Develop an IPM plan Employment of two or more control measures

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15.1.2.5. Evaluation of effectiveness

The purpose of evaluating effectiveness is to determine whether the IPM plan was imple- mented as designed plan process objectives met and whether the objectives of the plan were attained pest reduction and exposure objectives met. The process of evaluating effectiveness is as follows. The evaluation determines how effective the implementation of each of the first four steps has been. The process used to implement each step is described and evaluated to determine if any phase of the IPM plan could have been implemented with greater efficiency and effectiveness. The lessons learned from the evaluation are documented and used to improve the implementation process. The methods used to evaluate the reduction of pest activity and exposure are determined and executed at the beginning of the IPM process. During implementation of the first four steps – inspection, identification, establishment of thresholds and employment of control measures – monitoring surveys are conducted to document pest numbers, pest activity and opportunities for human–pest interaction. These surveys determine whether the pest population has been reduced below the site-specific threshold level pest reduc- tion and exposure outcomes. Examples of pest and exposure reduction indicators include: frequency, number and time of visual sightings; insect activity following aerosol flushing; pests counts obtained from vacuuming; positive bait stations; flea egg counts; presence of rodent and cockroach droppings; positive sticky and snap traps; mosquito larval dipper counts, adult trapping counts, and adult landing and bite counts; tick counts; signs of rodent gnawing and food contamination, number of active burrows, runways and the presence of rodent tracks. The survey information is used to identify causative factors that have not been fully addressed during implementation. The evaluation of the effec- tiveness step documents the attainment of the process and pest reduction objectives esta- blished in the IPM plan. In summary, the aims of this last component of IPM are to: • evaluate the outcome of the interventions implemented and determine whether the pro- cess and pest reduction objectives have been achieved; and • document actions and decisions and maintain clear and detailed records.

15.1.2.6. Develop an IPM plan

The key elements in developing an IPM plan are as follows. • The management plan must have clear objectives and outcome measures. • The plan should ensure the development of partnerships and collaborative efforts with all stakeholders, including building occupants, community members, political authori- ties, leaders, decision-makers and technical experts. • Partners should actively participate in the development of the plan. Integrated pest management 548 In addition to health and safety thresholds, local legal restrictions on pest infestation, indi- vidual tolerance levels and economic concerns should be considered when developing a site-specific action threshold. Some economic concerns are residents being unable to afford widespread control measures or a municipality requesting preventative measures, rather than thorough inspection, due to cost concerns. In summary, the aim of this third component of IPM is to establish pest threshold levels with the participation of community members, building residents, contact people and health authorities, where appropriate.

15.1.2.4. Employment of two or more control measures

The purpose of employing two or more control measures is to design and implement an IPM programme that uses as many control measures as necessary to suppress insect and rodent infestations. All practical, reasonable and effective control measures should be considered in the development of the plan. The process of employing two or more control measures is as follows. Control measures may be grouped into five categories: sanitary, mechanical, cultural, biological and che- mical. From these groups, two or more interventions should be selected that will deny pests access to food, water and harbourage and that interrupt the life-cycle of the targe- ted pest. This integrated approach requires the participation of the people who live in infested premises. Residents may be asked to change housekeeping practices, clean interior and exterior areas, place trash in a refuse container equipped with a tight-fitting cover, and other measures designed to discourage pests from living at the site. Prevention is a criti- cal aspect of an integrated programme, and such preventive measures as improved sani- tation, proper waste storage and removal, and other cultural, mechanical or natural methods are used. Other effective measures include sealing cracks and crevices, stopping the intrusion and accumulation of moisture, using physical barriers to block pest entrance points and informing community members particularly owners and occupants of infes- ted premises about actions they can take to control rodent and insect pests. In summary, the aims of this fourth component of IPM are to: • determine the best management practices for control of the identified pest; • develop intervention options; • select the most appropriate intervention option, with community and resident partici- pation; • develop an intervention plan; and • obtain necessary approvals and implement the selected intervention option. Public Health Significance of Urban Pests 551

15.1.4. Case studies and the benefits of IPM