowest to highest risk to human health and the environment. Next, the vendors met for a walk-through tour of a building as a way to demonstrate their IPM know-how. Knowledge of IPM practices and technical expertise had priority over cost.
City and County of San Francisco, California
San Francisco's Pesticide Program, established by an IPM ordinance in 2001, was enacted to reduce the use of pesticides on city property by city departments, agencies, and contractors.
The IPM ordinance prohibits use of toxic pesticides including carcinogens and reproductive toxins, and requires the posting of notices and contact information to inform the public whenever a pesticide is used on city property. The city's pest control contractor has eliminated the use of pesticides in more than 50 percent of visits to city buildings. City staff have received extensive training in alternative practices for managing pests and are using tools such as green flamers, containerized baiting systems, insect growth regulators, weed cloth, and mulches.
Marin County, California
Successful implementation of IPM programs by Marin County departments has resulted in significant reduction in pesticide use. The Marin County Civic Center cafeteria has eliminated liquid and aerosol pesticides. They now perform routine pest monitoring to prevent pest problems in the food service areas, and, when necessary, use reduced-risk baits and traps.
RESOURCES AND WEBSITES
California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR)
Sacramento, California
(916) 445-4300
The California School IPM Web site was created by DPR as part of its implementation of the Healthy Schools Act of 2000. At the site, you will find a variety of documents, Web links, and other resources related to the Act and to integrated pest management in schools.
California Structural Pest Control Board
Sacramento, California
(916) 561-8700
The California Structural Pest Control Board licenses PCOs.
Pest Control Operators of California, the trade organization for PCOs, supports the use of IPM instead of traditional pest control, particularly in sensitive sites such as schools, hospitals, and restaurants.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)
Washington, DC
(202) 272-0167
The U.S. EPA maintains an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Schools web site.
Armed Forces Pest Management Board Technical Guide No. 29. 2003. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in and Around Buildings. This 25-page guide covers structural and wood-destroying pests.
Brosseau, G. 2003. Less-Toxic Pest Management: Finding a Company That Can Prevent Pest Problems. Our Water Our World, 2-page fact sheet. (pdf, 102 kb)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District. 2004. Pesticides and Water Quality. Our Water Our World, 2-page fact sheet. (pdf, 101 kb)
Davidson, N. and S. Simmons. 2005. Curriculum for Structural IPM. California Department of Pesticide Regulation. 47 pp. A curriculum for school facility directors and staff; describes how to prevent and manage structural pest infestations. (pdf, 3,168 kb)
Drlik, T. and B. Brandenburg. 2006. Draft standards for Certification in Structural Pest Management. Once completed, will form the basis of a pilot certification program for structural IPM.
Flint, M.L., S. Daar & R. Molinar. 2003. Establishing Integrated Pest Management Policies and Programs: A Guide for Public Agencies. ANR Pub. 8093. 13 pp. Adoption of a written IPM plan is an important first step in implementing integrated pest management practices. This publication takes you through the process, step by step. (pdf, 129 kb)
O'Connor-Marer, Pat. 2006. Residential, Industrial, and Institutional Pest Control, 2nd Ed. ANR Pub. 3334. 242 pp. A compendium on managing structural, food, and fabric pests, rodents, birds, and weeds.
Quarles, W., B. Brandenburg, and T. Drlik. 2002. Pest Control Operator (PCO) IPM Program Evaluation. A 50-page study that identifies challenges to widespread acceptance of IPM among PCOs. (pdf, 789 kb)
[1] Pest control operators commonly include perimeter treatments as part of their monthly service. A pesticide, usually a pyrethroid, is sprayed around the building's foundation to kill ants, other insects, and spiders. Although the treatment may kill some exposed insects-including foraging ant workers-and spiders quickly, ant queens hidden underground escape the spray and continue to reproduce. Perimeter treatments are repeated regularly to give the impression that pests are under control.
[2] One well-known example involves field cockroaches, a species that normally lives and reproduces outdoors in many parts of California. Field cockroaches resemble German cockroaches, which are the most common indoor roach species. During dry fall weather, field roaches may come inside buildings. Installing weather stripping around doors will probably prevent their movement indoors, but putting out baits would be unnecessary.
[3] Buildings should be constructed to keep out pests, eliminate places where pests can live, and make easy cleaning possible.
[4] United States Environmental Protection Agency. Pesticide Compliance and Enforcement Web site. Available at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/enforcement/index.htm.
Special Note: Portions of the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Best Practices Manual were borrowed or adapted from the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of Minnesota.
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