Agnes Scott College
OP-9: Integrated Pest Management

Agnes Scott College contracts with a landscape maintenance company that utilizes an Integrated Pest Management Plan throughout campus. This plan follows the same tiered approach for integrated pest management outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The action threshold for implementation of pest management strategies at Agnes Scott College is when the pest population poses a health risk to the campus population or if the presence of the pest causes damage to the aesthetics of the landscape. Precautionary measures are employed to prevent pests by following a seasonal maintenance schedule (for instance not over watering in the winter so as not to attract mosquitos). Other preventative measures include selecting plants that native and pest resistant and weeding invasive plant species. All turf grasses, trees, ornamental plants and mulched areas are inspected and monitored on a weekly basis. If pest is identified and unable to be deterred by the prevention measures then a control option is evaluated. Methods for control are chosen based on the type of pest and level of infestation. If chemicals are necessary to control the pest they are used in a targeted manner and only used where necessary. In some cases, when all less risky options have been explored, wide spraying of pesticides and chemicals may be necessary to eradicate pests.