Franklin and Marshall College, PA Pest Management Policy

Type: Policy

Status: Adopted on 5/10/02

Source File: http://www.fandm.edu/fando_policy_pests.xml

Text:

Pest Management Policy Statement
Structural and landscape pests pose significant problems to people, property, and the environment. Pesticides can also pose risks to people, property, and the environment. It is therefore the policy of Franklin & Marshall College to incorporate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) procedures for control of structural and landscape pests.

What is Integrated Pest Management?
IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interactions with the environment. This information, in combination with the available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. IPM programs take advantage of all pest management options possible including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides. Understanding pest needs is essential to implementing IPM effectively. Pests seek habitats that provide basic needs such as air, moisture, food, and shelter. Pest populations can be prevented or controlled by creating inhospitable environments, by removing some of the basic elements pests need to survive, or by simply blocking their access into buildings. Pests may also be managed by other methods such as traps, vacuums, housekeeping procedures, or pesticides. An understanding of what pests need in order to survive is essential before action is taken.

Pests
Pests are populations of living organisms (animals, plants, or microorganisms) that interfere with use of the Institution for human purposes. Strategies for managing pest populations will be influenced by the pest species and whether that species poses a threat to people, property, or the environment.

Pest Management
Pests will be managed to:

• Reduce any potential human health hazard or to protect against a significant threat to public safety.
• Prevent loss of or damage to College structures or property.
• Prevent pests or diseases associated with the pests from spreading into the community, or to plant and animal populations beyond the Campus.
• Enhance the quality of life for Students and FSA.

Integrated Pest management Procedures
IPM procedures will determine when to control pests and whether to use mechanical, physical, chemical, cultural, or biological means. IPM practitioners depend on current, comprehensive information on the pest and its environment and the best available pest control methods. Applying IPM principles prevents unacceptable levels of pest activity and damage by the most economical means and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

The choice of using a pesticide will be based on a review of all other available options and a determination that these options are not acceptable or are not feasible. Selected nonchemical pest management methods will be implemented whenever possible to provide the desired control. It is the policy of Franklin & Marshall College to utilize IPM principles to manage pest populations adequately. The full range of alternatives, including no action, will be considered.

When it is determined that a pesticide must be used in order to meet important pest management goals, the least hazardous¹ material will be chosen. The application of pesticides is subject to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 United States Code 136 et seq.), Franklin & Marshall College policies and procedures, Environmental Protection Agency regulations in 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Pennsylvania State and Lancaster City regulations.

Record Keeping
Records of pesticide use shall be maintained on site (Service Response Center) to meet the requirements of College Policies and Government regulatory agencies. Records must be current and accurate if IPM is to work. In addition, pest surveillance data sheets that record the number of pests or other indicators of pest populations will be maintained to verify the need for treatments. Material Safety Data Sheets will be made available for any products used on Campus and will be on file at the SRC for review. Anyone in the Campus Community may request specific MSDS copies from the SRC [email protected].

Pesticide Storage and Purchase
Pesticide purchases will be limited to only approved² registered [available to State Certified Pest Control Operators] or unregistered [available to the General Public] products. Pesticides will be stored and disposed of in accordance with the EPA-registered label directions and all Federal and State regulations. Pesticides will be stored in appropriate, secure sites, not accessible to unauthorized personnel. Pesticides utilized by any Franklin & Marshall authorized³ Contractors will be brought on Campus, applied and removed from Campus the day of use.

Pesticide Applicators
Pesticide applicators must be educated and trained in the principles and practices of IPM and the use of pesticides approved by the Franklin & Marshall College IPM Program and they must follow regulations and label precautions. Applicators must be certified by the State of Pennsylvania and approved by the Franklin & Marshall College IPM Program Manager and comply with all aspects of this IPM policy and Pest Management Plan.

Notes
¹ Precautionary statements are required on all pesticide labels. Signal words indicate the level of acute toxicity; the hazard to humans posed by the pesticide product and the “Caution” level of acute toxicity pesticides/herbicides is the preferred level for Campus use. Every label bears the child hazard warning: Keep Out of Reach of Children.

² Approved registered or unregistered products will have been reviewed by Franklin & Marshall’s IPM Manager and approved for use on Campus in accordance with all Federal, State, City regulations and Franklin & Marshall College’s IPM policy.

³ An authorized Contractor will have been investigated by Franklin & Marshall College’s IPM Manager. State certification, business licenses and appropriate insurance will have been verified and the Contractor must maintain all appropriate certifications, licenses and insurance to remain authorized.