EBOM-v5 EQc8: Integrated Pest Management 1 point

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Intent

To minimize pest problems and exposure to pesticides.

Requirements

Option 1. In-House Integrated Pest Management Program (1 point)
The building and grounds must have in place an integrated pest management (IPM) plan. The IPM plan must include the following elements:

• Identification of an IPM team: Identify roles for building management, pest management contractors, maintenance staff, and liaisons with building occupants. Review social responsibility reports for any pest management service providers to ensure they are using a legal and properly trained workforce and addressing other social responsibility aspects.
• Provisions for annually identifying and monitoring pests: Specify inspections, pest population monitoring, and a reporting system that allows occupants, maintenance staff, and others to report evidence of pest infestations.
• Pest management thresholds: Specify thresholds to take pest management actions for all pests likely to be encountered in the building. Include a process for modifying action thresholds, as necessary, through active communication between occupants and the IPM team.
• Pest control methods: Identify pest management thresholds to be used when action thresholds are exceeded. For each pest, list all potential control methods considered and preferentially adopt the lowest-risk options, considering the risks to the applicator, building occupants, and the environment, as well as the risks of incomplete pest control. When pesticides must be used, first specify the use of least-risk pesticides.
• Nonchemical pest preventive measures: Use nonchemical pest preventive measures either designed into the structure or implemented as part of the pest management activities.
• Identification of least-risk pesticides: Determine least-risk pesticides based on inherent hazard and exposure potential, using a hazard review process such as the San Francisco Pesticide Hazard Screening Protocol.¹¹⁹  If a pesticide that is not in the least-risk category is selected, document the reason.
• Documentation protocol: Choose a mechanism for documentation of inspection, monitoring, prevention, and control methods and for evaluation of the effectiveness of the IPM plan. Specify the metrics by which performance will be measured and describe the quality assurance process to evaluate and verify successful implementation of the plan.
• Communication protocol: Establish a strategy for communications between the IPM team and the building occupants (for schools, faculty and staff). This strategy must include education about the IPM plan, participation in problem-solving, feedback mechanisms (e.g., a system for recording pest complaints), tracking repairs aimed at preventing pests, and a provision for notification of pesticide applications. At a minimum, the facility manager must notify any building occupant or employee who requests the IPM plan and post a sign at the application site (with pesticide name, EPA registration number [or local equivalent], and date of application), which must remain in place for at least 24 hours prior to application and 24 hours after notification.

OR

Option 2. Certified Integrated Pest Management Service (1 point)
Use a fully licensed pest management contractor to provide IPM services for the building. The company must be certified and in good standing with GreenPro,¹²⁰ EcoWise,¹²¹ GreenShield,¹²² or a local equivalent, and the service provided must constitute a certified service. If chemical pesticides are under consideration for landscaped areas within the project boundary, use a contractor with appropriate licensure (e.g., as a pest control advisor or qualified applicator) to manage these areas.