Open Forum

Hi Catherine,

I've found that IPM education is an ongoing process. There's always staff turnover and people come from so many different experiences that some will be quite knowledgeable about pest management issues and others will never have heard about it. I think a survey will only give you a current snapshot that could likely change rapidly with changes in staff, but perhaps that can also be part of your education process.

My recommendation would be to first put together the points that are non-negotiable. No food in the collections storage areas, for example. Regular maintenance of spaces and removal of trash, etc. Then evaluate those; what is already being done and what needs to be improved with those non-negotiable points?

To be most effective, IPM requires all staff at the museum to work together. Educate, regularly, and try to make it fun. I send out pest of the month fliers, featuring different pests that present problems for our scientific collections and archives, health problems for our live animals and have addressed ones that present problems for staff and visitors, and horticultural pests as we have live plants for our butterfly haven and exhibit grounds.

Having an IPM committee also helps ensure collaboration. Which staff/positions would benefit from being involved? These people will ultimately help support an institutional program if it is done collaboratively.

Dawn

Hi Catherine,

I've found that IPM education is an ongoing process. There's always staff turnover and people come from so many different experiences that some will be quite knowledgeable about pest management issues and others will never have heard about it. I think a survey will only give you a current snapshot that could likely change rapidly with changes in staff, but perhaps that can also be part of your education process.

My recommendation would be to first put together the points that are non-negotiable. No food in the collections storage areas, for example. Regular maintenance of spaces and removal of trash, etc. Then evaluate those; what is already being done and what needs to be improved with those non-negotiable points?

To be most effective, IPM requires all staff at the museum to work together. Educate, regularly, and try to make it fun. I send out pest of the month fliers, featuring different pests that present problems for our scientific collections and archives, health problems for our live animals and have addressed ones that present problems for staff and visitors, and horticultural pests as we have live plants for our butterfly haven and exhibit grounds.

Having an IPM committee also helps ensure collaboration. Which staff/positions would benefit from being involved? These people will ultimately help support an institutional program if it is done collaboratively.

Dawn

Hi Catherine,

I've found that IPM education is an ongoing process. There's always staff turnover and people come from so many different experiences that some will be quite knowledgeable about pest management issues and others will never have heard about it. I think a survey will only give you a current snapshot that could likely change rapidly with changes in staff, but perhaps that can also be part of your education process.

My recommendation would be to first put together the points that are non-negotiable. No food in the collections storage areas, for example. Regular maintenance of spaces and removal of trash, etc. Then evaluate those; what is already being done and what needs to be improved with those non-negotiable points?

To be most effective, IPM requires all staff at the museum to work together. Educate, regularly, and try to make it fun. I send out pest of the month fliers, featuring different pests that present problems for our scientific collections and archives, health problems for our live animals and have addressed ones that present problems for staff and visitors, and horticultural pests as we have live plants for our butterfly haven and exhibit grounds.

Having an IPM committee also helps ensure collaboration. Which staff/positions would benefit from being involved? These people will ultimately help support an institutional program if it is done collaboratively.

Dawn

Hi Catherine,

I've found that IPM education is an ongoing process. There's always staff turnover and people come from so many different experiences that some will be quite knowledgeable about pest management issues and others will never have heard about it. I think a survey will only give you a current snapshot that could likely change rapidly with changes in staff, but perhaps that can also be part of your education process.

My recommendation would be to first put together the points that are non-negotiable. No food in the collections storage areas, for example. Regular maintenance of spaces and removal of trash, etc. Then evaluate those; what is already being done and what needs to be improved with those non-negotiable points?

To be most effective, IPM requires all staff at the museum to work together. Educate, regularly, and try to make it fun. I send out pest of the month fliers, featuring different pests that present problems for our scientific collections and archives, health problems for our live animals and have addressed ones that present problems for staff and visitors, and horticultural pests as we have live plants for our butterfly haven and exhibit grounds.

Having an IPM committee also helps ensure collaboration. Which staff/positions would benefit from being involved? These people will ultimately help support an institutional program if it is done collaboratively.

Dawn

Hi Catherine,

I've found that IPM education is an ongoing process. There's always staff turnover and people come from so many different experiences that some will be quite knowledgeable about pest management issues and others will never have heard about it. I think a survey will only give you a current snapshot that could likely change rapidly with changes in staff, but perhaps that can also be part of your education process.

My recommendation would be to first put together the points that are non-negotiable. No food in the collections storage areas, for example. Regular maintenance of spaces and removal of trash, etc. Then evaluate those; what is already being done and what needs to be improved with those non-negotiable points?

To be most effective, IPM requires all staff at the museum to work together. Educate, regularly, and try to make it fun. I send out pest of the month fliers, featuring different pests that present problems for our scientific collections and archives, health problems for our live animals and have addressed ones that present problems for staff and visitors, and horticultural pests as we have live plants for our butterfly haven and exhibit grounds.

Having an IPM committee also helps ensure collaboration. Which staff/positions would benefit from being involved? These people will ultimately help support an institutional program if it is done collaboratively.

Dawn