CASE STUDIES IN SCHOOL IPM - Download all as PDF
CATAWBA COUNTY SCHOOLS
IPM Contact Persons: Jane Williams and Scott Bowmann
Number of schools: 25 (Total number of sites 30)
Pest Control: Contracted to Orkin Pest Control
Important Pests: Ants, Mice, Roaches, Flies (common Houseflies)
The IPM Program:
The Previous pest control system was not as effective as required. Dr. Mike
Waldvogel(NCSU Urban extension specialist) asked them to participate in a Pilot IPM
program. They accepted and saw how easy it was to implement IPM. Consulting with
Mike and participating in the Pilot IPM program made them shift to IPM easily. Scott
downloaded an IPM contract and request for bids from the Florida State University
website, and adapted it to Catawba county schools needs. Orkin Pest Control won the
contract and started IPM in 1999.
Logbooks (pest sighting logs, IPM plan, MSDS sheets etc) were placed in the cafeterias and main office of each school. On each scheduled monthly service visit to a school the PMP checks the logbook, addresses the pest problems and inspects the school. In case of an emergency, the school calls Clark, who in turn calls the PMP. The quality of service is ascertained by periodically following the PMP to see how he works and by the number of calls schools make for pest control.
Logbooks were made and placed in the cafeterias because the majority of pest problems occur there. They then focused on changing the system of reporting pest problems. Front office staff and others requesting pest control services were constantly reminded to record the pest problems in the log book. The PMP scheduled 2 visits per month per site to check the logbook and to attend to any reported problems. During those school visits PMP inspects the school and communicates to Scott any required repairs or maintenance.
Education:
No elaborate educational program was followed. Education was dealt with in a situation-by- situation manner, educating teachers and staff about IPM has not been systematic. Using phone calls, memos, and persona l contact, teacher by teacher class by class as pest problems arise especially in the kindergarten where kids bring food into the class. They encouraged teachers to keep pests out by storing food in sealable plastic containers. Most schools are comfortable with the new system.
Challenges:
Users of schools for non-school activities do not take care of trash etc. leaving food for pests.
Comments:
They were both very positive about IPM. They’d rather be caulking in a school that attend to a pest crisis. Resistance to IPM implementation is due to lack of knowledge rather than lack of money.
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