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IPM
Committee Tasks: Developing IPM Plan Components: Objectives
& Thresholds
Setting Pest Management
Objectives and Thresholds for Sites
Pest management objectives differ from site to site, and
these differences must be considered before setting action
threshold levels. For example, for an athletic field, the
objective would be to maintain healthy turf as well as a
specific type of playing surface. With ornamental plants, the
objective would more likely be to maintain aesthetic value.
With buildings or other structures, the main objective might
be controlling damage caused by termites. Schools should
outline specific objectives in a pest management plan {9}.
Examples of pest management objectives include-
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Manage pests that may occur
on school sites to prevent interference with the learning
environment of the students.
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Eliminate injury to
students, staff, and other occupants.
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Preserve the integrity of
the school buildings or structures.
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Provide the safest playing
or athletic surfaces possible.
Implementation Stage
Inspecting, identifying and monitoring
Inspection/ Monitoring and Identification
An IPM program, consists of a cycle of inspecting,
identifying , monitoring, evaluating and choosing appropriate
control methods. Routine inspection and accurate
identification of pests are vital to ensure that control
methods will be effective. Once the pest is identified and the
source of its activity pinpointed, habitat modifications -
primarily repair, exclusion and sanitation efforts- may
greatly reduce the prevalence of the pest. Monitoring
includes: determining potential locations of entry, food,
water and harborage; inspecting areas for pest evidence; and
estimating relative population levels. Information gained
through monitoring is evaluated to determine whether control
measures are required {9}.
Setting Injury and Action Levels
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