Issue link: https://hi.iaq.net/i/655416
Energy Savings Plus Health | INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR MULTIFAMILY BUILDING UPGRADES 67 PEST CONTROL (continued) Actions ➾ Application by Need: Whenever possible, spot treatments should be used rather than area-wide appli- cations. Applied pesticides must be beyond the reach of children and pets (e.g., inside sealed cracks and cavities; in approved, secured bait stations). Employ the least hazardous material, most precise application technique and minimum quantity of pesticide necessary to achieve control. Ensure applica- tion of products containing pesticides render the pesticides inaccessible to occupants, visitors, pets (if allowed) and staff. ➾ Specificity: Employ pesticides that are specific to target pests. ➾ Prohibited Products: Pesticide sprays (unless an insect growth regulator or needed to address bedbug infestations), foggers or bombs, and organophosphate or chlorinated hydrocarbons pesticides are not permitted. ➾ Pesticide Storage: The pest control contractor should not store any pesticide product in the building. ➾ Notification: Pest control contractors should be required to provide written notice to the property management and occupants of the intention to apply any pesticide, and post signage in the areas to be treated, all at least 24 hours prior to application. It is recommended that this notice be given 72 hours in advance of the pesticide application so that occupants can prepare their dwelling units for the application and arrange to be away from the property, if necessary. Rooms of dwelling units and other areas to be sprayed with insecticides must have signage posted at conspicuous locations and entries at least 24 hours prior to application. ➾ Compliance and Enforcement: Individuals applying pesticides must do so in a manner not only con- sistent with federal laws, but also consistent with state and local laws. In general, states have primary authority for compliance monitoring and enforcing against use of pesticides in violation of the labeling requirements. Additionally, the agency with primary responsibility for pesticides differs from state to state. Usually it is a state's department of agriculture, but may be a state's environmental agency or other agency. • Insect Control: Insecticides are to be applied as "crack and crevice" treatments (i.e., the insecticide is not visible to a bystander during or after the application process). For cockroaches, baits, gels, growth regulators and boric acid are preferred. • Rodent Control: As a rule, rodent control inside and around buildings shall be accomplished with trapping devices only. ➾ Trapping Devices: Trapping devices shall be out of public view to avoid being disturbed by routine cleaning. Devices shall be checked on a defined schedule and the pest management contractor shall be responsible for disposing of all trapped rodents. ➾ Bait Boxes: All bait boxes shall be placed out of general view, in locations where they will not be disturbed by routine operations. Bait boxes shall have lids securely locked or fastened and shall be secured so they cannot be picked up or moved. Bait boxes shall be labeled with the contractor's busi- ness name and address, and dated by the contractor's technician at the time of installation and each servicing. ➾ Rodenticides: In exceptional circumstances, when rodenticides are deemed essential, the contractor shall obtain approval from the building owner or property manager. All rodenticides, regardless of packaging, shall be placed in locations not accessible to children, pets, wildlife and domestic animals; or the rodenticides shall be in EPA-approved tamper-resistant bait boxes. • Occupant Education: Contract documents should include provisions for the pest control professional to provide on-site occupant education, in conjunction with building owner or property manager. 2. Ensure the building owner, property manager and maintenance staff undertake the following activities: • Preventative Measures: Maintenance staff will help prevent pest issues by: ➾ Providing regular housekeeping in common areas, hallways, stairwells, laundry rooms and mainte- nance/utility areas. ➾ Sealing cracks, holes and crevices to prevent pest entry.