The following strategies are integral to the success of IPM in any context:

The purpose of the program is to induce custodians, teachers, caretakers, children, kitchen staff, administrators, etc. to learn and use IPM techniques. In communicating this message, several types of media may be used:

 Regular face-to-face meetings, individually or in groups, with custodians, kitchen staff, principals, project team members, administration, student organizations, etc.

 Phone calls between the same individuals listed above.

 Monthly newsletters, distributed to staff, teachers, administrators, and posted at each facility.

 Information about specific pests distributed when necessary or deemed informative.

 Email where possible

A second, crucial aspect of a successful IPM program is the vigilant monitoring of pest populations. This may be accomplished using various techniques:

 Preliminary inspections, conducted in MCCSC by Dr. Corrigan, evaluate the existing pest situation and potential areas at each of the schools. The findings of the inspection at each school should be distributed with specific instructions for staff and administrators.

 Pheromone monitoring traps should be placed at strategic locations throughout the buildings and monitored weekly. This allows infestations to be pinpointed and targeted for treatment using bait stations.

 Cultural controls include:

 Chemical controls include the use of bait stations.

 Mechanical controls include:

These technologies are largely implemented by custodial and kitchen staff, but can also be used by teachers and staff in their own rooms.

 Develop a written strategic pest control plan.

 Establish a policy for pest control, defining the roles of individuals within the school or childcare center, as well as any contractors outside the facility.

 Educate staff, students, administration, school board, parents, among others, with regard to pests, IPM, the dangers of pesticide poisoning, etc.

 Track spending and choose pest control according to both expenditure and effectiveness criteria.

 Consider IPM strategies to manage pest populations.

 All custodians should participate in training to familiarize themselves with the principles and techniques of IPM (identification, monitoring, rational/integrated use of sanitation, mechanical control, least toxic pesticides, etc.)

 Conduct school inspections with an IPM expert, such as Dr. Corrigan. Upon completion of the inspections, outline current and potential problem areas, providing suggestions for how problems should be solved.

 Distribute specific instructions for custodians, kitchen staff, teachers, administrators, etc.

 Use newsletters to introduce and reinforce basic IPM concepts. Assemblies, classroom activities, and other educational activities are also encouraged.

 Staff or teacher contacts should be involved in meetings to determine how best to inform others, and gather ideas for IPM-related projects. Examples of project ideas include having children create "pest-of-the-month" posters and assigning one child per week to be the "pest control ambassador" and to point out potential problem areas.

 Contact should be maintained with each teacher or staff member via periodic meetings, phone calls, email, letters, etc.

 A logo design contest may be conducted to inform the children of the new pest management program and to involve them in designing a logo to represent it. The winning logo may then be used in newsletters and other correspondence.

 Enjoy positive press and issue press releases, informing the community of your progress.

 IPM questionnaire

 Sample workshop agenda

See additional ideas here.

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