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Child Development Center Becomes Nation's First "IPM STAR" - June 2005

June 2005

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A child development center that has been pesticide-free for over twelve years was recently awarded the first IPM STAR certification for a childcare facility in the nation.

The Carlisle Barracks Moore Child Development Center (CDC), serving 134 children, is a model for this common sense pest management. IPM, or integrated pest management, is a kid-safe, economical, and scientific approach. IPM integrates knowledge of pest identity and biology with pest monitoring so that action, if needed, can be taken at just the right time. In addition, IPM uses a combination of management tactics that are more likely to be safe and effective.

Moore CDC, located at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., was awarded the IPM STAR from the IPM Institute of North America. According to Dr. Thomas Green, president of the institute, IPM STAR certification is a rigorous process that includes an on-site inspection by an independent professional trained in IPM. "We're very pleased that Moore CDC has undertaken this process, both to improve their IPM program and increase the visibility of IPM as a great alternative for anyone who has to deal with pest problems," states Dr. Green.

According to Keith Bailey, installation pest management coordinator for Carlisle Barracks, their goal is to use no pesticides at Moore CDC and none have been used in the building for over twelve years. "Stinging insect nests are a problem here, but our contractor simply removes them with soap and water as soon as we spot them," Bailey explains. "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."

While the branches of the Defense Department are not required to adhere to the same state laws that require all public schools to adopt an IPM program, the Army's IPM in Schools and CDCs initiative is putting similar measures in place for soldiers' family members. "IPM has been a foundation of Defense Department and Army pest management policies and practices for more than 20 years. The Defense Department's IPM principles, including planning and professional oversight, high training standards, record keeping and reporting, and targeted pesticide applications when needed, serve as the foundation of the Army school and CDC initiative," Bailey explains.

As part of the program at Moore 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, and an annual inspection evaluates maintenance and repair needs for the building.

According to Dr. Green, 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," he says.

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 Dr. Green. "In this case, we consulted with the Pennsylvania IPM Program and made some suggestions related to new school IPM provisions of Pennsylvania law." The Pennsylvania IPM Program (PAIPM) provides education and guidance to Pennsylvania schools as they adopt IPM plans according to state law. In addition, PAIPM supports the Pennsylvania Department of Education's IPM academic standard that requires all K-12 public school students to learn about IPM.

"We also focused on communications with service providers," Dr. 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 first-of-its-kind IPM certification program was developed with funding from the USDA IPM Program, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the National Foundation for IPM Education and is available to professionals, organizations, products and services. Dr. Green says they have expanded the program to allow cooperative extension and other local experts to complete the required on-site inspection and reports. The program will continue to offer certification to child development centers, schools and pest control operators, and may add landscape service professionals, hospitals, and other public agencies to the process.

To find out more about the program, visit Web site http://www.ipminstitute.org/ipmstar.htm. For more information about The Moore CDC's program, contact Bailey by e-mail at Keith.edward.Bailey@us.army.mil or phone (717) 245-3612.

The PAIPM program is a collaboration between Penn State and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting IPM in both agricultural and nonagricultural situations. The PA IPM program's Web site at http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/ contains a wealth of information and resources for schools and child development centers adopting IPM programs. By clicking on the "Schools" link, visitors also can download "IPM for Pennsylvania Schools, A How-To Manual." The link also leads to information about the school IPM effort in Pennsylvania and to educational materials from across the country. For more information, contact the program at (814) 865-2839, or visit Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/. To view our archived news releases, see Web site http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/10.html.