Illinois IPM Association

About

I-IPM is a membership organization supporting the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in sensitive environments including schools, universities, and childcare and healthcare facilities. Benefits of membership include opportunities to network with IPM experts and engage in professional development to improve our skills. Illinois law promotes IPM to reduce risks from pests and pesticides in Illinois schools and childcare facilities due to the sensitive nature of these environments. Your membership can help you maintain compliance.

Member benefits include:

Discount on trainings/early notification of trainings
Recognition through membership directory, certificates and awards
Access to training and other information resources
Continuing Education Units

Networking

Stay connected and advance your career through networking
Gain insight, experience and knowledge from other working practitioners
Attend conferences and meet experts in IPM field

Illinois law promotes IPM to reduce risks from pests and pesticides in Illinois schools and childcare facilities due to the sensitive nature of these environments. Your membership can help you maintain compliance.

Why IPM?

Reduce pest complaints and pesticide use by 70% to 90% with no long-term increase in costs (Chambers et al. 2011, Green and Gouge 2008).

Fewer missed school days for students and staff from better indoor air quality and fewer pests and pest-related allergens including asthma triggers associated with cockroaches, mice and dust mites.

Lower teacher turn over by providing pest-free indoor environments and improved air quality, sanitation and maintenance.

Increased productivity as a result of healthier, more comfortable students and school staff.

Childhood diseases Associated with Pests and Pesticides

The cost of treating asthma in children under 18 years of age exceeds $3.2 billion per year (Centers for Disease Control 2006). More than 12.8 million school days are lost per year due to asthma alone (American Lung Association 2005). The US EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Lung Association recommend reducing pest infestations and adopting IPM in schools as an effective strategy for addressing asthma

Childhood exposure to pesticides has been associated with acute and chronic illnesses including damage to the nervous systems and cancer (Alarcon et al. 2005, Chambers et al. 2011, Green and Gouge 2008).

Environmental Effects of Pests and Pesticides

A recent review published in Science (2013) finds that tree deaths caused by invasive pests and diseases are on the rise. The researchers point to increased global trade volumes as a source of the spread. They call for more work to predict pest outbreaks and manage infestations in natural environments to protect trees and the numerous ecological benefits they provide.

Pesticide contamination of surface and ground water is widespread (Gilliom et al. 2006). Pesticides in the environment can negatively impact non-target organisms, soil health and air quality.

References

Alarcon, W.A., G.M. Calvert, J.M. Blondell, L.N. Mehler, J. Sievert, M. Propeck, D.S. Tibbetts, A. Becker, M. Lackovic, S.B. Soileau, R. Das, J. Beckman, D.P. Male, C.L. Thomsen and M. Stanbury. 2005. Acute illnesses associated with pesticide exposure at schools. J. American Medical Association. 294 (4): 455-65.http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/294/4/455

American Lung Association. 2010. Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality. Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, Research and Program Services, American Lung Association. 43 pp. http://www.lungusa.org/finding-cures/our-research/trend-reports/asthma-trend-report.pdf

Boyd, I.L., P. H. Freer-Smith, C. A. Gilligan, H. C. J. Godfray. 2013. The Consequence of Tree Pests and Diseases for Ecosystem Services. Science Magazine. http://www.sciencemag.org/content/342/6160/1235773

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2006. Addressing Asthma Within a Coordinated School Health Program. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 12 pp. www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/asthma/pdf/strategies.pdf

Chambers, K., T. Green, D. Gouge, J. Hurley, T. Stock, Z. Bruns, M. Shour, C. Foss, F. Graham, K. Murray, L. Braband, S. Glick and M. Anderson. 2011. The Business Case for Integrated Pest Management in Schools: Cutting Costs and Increasing Benefits. 8 pp. http://www.ipminstitute.org/school_ipm_2015/ipm_business_case_print_version.pdf

Gilliom, R.J., J.E. Barash, C.G. Crawford, P.A. Hamilton, J.D. Martin, N. Nakagaki, L.H. Nowell, J.C. Scott, P.E. Stackelber, G.P. Thelin and D.M. Wolock. 2006. The Quality of our Nation’s Waters: Pesticides in the Nation’s Streams and Ground Water, 1992-2001. US Geological Survey Circular 1291. 172 pp. http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/2005/1291/pdf/circ1291_front.pdf

Green, T.A., and D.H. Gouge. 2008. School IPM 2015: A Strategic Plan for Integrated Pest Management in Schools in the United States. 286 pp.

Join Us!

Everyone with a role to play in pest-free facilities is invited to join us:

Facility managers, custodians, maintenance staff, food service staff and administrators.

Landcare professionals including contractors and in-house staff.

Healthcare professionals.

Pest management professionals.

Professional Development Opportunities

How Do We Offer Professional Development? Effective pest management is a part of good building management practices. Success requires a level of engagement with staff, contractors and building occupants to create a healthful environment in which to learn and work. Your membership provides:

A forum for sharing experiences and advice with others.

Workshops and other training opportunities to improve your ability reduce pest complaints, minimize pest use and costs, and improve compliance.

Notification of changes in best practices, laws, or other topics that directly affect IPM practices.

Partnership opportunities with the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service and US EPA.

Responsiveness to your input and needs.