Green Shield Certified

http://www.greenshieldcertified.org

Green Shield Certified standards are science-based, industry tested ways to control pests without using pesticides, unless no other option is available. 

Green Shield Certified is an independent, non-profit certification program that promotes practitioners of effective, prevention-based pest control while minimizing the need to use pesticides. Their approach addresses the underlying cause of pest problems and is more effective than conventional spray-intensive services. Green Shield Certification is available to qualifying pest control professionals and to buildings and facilities where their standards are attained.

Green Shield Certified is a program that certifies pest management providers that follow stringent Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM is an effective, prevention-based pest management system that implements non-chemical approaches to correct the conditions that lead to pest problems and pesticides only when necessary. 

Green Shield certification ensures improved pest management while reducing health risks to occupants and residents, especially those in sensitive environments like hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Many local and state governments have adopted green building practices and IPM is recognized in some of these standards, such as the US Green Building Council’s LEED program where one point is awarded to buildings using IPM.

Luis Agurto, president of PESTEC, San Francisco, CA, one of the first companies to become Green Shield Certified, says "Green Shield Certified gives my customers third-party assurance that what we say is what we do. It tells them we're a cutting-edge pest control service provider." And, because prevention-based strategies usually cost no more than conventional pest control services, and in many cases offer opportunities for reduced costs, pest management providers can improve their bottom line.

Green Shield Certified is run by the IPM Institute of North America, an independent non-profit organization that has worked to reduce pesticide use in agricultural and community settings since 1998. Please visit www.ipminstitute.org for more information about the IPM Institute's current projects including the Green Shield Certified program.

They rely upon Integrated pest management (IPM) which is a proven, cost-effective strategy to combat pest problems without unnecessary pesticide use. By correcting the conditions that lead to pest problems and using approved pesticides only when necessary, IPM provides more effective pest control while reducing pesticide use.