Residents are not the only people frustrated by recurrent pest problems. Managers are often overwhelmed by pest infestation and residents’ complaints. In the past managers have had to rely solely on traditional pest management practices. Structural Integrated Pest Management (IPM) offers a long term solution that not only improved residents’ quality of life, it also improved job satisfaction among property managers. What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)? IPM is a pest control plan that uses a variety of complementary methods to alter the home environment by:
- Reducing food sources (that attract pests) and places for pests to hide (clutter)
- Finding out where pests are coming in and sealing them out
- Placing low toxicity traps and using other pesticides only when absolutely necessary
The goal is to significantly reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides while controlling pest infestation.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued this guidance on IPM:
“Offers the potential efficacy of pest elimination while protecting the health of residents and staff.”
“Will extend the useful life of property and, thereby, generate significant savings that offset costs of the pest control operations.”
Through the Healthy Pest Free Housing Initiative (HPFHI), The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) has implemented IPM as its primary pest management strategy. For information on IPM’s effect on BHA pest complaints, resident quality of life and manager job satisfaction, click here. Through HPFHI, many resources were developed to assist owners and managers of housing to transition to an IPM program:
Integrated Pest Management: A Guide for Managers and Owners of Affordable Housing
Getting the Bugs Out" Article in the Journal of Housing and Community Development describing the Boston Housing Authority Experience in the Healthy Pest Free Housing Initiative
A Guidebook on IPM and Structural Repairs Used by the Boston Housing Authority
Sample IPM Specifications Used by the Boston Housing Authority
Sample Standard Operating Procedures for IPM Used by Boston Housing Authority
A Job Description for an IPM Tenant Coordinator Used By Boston Housing Authority
A Powerpoint Presentation of BHA Procedures to Contract for IPM Services
Because working with residents is crucial to the success of the IPM program, BHA hires a resident as an IPM Tenant Coordinator whose job is to educate residents about IPM and their role in it. Resources that can help involve residents in the IPM program:
What You Need To Know About Pests and Pesticides To Protect Your Family’s Health*
A Video on what an IPM visit entails (in English, Cantonese, Haitian Creole and Spanish)
Posters on the role of residents, managers and pest control contractors in IPM focusing on specific areas of the home: kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and hall
IPM is the use of the most effective and economical means of pest management with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. (Don Rivard, Rivards Resources: IPM)
*Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, Russian, Haitian Creole, and Somali