Schools
1. Integrated Pest Management
EcoSMART Technologies, Inc. strongly advocates the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is an environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interactions with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment. IPM programs take advantage of all pest management options possible including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides.
Understanding pests’ needs is essential to implementing IPM. Pests seek habitats that provide basic needs such as air, moisture, food and shelter. Pest populations can be prevented or controlled by creating inhospitable environments, by removing some of the basic elements pests need to survive, or by blocking their access into structures. Pests may be managed by other methods such as traps, vacuums or pesticides. EcoSMART and your Pest Management Professional (PMP) will become your partners in identifying maintenance and sanitation opportunities that will minimize the need for chemicals.
An IPM program consists of a cycle of inspecting, identifying, monitoring, evaluating and selection of the appropriate control methods. Routine inspection and accurate identification of pests are vital steps in IPM to insure control methods will be effective. Once the pest is identified and the source of activity is pinpointed, habitat modifications such as exclusion, repair or sanitation efforts will greatly reduce the prevalence of the pest. Information gained through a continuous monitoring program is evaluated to determine whether the action threshold has been exceeded and what can be done in the way of prevention.
2. General Requirements
- Your service technician will perform a thorough inspection during each scheduled visit using EcoPCO® ACU Contact Insecticide to flush and kill existing insects. Evaluation of inspection results and monitors will determine the appropriate treating methods that will then be utilized.
- Copies of labels and Material Safety Data Sheets will be provided upon request.
- Service will be performed to your property a minimum of one time per month. In the unlikely event that additional services are necessary between regular services, they will be provided at no additional cost.
- Your technician will provide a written report after each regular visit which will describe deficiencies in housekeeping, maintenance or sanitation which could induce pest problems. Recommendations will be made for correcting these deficiencies.
3. General Requirements - Customer
- Your part of this partnership will include making the premises available for service at the specified time and ensuring that all areas are accessible for inspection and treatment.
- Your premises will be prepared for service according to the agreed upon conditions to insure protection of your property from contamination or adulteration during the service.
- You will be responsible for prompt correction of the deficiencies noted on the written report provided by your service technician. This is critical to insure the integrity of your IPM program.
- You will be responsible for training your employees to conduct routine cleaning processes that do not disturb, remove or contaminate the control methods placed by your service technician.
Control Specifics
- A. Food Service Operations
1. Kitchen and Food Preparation Areas
To alleviate the risk of contamination, it is recommended that you prepare for pest control service prior to the initial treatment. It is not necessary to do major preparation for regular monthly services, but it is necessary to maintain an adequate level of sanitation. Routine cleaning operations should be performed carefully so as not to compromise treatments.
Your operation will realize substantial savings since overtime labor and pay will not be required for preparation for service or for extensive clean-up following the treatment.
Your PMP has conducted extensive research on the control of insect problems in food preparation areas. Your PMP knows that attention to detail is the key to success. Your facility will have an individualized treatment plan designed to fit your specific needs.
Your service technician will provide a complete and thorough inspection using EcoPCO® ACU to flush and kill existing pests. This detailed inspection will identify the treatment locations for optimal insect control. Common areas include, but are not limited to, under and behind stainless steel tables, sinks and splashboards, electrical outlets, switches, compressors and control boxes, counter top equipment (i.e., coffee makers, soft drink machines, microwaves, meat slicers, etc.), behind false walls near food prep tables, shelving, drop ceilings, clocks and other wall mounted items, dishwasher units and soiled dish conveyors and carts, all of which are known harborage areas.
Your service technician will search out cracks and crevices at the wall/ceiling junctures, wall/floor junctures and around corner areas. Treatment will be rendered as necessary using EcoPCO® AR•X Multi-Purpose Insecticide or EcoPCO® WP•X Wettable Powder Insecticide as residual treatments in cracks and crevices. Treatment will also consist of an ongoing program of inspection, physical removal of any insects that are discovered, applications of EcoPCO® D•X Dust Insecticide or EcoEXEMPT® D Dust Insecticide in void areas, and then caulking and sealing to eliminate harborages.
