My efforts with the New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program address the management and reduction of health and economic risks from pests and pest management techniques, including pesticides. My work encompasses pests of communities, schools, homes, municipal facilities, hospitals, parks, and all non-agricultural settings. Through research, demonstration projects, written and electronic materials, and personal outreach and interaction, I engage a variety of audiences in the use and promotion of IPM as an ideal approach to pest problems that can reduce the risks of exposure to pesticides as well as reduce the possibility of economic losses or health problems associated with pests.

Public awareness of pesticide exposure risks, especially in the home and community environment, has increased greatly in the past ten years. However emerging diseases and pests, such as cockroach-induced asthma, West Nile Virus, and bed bugs, along with the reduction of the types of pesticide tools available have created critical needs in community pest management. Integrated pest management (IPM) outreach can help meet these needs by providing effective and safe ways to manage pests. Sensitive areas, such as schools, child care facilities, public housing, and hospitals are national priorities for IPM research, education, and outreach because these areas typically include at-risk populations. This program effort is needed because the practice of community pest management, in and around buildings and in the outdoor human environment, must become safer, more sustainable, and more environmentally sound, yet remain economical. Every person is potentially affected by the risks of pests and pesticide use in the human environment. However, sensitive populations, such as children, are often the focus of community IPM programs. My efforts in New York and the Northeast region is an important contribution to the large and growing body of expertise and information that is bringing about change in management of risks associated with pest management in communities.

I focus on the promotion of integrated pest management IPM). In 2006 I gave 16 lectures to a variety of audiences: academic, professional, and layperson, totaling about 675 people. I also consulted with individuals, organizations, schools, and municipalities on more than 10 occasions for major pest issues. IPM was promoted in multiple settings, including schools, child care facilities, homes, parks, athletic fields, offices, food service areas, and historical properties. I developed a comprehensive pesticide risk reduction plan for a major New York municipality, including training recommendations for staff. I evaluated a non-chemical pest management method for managing wasps and bees. I participated in workshops that helped network academics and professionals, educate pest control practitioners, and promote IPM technology. My program has a continuing focus on outreach and education for the emerging pest issue of bed bugs. I have interacted with staff from many public schools in New York, helping facilities managers develop and implement IPM programs in their schools, or providing diagnosis and control recommendations for specific issues. The New York City Board of Education and the Department of Health have both become major stakeholders in our program in 2006. Several projects were accomplished, and more are planned. I also serve on two county-wide pesticide phase-out committees, where IPM is replacing the need for routine pesticide use on municipal properties.

In 2006, I helped the New York City Dept. of Education adopt IPM methods, follow New York City Local Law 37 (a pesticide reduction law), and to maintain pest-free facilities, plus regain IPM STAR certification from the IPM Institute of North America. This effort directly benefits over 1.2 million children in New York. Bed bugs are a growing problem, with no socioeconomic boundaries. My outreach has helped raise awareness and promote optimal management strategies while reducing the economic and health impact of bed bugs and pesticides used in control. A guidebook for IPM of wasps and bees was drafted and reviewed. I also lead a project to develop a web-based IPM resource for trees and shrubs that will be accessible to a wide range of audiences nationwide, yet focused on management of pests specific to New York. This will be among the first of its kind and will compliment the Cornell pesticide guidelines. I represented Cornell in the development of IPM recommendations for a storm-water pollution prevention plan that will help preserve fresh and marine surface water from the effects of pesticide and fertilizer contamination. I fielded over 40 phone calls from New Yorkers and others about pest problems, with an emphasis on bed bugs. As a result of my work, schools and municipalities are continuing to improve the quality of pest management and the pest control industry, as well as environmental and health advocates, are being engaged in the concept and practice of sensible pest management.

Integrated Pest Management

• Caroline Bragdon (NYC DHMH)
• Daniel Kass (NYC DHMH)
• Michael Siciliano (NYC Department of Education)
• Thomas Greene (The IPM Institute of North America)
• Craig Hollingsworth (Department of Entomology, U. Massachusetts at Amherst)
• Gil Bloom (NY State Pest Management Association)
• Tamson Yeh (Suffolk County Cooperative Extension)
• Stephen Cabrera (Dvirka and Bartilucci, Consulting Engineers, Woodbury NY)
• Marty Sailus (NRAES, Ithaca, NY)
• Carolyn Klass (Dept of Entomology, Cornell University)