Case Study of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority’s IPM Program 

Many integrated pest management (IPM) implementation projects led by the Northeastern IPM Center have involved small communities where success depends on universal involvement and shared enthusiasm. But what happens when the development in question has hundreds of residents? Can IPM still work?

The experience of Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) at their Winton Terrace development suggests that it is possible. Despite the issues present at a family site, high vacancy rates, and over 600 units, their maintenance-focused strategy brought significant improvements to the property.

Unlike many PHAs, CMHA uses an in-house pest control team at Winton Terrace. Using an in-house team gives CMHA control over reporting, scheduling, and procedures. Moreover, the size of the pilot site actually helped in getting pests under control: with so many units, administrators could test procedures on a fraction of the units to understand what made the difference in pest control. 

From “One-Man Pest Control” to “IPM Team”

Central to CMHA’s success is their long-time pest management professional, Ed Hix. Calm and focused on pests, residents trust Ed, and allow him access to homes. It is heartwarming to see the children welcome him with open arms. Residents report problems to him readily. He respects their privacy and stays very focused on pests in order to keep their trust and cooperation. He always keeps meticulous records of problems and treatments—despite the fact that, before IPM, no one else in the development or the PHA seemed to read them.

To maintain his pest control license, Ed attends pest control conferences. He knew about IPM, but wasn’t sure the concept would work at the housing authority—not because the pests were different, but because IPM is a team approach and he wasn’t sure other staff would want to participate. With the help of the Northeastern IPM Center training, everyone else at Winton Terrace agreed to try IPM whole-heartedly to see if they could make a change.

Ed was already doing many things right, but he was a one-man-show. And he didn’t sign the checks for pest control expenses. His reports were going unread, and he was the only person at the development whom residents could trust to deal with pests. At the IPM training in January 2010, other staff started catching on to what Ed was up to. Luckily, PHA upper management came to the training, so everyone was on the same page.

Once Ed’s skills with residents and habit of taking detailed notes were noticed, staff began to consult with him about pest control. He remains the epicenter of pest management, but his efforts go so much further with the support of other staff. In 2011, Ed received an award from the county and was named Maintenance Person of the Year at the Ohio Housing Authorities Conference.

Ed is still a familiar face to residents, but he no longer has to do his job alone. Now, when he identifies a pest problem that regular treatment alone can’t cure, he brings focus units (that is, units with serious pest problems) to the attention of the property manager Crystal Riep. Crystal inspects the home and refers the resident to a housekeeping class. In this class, residents watch the Northeastern IPM Center’s IPM video and learn how to prevent pests in their home. Finally, a staff person or a member of the community with training in IPM follows up with the residents with one-on-one mentoring until their pest problems are solved. 

Working With High Vacancy Rates

There is no cookie-cutter approach to IPM. Staff must understand the principles and techniques well enough to apply them to the specific conditions in a given location. The Northeastern IPM Center training gave CMHA staff the foundation to develop their own program. At the time of training, the pilot site had a lot of vacant units. Infested vacant units are a problem because

• with no treatment or cleaning the infestation may grow;
• pests may spread to neighboring homes, especially if the area is disrupted or food and water become scarce; and
• maintenance contractors coming in before the unit is re-rented may refuse to work, or they may apply their own concoction of pesticides when they encounter pests.

The maintenance staff realized they could turn this challenge into an opportunity, since empty units also give staff a chance to thoroughly clean and treat pests. In this case, IPM was incorporated into a revamped make-ready procedure.

CMHA realized many benefits to extensively cleaning and renovating vacant units with pest control in mind. Maintenance and pest management staff could access all parts of the unit without getting in the way of residents. They could see trouble spots, like gaps or holes in the walls, without a resident’s belongings in the way. And turning over clean, well-maintained, pest-free units to new tenants sends the message that the PHA cares about pest-free housing. New residents are welcomed into their pest-proofed home, complete with sticky trap monitors—proving that the unit is pest free. This starts the resident off on the right foot and encourages them to do their part to maintain their new home. 

Using Research to Think Like a Cockroach

CMHA staff used their knowledge of cockroach behavior to make their vacant units good for people, but not for pests. Research on German cockroaches—the ones most prevalent in housing—gives insight into their behavior. German cockroaches

• can move in a gap 1/16 inches or more (Wille, 1920);
• prefer 3/16 inch gaps (Berthold & Wilson, 1967);
• tend to congregate where roach feces (frass) already exists (Berthold & Wilson, 1967);
• are most likely to move between apartments when there are adjacent kitchens (Runstrom & Bennett, 1990);
• move with greater ease when common plumbing exists between apartments (Runstrom & Bennett, 1984); and
• move within areas of an apartment (Owens & Bennett, 1982).

An Intensive Make-Ready Strategy 

The CMHA staff tackles empty units according to a methodical make-ready plan.

1. When a unit becomes vacant, management staff conducts a move-out inspection and a make-ready work order is generated: old possessions and other debris are removed.
2. The PMP enters the unit to inspect for pests. If pests are found, the appropriate treatment is used. Either way, a minimum of 6 dated monitors are placed: 1 in each bathroom, 3 in the kitchen (1 near the stove, refrigerator, and kitchen sink respectively), 1 in the living room, and 1 in the master bedroom.
3. The “Make-Ready Crew” cleans thoroughly—removing pest food, old bait, and any pest evidence. They scrub dirt, grease, and pest droppings off of every surface (including floors, walls, ceilings, windows, and appliances). Old caulk is removed, too.
4. “Make-Ready Crew” makes necessary repairs to electrical and plumbing equipment and seals any holes or gaps greater than ½ inch. In the event the repairs needed are extensive, Maintenance will assist.
5. The Make-Ready Crew returns to seal all cracks and openings —anywhere that might let pests in or give them somewhere to hide. They are particularly detail oriented in the kitchen and bathrooms.
6. The PMP returns and checks the monitors. Trap counts are recorded and treatment is repeated if necessary. Monitoring and treatment continues until pests are no longer present. The PMP also double checks all the cleaning and repairs. When he is satisfied, he gives the OK for the unit to be painted.
7. The unit is painted.
8. Once the contractor is has completed the unit he or she comes to the office to notify staff; the Property Management Specialist accompanies the contractor to inspect the unit before the unit is released for occupancy.
9. The Property Management Specialist moves the new residents into the home, using the pest-free sticky traps as a way to start the conversation about pest control expectations and IPM.

