CASE STUDIES IN SCHOOL IPM - Download all as PDF
GRANVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS
Coordinator: None
Number of schools: 14
Pest Control: Indoor pest control contracted to WHITCO Termite & Pest Control (Mr. Mark Harrison Owner). The cafeteria and the rest of the school have separate contracts but with the same company. Termite & critter control is contracted to a separate company.
Important pests: 1. Cockroaches 2. Ants 3. Mice
The IPM program:
The IPM program was initiated by WHITCO pest control 5-6 years ago. Logbooks were prepared and placed in the cafeteria of each school. A liaison or contact person (usually an Assistant principal) was appointed by each school to coordinate communication between the pest control company and the school community. WHITCO prepared the IPM contract. The contract requires a PMP to service the cafeteria and maintenance areas of each school 1/month. Classrooms are serviced on a complaint basis.
Why switch to IPM?
The IPM handbook from the EPA had eye opening information for Mark. It opened Mark’s eyes to the advantages of IPM over conventional pest control. It made business sense; a PMP does not have to treat all areas of the school on each service visit. It is more effective than traditional pest control. Since he started using exclusion, monitoring and baits, German cockroach problems have diminished. IPM takes less time than traditional pest control since treatments if needed are more targeted.
Cost:
$133/School/Month + Emergencies
Challenges:
At the inception of IPM there was resistance from the school maintenance department. Because there wasn’t as much spraying as before, the y assumed that pests were not being controlled, and WHITCO was being paid for doing nothing. He lost that contract but the company that replaced WHITCO was not effective, so WHITCO was recalled. There is still resistance to implementing maintenance and repair recommendations because pest control is not a priority at this time. Second, the turnover of contact people in the schools is very high so Mark has to keep training them as they come. Third, some principals do not understand IPM and therefore they have not established policies for keeping schools free of conditions that are conducive to pests.
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