Nova Scotia Community College
OP-9: Integrated Pest Management

All NSCC campuses are contracted with Orkin Canada pest control services. Orkin Canada initiates a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management Program. In this program Orkin follows the four tiered pest management plan.

Orkin has a seven step system:

1. A floor-level inspection of the facility, covering all five pest-activity zones: entry points, water sources, food sources, harborage points and employee areas.
2. An analysis of the layout of the facility, noting all potential problem areas, both inside and out.
3. Accurate pest identification, including identification of different kinds of pests as well as various growth stages.
4. A sanitation consultation at each visit to help you and your staff keep key areas of the facility clean and unattractive to pests.
5. A treatment strategy that centers on a commitment to IPM. This means that Orkin Canada uses the least-invasive and least-hazardous method for effective control.
6. A customized treatment program to address any immediate pest problem.
7. Ongoing monitoring and maintenance, with treatments adjusted accordingly to maximize effectiveness. Each visit includes a written Service Report.

In this system Orkin implements the four-tiered approach:

1. Set Action thresholds: Orkin conducts monthly inspections of our NSCC campuses. They constantly monitor various pest to determine if there is an infestation problem. If there is concern NSCC staff will notify NSCC facilities management and they will notify Orkin to investigate. Orkin will make more visits per month if needed. By Orkins regular monitoring it can be determine by using the companies thresholds as to whether action needs to be taken.

2. Monitor and Identify Pests: Orkin monitors the NSCC campuses once a month. By conducting a monthly visit they can better monitor and identify pest. They have various methods in which to monitor various types of pest. By doing this they can identify what pests are present in order to make the appropriate controls decisions in accordance with their action thresholds.

3. Prevention: Orkin has a variety of tactics to prevent pest infestations. The initiate a Perimeter Defence System. In this system live traps are set around the exterior of the building to trap rodents before entering the building. Orkin recommends various prevention techniques upon inspection for the institution to follow. NSCC does follow these recommendations. Some of these techniques NSCC employs are: cleaning and sanitizing all areas attractive to pest, properly sealing cracks and crevices and using live traps and glue traps for constant monitoring.

4. Control- NSCC does not use pesticides or herbicides for pest control or landscaping. It is expected the Orkin uses considers the appropriate non-chemical methods of control before utilizing chemical options. Orkin states that pesticides are only used if and when non-chemical methods have been ineffective. Mechanical methods are utilized first when a pest infestation has been properly identified. Orkin uses various mechanical methods depending on the variety of pest.