Mr. Weissman

Eco-Friendly Practices

Sustainable Pest Management

By Arthur Weissman, President and CEO, Green Seal, Inc.

Almost every property has to deal with pests in some way. The environmentally preferred way is through Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which is offered by some major hotel service providers. This article will describe the fundamentals of IPM and what to specify from your service provider.

What's the Problem?

Every property has to control pests such as insects or rodents, but you want to do so in a way that doesn't compromise the health and aesthetic quality of the environment you create for the benefit of your guests. In particular, the concern is that potent, toxic chemical pesticides may very well eliminate a pest problem but create a human health or environmental problem. Having your guests become ill - or suspect that they may - is not a good alternative to their finding a roach in their rooms. On the other hand, you want to ensure that pests are not part of your guest experience, so you must find an effective as well as safe way of controlling or eliminating them.

Principles of IPM

IPM is fundamentally a systematic approach to pest management that considers a number of factors before or instead of just applying conventional chemical pesticides. Key is to understand the cause of the pest problem and to use prevention to control the problem over widespread chemical eradication.

Human factors that may invite pests are first considered along with the particular behavior of the pest species involved. Then preventive measures such as behavior control, physical or mechanical barriers or traps, or biological agents (such as pest pathogens or predators) are applied (in that order) to eliminate or sufficiently control the problem. Only as a last resort, if these do not work, are chemical agents applied, and then the "soft" ones (such as repellants or growth regulators) are tried before the more toxic exterminating kind.

The point of IPM, therefore, is that pests can often be controlled or eliminated by attacking the source of the problem rather than the end result (the presence of the pest). Food areas that are not kept clean, garbage disposal areas that are not secured, or guest rooms that are not sufficiently cleaned can be sources of food for pests. By eliminating these sources, the pest problem can be solved without ever using chemical warfare. Another common solution is to block access to pests. For instance, urban birds such as rock doves (aka pigeons) can be discouraged from roosting on overhangs by appropriate barricades or spikes.

Common Areas of Concern in Properties

It is critical, then, as a first step in assessing your overall pest management system to determine which pests you currently deal with and their sources of access and/or allure. Your kitchen, food-service, and disposal areas are the first places to look: Are they as clean as possible? Are foodstuffs and food wastes secured? Is food packaging, particularly when contaminated by food, handled appropriately to prevent attracting pests? Are food display areas properly cleaned after use? Are food spills cleaned and treated immediately?

Another angle to pursue is moisture (something of serious concern for mold, as well), since most pests are attracted not only to food but also to water. Make sure there are no leaks on your property, inside or out. Look for stains on building surfaces, especially ceilings. Promptly fix any leaks and replace moldy or blemished surfaces and materials. Remember that "pests" are really part of the fauna of your environment, and they thrive on a more biologically rich substrate, which you don't want to provide.

Finally, do not overlook guest rooms as a source of pest problems. Scrupulous cleaning of carpets and corners can help prevent buildup of food or organic residues in rooms. Promptly address any pest complaints guests make about rooms or other areas of the property by bringing in your IPM service provider for consultation.

What To Specify From Your Service Provider

Now that you are (hopefully) convinced of the benefits of the IPM approach, how do you get your pest control service to implement IPM at your property? You must, of course, request it and specify it in as precise terms as possible. Don't settle for a knowing nod or smile from your vendor; this is serious business and can make a real difference to your guests, workers, and the environment. IPM is a formal system that cannot be performed properly by the uninitiated or the unwilling.

As with many of our sustainability recommendations, the first step is to contact your current provider of pest management services to find out if they offer an IPM service option. We often find that current vendors do offer such a service, due to the demand from schools, health care facilities and other "green" buildings, but it may not be the standard option. Whether you stick with your current provider or entertain proposals from new companies, there are several key elements that should be a part of the IPM program, and the major ones are highlighted here:

Conclusion

As with so many areas of sustainable practice, what is good for the environment and human health turns out often to be smart practice anyway. Why would you want to apply toxic chemicals to your property - a haven for your guests away from home - when there are usually good alternatives that don't require such pesticides? It requires a little time and a new way of thinking, but the result is a more sustainable property... and, ultimately, world.

Arthur B. Weissman, Ph.D., is President and CEO of Green Seal, Inc. He has experience in environmental science, policy, and standard-setting in public and private sectors. He has led the non-profit's resurgence as a force to make the economy more sustainable. He served as an international convener in developing the ISO 14000 standards for environmental labeling, and was the first Chair of the Global Ecolabeling Network. He has developed policy for the Superfund waste-cleanup program, served in the U.S. Senate as a Science Fellow, and worked for The Nature Conservancy. Mr. Weissman can be contacted at 202-872-6400 or aweissman@greenseal.org Extended Bio...

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