To earn this credit, you need to design a plan for integrated pest management (IPM), and implement it 100% of the time. This approach to pest management limits the negative impacts that conventional pest management often has on the health of building occupants and uses the least-toxic means of pest management possible.

Put it in writing

Be sure to incorporate your chosen best practices and integrated methods directly into vendor contracts and standard operating procedures. Many teams are already using compliant practices, like pest monitoring and sanitation. If you’re in that position, focus your efforts on expanding and formalizing your current best practices into a comprehensive plan. Work with your vendors to establish compliant best practices, including:

• using chemical pesticides only as a last resort;
• familiarize your team and vendors with the San Francisco list and use only the approved pesticides on the list;
• and provide appropriate notification to occupants whenever toxic pesticides are applied.

Your vendor is your friend

This credit depends heavily on how well you can work with your vendors and make sure that everyone is following compliant practices. If none of your current practices comply, you and your building management and vendor will have to develop a comprehensive plan that meets all of the credit requirements.

Minimal costs are involved with revising vendor contracts and implementing environmental best management practices. Some green practices or products may carry small premiums. For example, additional site visits by your contractors for proactive pest monitoring may carry additional hourly charges. On the other hand, reduced use of pesticides and better preventive practices may reduce costs.

If your plan is created by an in-house staff person familiar with and responsible for maintaining the project site, there will be minimal costs associated with creating the credit documentation.

Two for one

Streamline your documentation by creating one Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for both indoor and outdoor pest management, which is covered under SSc3: Integrated Pest Management, Erosion Control, and Landscape Management Plan.  

Consider these questions when approaching this credit

• Your project building may already use components of an IPM program, even if it does not yet have an IPM plan.
  • Are pests controlled through mechanical and biological controls rather than chemicals?
  • Are sanitation practices and structural repairs used to resolve pest issues in and around the facility?
  • Are pest populations monitored and inspected?
  • What types of preventive pest management exist at the project building and site?
  • Are chemical controls considered a last resort for managing pest populations?
• Do existing vendors offer environmentally friendly services? If they don’t, are they willing to learn and adopt new practices?
• Does the project building have a staff member dedicated to managing pest and landscape issues?
  • If not, it is important to designate at least one point person to develop and implement the comprehensive Integrated Pest Management Plan.
  • If so, it is important to get that designated person involved from the start of the project to ensure that all environmental best management practices are thoroughly developed, included in any related vendor contracts, and implemented on an ongoing basis.