In the first year, CMHA has seen great results. Chemical costs have been cut in half, resident-generated pest work orders have been reduced, and staff members feel like their pest control strategy is more effective. IPM works, even with a large family development. CMHA had such good success that they are currently implementing the process in their other two large family developments and high rises.

Works Cited

• Berthold, Jr. R. & B.R. Wilson. 1967. “Resting Behavior of the German Cockroach, Blattella germanica.” Annals of the Entomological Society of America. 60(2): 347-351.
• Owens, J. M. & G. W. Bennett. 1982. “German cockroach movement within and between urban apartments.” J. Econ. Entomol. 75: 570-573.
• Runstrom, E. S. & G. W. Bennett. 1984. “Movement of German cockroaches (Orthoptera: Blattellidae) as influenced by structural features of low-income apartments.” J. Econ. Entomol. 77: 407-411.
• Runstrom, E. S. & G. W. Bennett. 1990. “Distribution and Movement Patterns of German Cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) Within Apartment Buildings.” J. Med. Entomol. 27(4): 515-518.
• Wille, J. 1920. “Biologic und Bekampfung der deutschen Schabe (Phyllodromia gcrmanica L.).” Monogr. Angew. Entomol.

Here's the third, and final, part of the series I've been re-posting from School IPM 2015. This final article in the three-part series focuses on pest proofing in kitchens and cafeterias, classrooms and other interior spaces in new construction and existing school buildings. Although public housing developments don't all have these spaces, many do. And most of the tips hold-true regardless of the room function. 

Well Designed Can Equal Pest Free

Kitchens provide a particular challenge to pest management, with many opportunities for food, water and harborage. In all kitchens and cafeterias, flooring should be durable and easy to clean. Traditional ceramic tile floors have a tendency to crack and deteriorate over time, allowing water and organic material to penetrate and attract pests. Epoxy finishes and sealed concrete floors are growing in popularity and, if maintained properly, do not provide harborage for pests. 

Failure to plan enough storage space leads to unnecessary clutter and items being stored on the floor and stacked against walls. Dr. Michael Merchant, professor and extension urban entomologist at Texas AgriLife Extension Service, recommends space-efficient stainless steel shelving on wheels and 12-18" of clearance under all shelves to allow for inspection and cleaning. Wire shelving prevents food particles and other debris from collecting on shelves. 

Suspended ceilings, which leave space above for ductwork or wiring, "can become super-highways for rodents," says Dr. Chris Geiger, municipal toxics reduction coordinator for the San Francisco Department of the Environment. All penetrations for ducts, wires or pipes in these areas should be sealed to prevent rodents from traveling easily from one part of the building to another. Additionally, avoid using coved baseboards, or those that curve in at the bottom, because they can create a space behind the baseboards that isn't easily inspected or cleaned.

Dry floor drains are an open invitation for pests to enter your facility, especially American cockroaches and rodents. Ensuring that traps in infrequently used drains are filled with water can prevent pest entry. Mineral oil can also be added to slow evaporation.

Rubber trap guards can be used to seal the drain when it's not in use while allowing water to pass through. All drains should be located in accessible places, so they can be easily inspected and cleaned. 

Sealing Out Pests

Openings around electrical conduits, heating ducts and plumbing pipes should be sealed because they can be used as passageways by rodents and insects. Sewell Simmons' article, "Pest Prevention Construction Guidelines and Practices," published in the Journal of School Business Management, suggests that, "Junctures where utilities such as pipes and cables enter structures require special consideration to prevent pest entry." Pipes, ducts and cables that run through walls should fit tightly, with no space around the edges, using fire-stop sealant where recommended or required.

According to Geiger, "To facilitate easy inspections, plumbing and electrical areas of the building should be designed with easy access in mind." Leaking pipes provide a source of water for pests including mold. Mechanical, electrical and information technology rooms or closets generally have penetrations that may require inspection and maintenance, and also often contain heat sources that are attractive to pests.

Cockroaches are thigmotactic, meaning they prefer to rest where surfaces touch both the top and bottom of their bodies. This makes crevices behind bulletin boards, paper towel dispensers, mirrors and even paper announcements tacked to the wall good hiding places. These are especially attractive to roaches when they are located in kitchens, which can also provide convenient food and water sources. Permanent wall-mounted fixtures should be sealed around the edges. Papers should be taped all the way around the edges to prevent cockroaches from getting underneath. 

Remember that even with initial pest-proofing or building renovations, facility managers should conduct a thorough walk-through annually to check for cracks and crevices, broken door sweeps, moisture and mold growth, termite tunnels and bird roosts. Although a contracted PMP may be providing regular updates, staff should also conduct their own evaluation as part of their oversight. According to School IPM 2015: A Strategic Plan for Integrated Pest Management in Schools in the United States, a written IPM inspection checklist can be used for periodic inspections, listing each area to be inspected and providing a space to note needed repairs.

Geiger summarizes, "It all boils down to food, water, harborage and access. If you can minimize those things, you're making good progress towards an effective IPM program."