IPM STAR School Profiles: Fort Riley Child Development Center, KS

Fort Riley Child Development Center

Fort Riley, KS

July 17, 2006

Pest control excellence at Fort Riley’s Child Development Center (CDC) has been recognized by IPM STAR Certification. Fort Riley’s CDC is the fourth such facility in the nation to receive the award.

Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is defined in the Installation’s Integrated Pest Management Plan as “cultural, mechanical, physical and chemical controls” with chemical controls “used to the least extent possible.”

In plain language, this means that pests are managed with a good dose of common sense. A good example is provided in a pamphlet the pest management team put together to help Fort Riley residents, military units, garrison activities, and associated military businesses manage pests.

“Keep in mind that an occasional fly in the home is an ordinary occurrence. A fly swatter is the best way to manage a small number of flies indoors.”

The Department of Defense, including Fort Riley, has a strong commitment to IPM. A 1993 directive was issued calling for a reduction in the total pounds of pesticides used by the military by 50% by 2003. As of the end of 2004, this goal had been exceeded, with an overall reduction of 59% from 1993 levels.

The accomplishment is a tribute to the abilities of professional staff such as Jerold Spohn, Management Agronomist and IPM Coordinator at Fort Riley. Pesticide applications at the CDC have been nearly eliminated by using alternatives such as caulk and copper mesh to seal potential pest entryways and sticky traps to capture any insects that manage to find their way in.

Mr. Spohn’s stewardship in IPM extends beyond the CDC. Mr. Spohn oversees approximately 40,000 acres of agricultural leases for the installation. Depending on the lease, the lessee is able the either harvest hay or produce a row crop, including soybeans, corn, and grain sorghum. Farmers are limited to a maximum of 2 pounds of total pesticide use per acre per year, with a 10% rent reduction if they utilize less than 1 pound per acre per year.

John Barbur, Ft. Riley'’s Supervisory Agronomist, says pesticide reduction can be a matter of appreciating natural processes. “We used to spray lawns for cicada killer wasps,” he explains. “These can be up to two inches long and really attract attention. They’re only around for three weeks a year though. Now we just keep the kids away from areas where they are active for those three weeks. Spraying for something like that just doesn’t make sense.”

Mr. Spohn prepared a slide presentation for training current and new CDC staff in the IPM principals. The slides include a definition of IPM, how IPM works at the CDC to reduce pest problems and the need for pesticides, and key facts about potential pests. For example, one slide talks about the beneficial aspects of wasps and yellow jackets as predators that can help control caterpillars that can eat garden fruit and vegetable crops.

IPM STAR Certification is presented by the IPM Institute of North America in partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program.

The IPM STAR initiative is being implemented throughout the Army with the support of the US Army Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management and the US Army Environmental Center.

SCHOOLS
schools, childcare centers
school-age child programs

PROFESSIONALS
educators
administrators

SERVICES & FACILITIES
GREEN SHIELD CERTIFIED structural pest management service and facilities