Environmentally Friendly Pest Control an Option for Property Managers

Orkin and BOMA International Publish Free Green Pest Control Checklist Online

Property managers can download the green pest management checklist at BOMA.org or at Orkin University Online (visit orkincommercial.com and click on “About Orkin”).

ATLANTA, September 29, 2008 – Orkin Commercial Services and Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International have published a free online five-step checklist designed to help property managers implement environmentally friendly pest control practices in their buildings and work toward green building certification.

“Traditionally, pest control has not been thought of as a green practice,” said Orkin Director of Training Ron Harrison, PhD. “We’re trying to help people realize that there’s a more environmentally sound way to prevent and treat pest problems and that pest control can support their broader green building initiatives if it’s done right.”

The green pest management checklist guides property managers through the process of implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) – an environmentally conscious approach that combines a number of prevention and control methods, with chemical treatments typically a last resort – into their existing facility maintenance plans. Doing so can help commercial properties earn credits toward green building certifications, such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Certification.

Many green building certifications require buildings to meet specific benchmarks and credits within several categories. Pest control typically falls under the Indoor Environmental Quality – Green Cleaning category.

“Going green with pest control can make buildings cleaner and healthier places for people to live, work and play,” said BOMA International Chairman and Chief Elected Officer Brenna S. Walraven. “We’re excited to partner with Orkin to deliver this simple, straightforward checklist to make ‘going green’ with pest control easier for property managers to implement.”

About BOMA International

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is an international federation of more than 90 local associations and affiliated organizations. BOMA’s 16,500-plus members own or manage more than 9 billion square feet of commercial properties in North America and throughout the world. The mission of BOMA International is to enhance the human, intellectual and physical assets of the commercial real estate industry through advocacy, education, research, standards and information. Founded in 1907, BOMA International celebrates 100 years of commercial real estate in 2007.