University of Colorado Denver - Anschutz Medical Campus
OP-9: Integrated Pest Management

The University of Coloardo at Denver, Denver Campus and the Anschutz Medical Campus operates an integrated pest management plan focused on long-term techniques that will prevent and suppress pest problems. The IPM plan adheres to the following four-tiered approach: Set Action Thresholds: Only if there is a perceived threat to occupant health and safety OR if pests are significantly interfering with the purposes for which plants are being grown will pest management action occur. Otherwise, wildlife and native plant life is generally left alone. Monitor and Identify Pests: Grounds are monitored and landscaped in a way to support the health of the plants, including xerioscape planting techniques and native perennial species used to deter pests. In general, any perceivable small mammal/insect habitat is discouraged through grounds maintenance efforts of restricting access. Prevention: Native, perennial plants are increasingly incorporated into future construction and renovation projects to conserve water. It has been found that they are better adapted to the environment and generally require less fertilization and pest control. Landscape Services also utilize mulching, for weed prevention and moisture retention thereby reducing the need to irrigate more often. Control: In general, insecticides are only used as a last resort in a highly targeted and controlled manner and ‘best management practices’ are promoted such that the use of least toxic, most effective products are applied by trained personnel. Licensed applicators apply pesticides and insecticides, which are only used after carefully monitoring, and to prevent pests from interfering with the plants natural growing habits. Whenever any chemical is applied, we use the least toxic, most effective, and minimal dosage possible. Organic products are used whenever possible. In addition to the above four-tiered approach, the following IPM practices are also maintained: • Incorporation of organic products, while reducing the amount of fertilizer on all turf areas. • Limit the amount of weeds by using pre-emergent’s, weeding by hand, and spot spraying. • Weeds in turf areas are controlled primarily through healthy turf and mowing. • Mulching all turf area, rather than collecting. • Ongoing plan to control Ips Beetle on Spruce trees, Mountain Pine Beetle on Ponderosa Pine, and Ash Bore on Ash trees. • Composting/recycling most all landscape debris on campus • Monitoring all irrigation meters weekly, using rain sensors at all irrigation clocks, and continually adjusting irrigation run times throughout the growing season. • Native plants are encouraged and increasingly on the rise in all bedding areas. • Aerification done at least once a year to minimize compaction encourages new turf growth, and limit watering needs.