Insect monitoring devices will be maintained in strategic locations throughout the facility.
Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) may be applied every three - four months to help prevent the growth and development of insects which hatch from egg capsules. IGRs will also interrupt the normal reproductive patterns.
2. Storage Areas
The storage areas of your facility are critical since this is usually the source of most incoming pest problems. These areas require your special cooperation. The fewer products that are kept in “master pack” the more effective your PMP’s treatment strategy will be. Cardboard removal is essential to elimination of potential harborage sources. - B. Office/Classroom Areas
All offices and classrooms will be inspected on a rotating basis, where every area will be evaluated a minimum of once per quarter (every three months).
All offices and classrooms will be inspected and the appropriate treatments rendered during each visit, regardless of their inspection schedule.
All pest problems discovered during scheduled inspections will be appropriately treated at that time using EcoPCO® ACU. Depending on the size and type of problem involved, your technician may wish to schedule a 7-day follow up to reinspect the area or inspect the areas on the next scheduled monthly visit.
Employee breakrooms, coffee areas and lounges where food products are introduced on a continuous basis, may receive preventive treatment with residuals such as EcoPCO® AR•X and/or EcoPCO® WP•X and EcoPCO® D•X or EcoEXEMPT® D in void area during the regular office inspection. These are areas most likely to have problems within the private offices. - C. Restrooms/Mop Rooms/Boiler Rooms
All restroom facilities will be inspected each month. All pest problems discovered during scheduled inspections will immediately be treated with EcoPCO® ACU. The technician may schedule a 7-day follow up if needed.
Due to the heat and humidity present in these areas, the technician may execute a preventive treatment program using residuals such as EcoPCO® AR•X and/or EcoPCO® WP•X and EcoPCO® D•X or EcoEXEMPT® D in void areas. Ground level restrooms and the more publicly used facilities are likely candidates for preventive action.
Special care will be given to inform you of needed repairs (i.e., cracked tile, leaking pipes, etc.) that could contribute to a pest problem and of course be unsightly for your clientele.
Where applicable your PMP will treat with EcoPCO® AR•X and/or EcoPCO® WP•X and EcoPCO® D•X or EcoEXEMPT® D in void areas and then use industrial caulk and pest exclusion foam to seal potential entry and harborage points around pipes, stalls, mirrors and other fixtures. - D. Vending Areas
All vending machines and their areas will need to be inspected and preventive maintenance rendered each month.
Because they are an ideal source for heat, moisture, food and harborage, it is critical that your PMP continually monitor vending machine areas for pest activity. As high traffic areas, it is a highly potential exposure area for your clients and visitors to encounter cockroaches and ants in your building.
Your PMP will report maintenance and sanitation needs as they become necessary, to reduce the contributing factors to a pest problem. - E. Building Exterior
Every month the entire perimeter of the building will be inspected and treated, if necessary, using (delete EcoPCO G Granular Insecticide) EcoPCO® WP•X Wettable Powder Insecticide, EcoEXEMPT® G Granular Insecticide, and/or EcoEXEMPT® IC-2 Insecticide Concentrate. Any wasp nests will be eliminated using EcoPCO® Jet•X Wasp/Hornet/Yellow Jacket Contact Insecticide or EcoEXEMPT® Jet Wasp & Hornet Killer.
Ants and rodents look for entry points constantly. Entrance doors and moveable windows on the ground floor are key areas requiring continual inspection and possible preventive treatment to guard against pest invasion.
Any repairs needed to secure the building due to identified or potential entry points for ants, cockroaches and especially rodents, will be brought to your attention immediately.
Where applicable your PMP will apply EcoPCO® D•X or EcoEXEMPT® D and then use caulk and foam to reduce pest entry areas on an ongoing basis.
If excessive vegetation or weeds are present they can offer major harborages for pests. Your PMP may use Matran PRO Herbicide Concentrate: Non-Selective to burn down unwanted vegetation and eliminate potential harborage areas.