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Structural and landscape pests can 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 Dartmouth 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 commonsense 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
Approved pest management plans should be developed for each of the separate functional sites(i.e. administrative, athletic, scientific, recreational, etc.) and should include any proposed pest management measures.
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 school structures or property.
Prevent pests or diseases associated with the pests from spreading into the community, or to plant and animal populations beyond the site.
Enhance the quality of life for students, staff, faculty, visitors and others.
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. Cost or staffing considerations alone will not be adequate justification for use of chemical control agents, and selected non-chemical pest management methods will be implemented whenever possible to provide the desired control. It is the policy of Dartmouth 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 management goals, the least hazardous* 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.), Dartmouth College policies and procedures, Environmental Protection Agency regulations in 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, and State and local regulations.
Education
Faculty, staff, students, pest managers, and the public will be educated about potential pest problems and the IPM policies and procedures to be used to achieve the desire pest management objectives.
Record Keeping
Records of pesticide use shall be maintained on site to meet the requirements of all College EHS Policies and all 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.
Notification
Dartmouth College takes the responsibility to notify the faculty, staff, students and visitors of upcoming pesticide treatments when required. Notices will be posted in designated areas and made available to those who wish to be informed in advance of pesticide applications.
Pesticide Storage and Purchase
Pesticide purchases will be limited to pre-approved compounds only, and to the amount authorized for use during the year. Pesticides will be stored and disposed of in accordance with the EPA-registered label directions, all Federal and State regulations. Pesticides will be stored in an appropriate, secure site, approved by the IPM Advisory Council, not accessible to unauthorized personnel.
Pesticide Applicators
Pesticide applicators must be educated and trained in the principles and practices of IPM and the use of pesticides approved by the Dartmouth College IPM Program, and they must follow regulations and label precautions. Applicators should be certified or approved by the Dartmouth IPM Program and comply with all aspects of this IPM policy and Pest Management Plan.
*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. Every label bears the child hazard warning: Keep Out of Reach of Children.
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