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IPM for Health Care and Public Buildings

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IPM for Health Care and Public Buildings

Integrated Pest Management for Health Care and Public Buildings

When managing pests in health care facilities and public buildings, facility managers and pesticide applicators need to use integrated pest management (IPM). Using IPM helps to protect the health of vulnerable populations and people visiting these locations by minimizing the potential for exposure to pesticides.  Health care facilities include hospitals, nursing homes, or other similar locations where people may stay for one or more nights and receive medical care and is not a private home. Public buildings include buildings owned or operated by a federal, state, or local government including public universities. 

In Michigan, health care facilities and public buildings must have an IPM Program in place for the building prior to the application of a pesticide in the building. Additionally, the person applying the pesticide needs to complete verifiable IPM training prior to the application.

 

  • Each building at a health care facility or public building needs to have an IPM Program in place prior to the application of a pesticide in the building. A summary of IPM Program requirements include:

    • IPM practices and principles and an assessment of how human health and the environment can be impacted.
    • Detailed recordkeeping maintained by the pesticide applicator.
    • Provision of IPM program and records to the building manager.
    • Acceptance of responsibility by the building manager to post signage provided by the pesticide applicator.

    Health care facilities and public buildings may use MDARD's IPM program template. 

    • Integrated Pest Management training materials must be approved by MDARD, and completion of training needs to be verified.
    • Applicators and staff interested in completing training may review the IPM Training Manual developed by MDARD. Review questions at the end of the manual should be completed with the individual’s immediate supervisor. Don’t forget to complete and send the verification form to MDARD.
    • If you prefer to develop your own IPM training, visit the IPM training website or contact MDARD at MDARD-pesticide@Michigan.gov to learn more about what is required and how to get it approved.