Definition of Verifiable School IPM

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks. This definition is found in U.S. Code at 7 U.S.C. 136r-1.

IPM for Pests of Animals and Humans: The options for pest control include cultural tools like good sanitation and habitat change, physical – mechanical tools like flea/lice combs, screens and proper clothing, biological tools like predators and parasites, and chemical tools like conventional pesticides that kill on contact, and biorational pesticides like repellents, oils and microbials. These interventions start with prevention and move toward increasing intervention. The level of potential toxicity also increases as one moves from prevention to intervention.

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Verifiable school IPM is an ongoing activity that includes these documented elements:

Understanding your pests.
Setting action thresholds for key pests – knowing when to take action against key pests.
Monitoring for pests, their locations and populations.
Removing conditions that allow pest infestations.
Using one or more effective pest control methods including sanitation, structural maintenance, and nonchemical methods in place or in combination with pesticides.