LEED AP with Operations and Maintenance (O+M ) Practice Exam

What is an important action for a project to comply with the Integrated Pest Management standard?

1. Keep all vegetation around the building

2. Educate staff on pest control measures

3. Conduct frequent historical reviews of pest populations

4. Control the level of acceptable pesticides used

The correct answer is: Educate staff on pest control measures

Educating staff on pest control measures is crucial for complying with the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) standard because it empowers individuals involved in the management and maintenance of a facility to recognize pest problems early and implement appropriate solutions. Training helps staff understand the strategies that reduce pest presence without solely relying on chemical interventions, thereby promoting a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to pest management. In an effective IPM program, the emphasis is on prevention, monitoring, and control using a combination of cultural, biological, and chemical practices. An informed staff can help identify conducive conditions for pests and employ preventative measures based on best practices. This knowledge not only helps reduce reliance on pesticides but also ensures that any treatment applied is judicious and lethally targeted, minimizing harm to non-target species and the environment. Actions like maintaining all vegetation around the building or conducting frequent historical reviews of pest populations may contribute indirectly to pest management efforts but do not encompass the proactive and comprehensive approach that education provides. Similarly, controlling the level of acceptable pesticides used is a part of integrated pest management, but without education, it may not lead to the most effective outcomes in pest prevention and control. Thus, staff training is an essential element for achieving compliance with IPM standards.