Whatcom Community College
OP-9: Landscape Management

INTRODUCTION Pests are populations of living organism (animals, plants, or microorganism) that interfere with use of healthcare and other facilities for human purposes. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a method that establishes a sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks. Whatcom Community College (WCC) has developed this Integrated Pest Management Plan for the buildings and grounds managed by the college. The plan outlines procedures to be followed to protect the health and safety of staff, faculty, students, and visitors from pests and pesticide hazards. The plan is designed to voluntarily comply with policies and regulations promulgated by the Department of Agriculture for higher education institutions. Objectives of this IPM plan include: • Elimination of significant threats caused by pests to the health and safety of staff faculty, students, and the public. • Prevention of loss or damage to structures, property, and/or landscaping by pests. • Protection of environmental quality inside and outside buildings. This IPM plan will be held and maintained by the WCC’s Facilities and Operations Department. IPM COORDINATOR The Senior Director of Facilities and Operations or designee shall be WCC’s IPM Coordinator and be responsible to implement the IPM plan and to coordinate pest management-related communications between the college and its campus community. IPM Review Whatcom Community College’s Safety Committee will provide an annual review of the IPM program and will assist the IPM Coordinator in resolving pest-related issues. The Sustainability Committee will also be consulted regarding any changes or additions to the plan. The committees will address IPM issues as needed and at least annually. Minutes will be taken of committee meetings and kept on file by the committee chairs. Membership will include the IPM Coordinator or designee, as well as individuals representing the student, faculty, classified staff, and exempt staff. POSTING AND NOTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATIONS The IPM Coordinator or designee shall be responsible for ensuring notification procedures are followed as outlined below. When pesticide applications are scheduled on Whatcom’s campus, Facilities and Operations staff and/or the licensed commercial pesticide application service provider(s) shall provide notification in accordance with law and the IMP plan, including: 1. Posting a pest control information sign with the date, time and location of the application and the product applied in an appropriate area and including contact information for additional details. 2. Providing this information to all individuals working in the building. 3. Providing this information to all campus community members who have requested notification of individual applications of pesticides. 4. Notify the campus community via all-campus email a minimum of 3 days prior to any planned (non-emergency) pesticide application. This form of notification is in addition to other required notifications. Where pests pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors, WCC may authorize an emergency pesticide application and shall notify any campus community member who has requested such notification. Disinfectants, anti-microbials, and self-contained or gel-type pesticide baits applied in inaccessible areas are exempt from posting, notification. RECORD KEEPING & PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION Whatcom Community College will maintain records of all Service Provider visits and pest control treatments for at least three (3) years. Information regarding pest management activities will be made available at the Facilities and Operations administrative office in the Auxiliary Services Building. Requests to be notified of pesticide applications may also be made to this office. All campus community members will be informed of their option to request/receive annual notification of all pesticide applications done on campus. TRAINING WCC, Facilities and Operations staff will be provided with training on the college IPM policy annually. Training will include the rationale for the IPM policy and program and specific elements including use of the pest-sighting log and prohibition on pesticide applications by non-certified individuals. Additionally, designated staff including the IPM Coordinator or designee and those who conduct regular inspections of YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE facilities will receive training on identifying pest infestations and pest-conducive conditions. This training will improve the ability of WCC staff to oversee service providers and staff compliance with the IPM plan. GENERAL IPM STRATEGIES Pest management strategies may include education, exclusion, sanitation, maintenance, biological and mechanical controls, and pre-approved, site-appropriate pesticides. An Integrated Pest Management decision at WCC shall consist of the following steps: 1. Identify pest species. 2. Estimate pest populations and evaluate current and anticipated impacts. 3. Select the appropriate management tactics based on current on-site information. 4. Assess effectiveness of pest management. 5. Keep appropriate records. Decisions concerning whether or not pesticides should be applied in a given situation will be based on a review of all available options. Efforts will be made to avoid the use of pesticides by adequate pest proofing of facilities, good sanitation practices, selection of pest-resistant plant materials, appropriate horticultural practices, and communication/education to facility occupants. When it is determined that a pesticide must be used in order to meet pest management objectives, WCC will consult with a licensed commercial pesticide application company. All pesticide storage, transportation, and application will be conducted in accordance with the requirement of the Federal, State, Local regulations including, Environmental Protection Agency regulations (40 CFR), Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, Washington Department of Agriculture regulations (RCW 17.21), WCC policies and procedures, and City of Bellingham ordinances. No person shall apply, store, or dispose of any pesticide on the WCC Campus without the appropriate pesticide applicator license. All pesticide applicators will be trained in the principles and practices of IPM and the use of pesticides approved for use by the college. All applicators must comply with the IPM