2024_Attachment_4_IPM_Procedural_Guidelines.pdf

The document is the Sarasota County Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Procedural Guidelines, effective June 22, 2015, developed by the Sarasota County Government, specifically the Health and Human Services Department. The guidelines outline a comprehensive approach to pest management that promotes sustainable methods minimizing health, environmental, and economic risks. The IPM program focuses on using a combination of techniques to suppress pest populations, including scouting, inspection, monitoring, and controlled interventions with an emphasis on least-toxic approaches. The document establishes protocols for county departments, contract managers, and pesticide applicators, detailing specific responsibilities for identifying pest problems, selecting control tactics, using approved pesticides, and evaluating results.

The guidelines prohibit certain pesticide categories, including organochlorine and organophosphate insecticides, with restricted use products like Fipronil limited to specific applications such as turf and athletic fields. The document requires all county departments to develop individual IPM plans, establish performance measures to reduce chemical pesticide use, and ensure proper staff training and certification. Contractors and county personnel must adhere to strict procedures for pesticide application, including using the least toxic methods, maintaining detailed records, following EPA label requirements, and prioritizing non-chemical control methods when practical. The guidelines also emphasize environmental considerations, such as minimizing pesticide use near water, preventing drift, and protecting beneficial organisms.