Integrated pest management (IPM) aims to limit the negative impacts that conventional pest control often has on the health of building occupants. The goal of IPM is to avoid unnecessary use of pesticides and prioritize the use of least-toxic methods for managing pests. 

This credit offers two paths for meeting the requirements. Under the first option you’ll need to create and adopt an IPM plan and implement it 100% of the time.

Alternatively, teams can use a pest vendor that is certified by one of the allowable third party certification programs.

Pest management activity performed by tenants must be addressed under this credit and tracked in your IPM tracking tool, regardless of which compliance path you select. This credit can be difficult to earn if pest management services aren’t provided throughout the building by a common vendor. That said, up to 10% of the floor area may be excluded from this credit if it is under separate management control.

For projects that choose the IPM plan route, remember to use the template created by USGBC to develop your plan.

What’s New in LEED v4

• The exterior pest management requirements from SSc3 and the interior pest management requirements from EQc3.6 have been combined into a single credit.
• Pest population tracking must be included in your pest activity log. The credit now requires teams to conduct a pest inventory and establish pest population thresholds.
• A new compliance option for using a certified IPM service has been added.
• The window for alerting occupants of non-least toxic pesticide application under normal conditions (e.g. non-emergency) has been reduced. Notice must be given at least 24 hours before the application, rather than at least 72 hours before.

Readiness Review Questions

• Does the project building have a staff member dedicated to managing pest issues? If not, it is important to designate at least one point person to develop and implement the integrated pest management plan. 

• Do existing vendors offer environmentally friendly services? If they don’t, are they willing to learn and adopt new practices? Can IPM requirements be included in contract documents?
• Are pest populations identified and monitored? Who performs regular pest population inspections, and where is this information recorded?
• What types of non-chemical preventive pest measures are currently used at the building and site? Are sanitation practices and structural repairs used as a first step to managing pests?
• Are chemical controls considered a last resort for managing pest populations? Can your vendor and operations staff source non- or least-toxic pesticide products?
• What communication strategies are in place to communicate with building users about pesticide applications? Can these strategies be modified to meet the notification requirements outlined in this credit?