NEW YORK - As part of a comprehensive review of the New York City Health Code the Department of Health has proposed changes to Article 151 which deals with Rodents, Insects and Other Pests.
The main intent of these revisions as stated by the NYC Department of Health is to prevent the infestation of rodent, insect or other pests and to prohibit the existence on any premises of conditions conducive to pest infestations through continuous pest management efforts, the elimination of harborages and requiring property maintenance practices to eliminate or severely limit the presence of pest populations.
On October 20, 2008 a hearing was held for public comments to which NYSPMA was invited to submit comments. The following is a synopsis of the NYSPMA comments.
While NYSPMA supports the overall addition of IPM-based protocols Director of Public Affairs Gil Bloom pointed out a few of the concerns that the structural pest control industry may have with some of the proposed changes. These items include which insects would be included as pests and at what threshold levels would extensive action be required. Responsibility for compliance issues in regard to resident cooperation with pests such as bed bugs and possible additional record keeping in some situations were also in question. NYSPMA is also concerned about some of the language which could be interpreted as pesticide use only as a last resort. At the hearing it was pointed out that an application of a preventive nature in high risk pest areas is necessary to maintain control and in fact it often results in overall less material being applied. In closing Bloom stressed the hope that in the working out of the finer points and devilish details of the proposed changes that those knowledgeable members of the professional community will be conferred with and utilized for their expertise and shared dedication in making New York City an even better place to live, work and visit.