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To view press release, click here. How does a child development facility on the second oldest active Army installation manage pests? “With good old fashioned common sense!” according to Dr. Thomas Green, who recently evaluated the facility for certification under the new IPM STAR program. The Carlisle Barracks Moore Child Development Center (CDC), serving 134 children, is a model for this common sense approach. The facility is now the first IPM STAR Certified childcare facility in the nation. IPM, or Integrated Pest Management, relies on long-term prevention of pest problems rather than routine applications of pesticides. The IPM program at the Carlisle CDC has achieved that aim and more. “Our goal is to use no pesticides at the CDC,” reports Mr. Keith Bailey, Installation Pest Management Coordinator for Carlisle Barracks. “Over the last 12 years we have used no pesticides in the building. Stinging insect nests are the number one problem. Our contractor simply removes them with soap and water as soon as we spot them. We realize we may need to use pesticides at some point if we can’t solve a pest problem some other way, but we’re working hard to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Pests need food, water and shelter to survive and thrive. Removing access to these essentials is the key to long-term pest prevention. A series of regular, professional inspections and a good working relationship with pest control, landscape maintenance and cleaning service providers ensures this remains the case at Carlisle CDC. A monthly sanitation inspection is conducted by Carlisle Barracks Preventative Medicine Specialists, working off a checklist that includes items like cleanliness of floors, walls, ceilings and furnishings throughout the facility. A second monthly inspection focuses on food storage, preparation and serving areas. An annual inspection evaluates maintenance and repair needs for the building. The IPM program at the CDC benefits from its sound, twelve-year-old building. The facility is well maintained, including door sweeps that keep ants, rodents and other pests from getting in. Trees and shrubs are trimmed so that no branches touch the building to avoid creating travel ways for squirrels, ants or other potential invaders. Floors are swept and mopped, and countertops and tables wiped down daily. An electronic work order system is used to relay any maintenance or pest management needs from CDC staff to contractors – and lets Barracks supervisors keep a constant eye on progress. How do you improve a program that has already reduced pest problems and pesticide use to a non-issue? “We work hard to identify opportunities to move up a notch or two,” reports Green. “In this case, we made some suggestions related to new school-IPM provisions of Pennsylvania law. Carlisle CDC and other pre-schools not connected to a public school district are not covered by the law, but Army policy is to voluntarily comply where appropriate.” “We’ve also focused on communications with service providers,” Green continues. “Clear, consistent and frequent communications are key to successful relationships with pest control and landscape service providers. In this case, the Army has two key documents that guide contractor activities, including the IPM Plan for the CDC and a ‘Performance Work Statement.’ We looked these over carefully and made suggestions to clarify the CDC’s policies and improve communication.” The IPM STAR initiative is
being implemented throughout the Army with the support of the US Army
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management and the
US Army Environmental Center. |
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