Pest Control Policy
Mark Job, mj2127@columbia.edu
Executive Director, Purchasing

Last October, Columbia University implemented a new pest control policy developed by a Task Force of Purchasing, Medical Center and Morningside campus representatives. Four vendors were awarded all pest control work on the campuses under one uniform specification coordinated by the Facilities group.

The Task Force focused on the need to aggregate the campuses’ efforts by employing fewer contractors to serve a uniform, consistent effort. The group selected the four vendors, two of whom work on the Morningside campus, one with Residential and Commercial Operations, and one with the Medical Center. A significant part of the new policy and its implementation is the vendors’ partnering with Columbia’s facilities and building operations departments.

The focus of the campus policy is the Task Force’s concern for long-term improvement, with preventative measures as a significant form of pest control. Each of the vendors has a three-year contract, with two renewable one-year terms. Through this arrangement, the vendors can see the benefit of investing in prevention measures providing an environmentally sensitive approach going forward. This both benefits the University effort and demonstrates the vendors’ efficiency and accountability.

The approach encourages pest control companies to assist maintaining buildings and initiate repairs rather than increase the use of baits and traps. This translates, in large part, to repairing cracks, crevices, holes and any other type of opening that encourages pest access.

Each vendor must get approval from Columbia’s Environmental Health & Safety Department for any products used on the campuses. Only EPA-approved products are permitted, and no pesticides may be stored on the premises.

The vendors’ contract also requires they have access to a qualified entomologist at all times.


<-- Return to All Other Projects