procedures and follow appropriate regulations and label precautions when using pesticides in or around WCC facilities. SERVICE PROVIDER ROLES Pest control service providers contracting with the college will be required to follow the procedures outlined in this IPM plan. Service providers will be directed to provide special attention to pest-vulnerable areas including food storage, preparation and serving areas; washrooms; custodial closets; mechanical rooms and entryways into the building. Consultants involved with the design of new or renovated facilities will be asked to review plan for pest-conducive conditions, suggest pest proofing measures, and inspect projects where applicable during construction to prevent and avoid future pest problems. STAFF ROLES Whatcom Community College administration will provide support to assist the IPM Coordinator in maintaining an IPM program that relies on minimal pesticide use. Such support will include efforts to promptly address any structural, horticultural, or sanitation changes recommended by the coordinator to reduce or prevent pest problems. Furthermore, YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE administration will assist the Coordinator in developing and delivering materials and programs for staff, students, and the public to educate them about the importance of good sanitation and pest control. The designated IPM Coordinator is responsible for ensuring staff compliance with the IPM plan, including the pest specific strategies outlined in the attached check list. PEST-SPECIFIC STRATEGIES The following strategies will be used for frequently encountered pests: IPM Strategies for Indoor Sites Typical Pests: Mice, rats, cockroaches, ants, flies, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, spiders, microorganisms, termites, carpenter ants, and other wood-destroying insects. Although beneficial as predators, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, and spiders can be troublesome. Entryways - door-ways, overhead doors, windows, holes in exterior walls, openings around pipes, electrical fixtures, or ducts. • Keep doors shut when not in use. • Place weather stripping on doors. • Caulk and seal openings in walls. • Install or repair screens. • Install air curtains. • Maintain vegetation, shrubs, and wood mulch to limit direct contact with building structures. Classrooms and Offices - classrooms, laboratories, administrative offices, auditoriums, gymnasiums, and hallways. • Allow food and beverages only in designated areas. • If indoor plants are present, keep them healthy. • When small insect infestations appear, remove them using vacuum machines or some other manual means whenever possible. • Keep areas as dry as possible by removing standing water and water damaged or wet materials. • In the science lab, store animal foods in tightly sealed containers and regularly clean cages. • In all areas, remove dust and debris. • Routinely clean lockers and desks. • Frequently vacuum carpeted areas. Food Preparation and Serving Areas – dining/seating areas, main kitchen, food preparation areas, snack areas, vending machines, and food storage rooms. • Store food and waste in containers that are inaccessible to pests. Containers must have tight lids and be made of plastic, glass, or metal. Waste should be removed at the end of each day. • Place screens on vents, windows, and floor drains to prevent pests from using unscreened ducts or vents as pathways. • Create inhospitable living conditions for pests by reducing availability of food and water--remove food debris, sweep up all crumbs, fix dripping faucets and leaks, and dry out wet areas. • Improve cleaning practices, including promptly cleaning food preparation equipment after use and removing grease accumulation from vents, ovens, and stoves. Use caulk or paint to seal cracks and crevices. • Capture rodents by using mechanical or glue traps. (Note: Place traps in areas inaccessible to children. Mechanical Traps, including glueboards, used in rodent control must be checked daily. Dispose of killed or trapped rodents within 24 hours. Rooms and Areas with Extensive Plumbing - bathrooms, rooms with sinks, locker rooms, dishwasher rooms, and science laboratories. • Promptly repair leaks and correct other plumbing problems to deny pests access to water. • Routinely clean floor drains, strainers, and grates. Seal pipe chases. • Keep areas dry. Avoid conditions that allow formation of condensation. Areas that never dry out are conducive to molds and fungi. Increasing ventilation may be necessary. • Store paper products or cardboard boxes away from moist areas and direct contact with the floor or the walls. This practice also allows for ease in inspection. Maintenance Areas - boiler room, mechanical room, janitorial-housekeeping areas, and pipe chases. • After use, promptly clean mops and mop buckets; dry mop buckets and hang mops vertically on rack above floor drain. • Allow eating only in designated areas. • Clean trash cans regularly, use plastic liners in trash cans, and use secure lids. • Keep areas clean and as dry as possible, and remove debris. IPM Strategies for Outdoor Sites Typical Pests: Mice and rats. Turf pests--broad-leaf and grassy weeds, insects such as beetle grubs or sod webworms, diseases such as brown patch, and vertebrates such as moles. Ornamental plant pests/diseases, and insects such as thrips, aphids, Japanese beetles, and tent caterpillars. Playgrounds, Parking Lots, Athletic Fields, Loading Docks, and Refuse Dumpsters • Regularly clean trash containers and gutters and remove all waste, especially food and paper debris. • Secure lids on trash containers. • Repair cracks in pavement and sidewalks. • Provide adequate drainage away from the structure and on the grounds to prevent puddling. Turf - lawns, athletic fields, and landscaped areas. • Maintain healthy turf by selecting a mixture of turf types (certified seed, sod, or plugs) best adapted for the area. • Raise mowing height for turf to enhance its competition with weeds; adjust cutting height of mower, depending on the grass type; sharpen mower blades; and vary mowing patterns to help reduce soil compaction. • Provide good drainage, and periodically inspect turf for evidence of pests or diseases. • Limit the use of herbicides whenever possible and only use for weed control when hand weeding is otherwise impractical or ineffective.

all new construction

limit watering of grass during the summer months, 5,000 gallon tank under asb for watering

compost all landscape waste