About Green Shield Certified

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.

Because our approach addresses the underlying cause of pest problems, it is more effective than conventional spray-intensive services. Green Shield Certification is available to qualifying pest management providers and to buildings, facilities and programs where our standards are attained.

Green Shield offers certification:

For Pest Management Providers who certify their entire business, making all of their services Green Shield certified.
For individual services offered by Pest Management Providers who also offer conventional, non-certified services.
For facilities including single buildings, multiple buildings or campuses.
For structural pest management programs that may cover multiple buildings that may or may not be under the control of a program manager. Programs may be run by a government entity or a private firm.

Green Shield benefits include:

Press release upon certification
Marketing materials
GSC logo kit
Quarterly webinars
One-on-one consultations
Social media support
GSC clients are eligible for a 15% discount for PestBoss services

Green Shield Certified is recognized by other leading green programs and offers transfer of credits against their programs:

Green Shield Certified is one of two national certification programs that qualifies for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Affordable Housing Preservation’s Mark-to-Market Green Incentives Program.
Green Shield Certified is recognized by the US Green Building Council as a qualifying certification for pest management companies contracting with LEED-certified facilities, and is recognized in the IPM credit requirements for LEED v4.

An integrated approach to pest management

Green Shield Certified uses 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.

Reducing pesticides where we live, work and play

Spray-intensive pest control approaches may make pests go away, but don’t address the root of the pest problem. IPM focuses on long-term, preventive strategies to combat pests. Actions such as improving sanitation practices, installing door sweeps to keep out mice or insects, and fixing leaking plumbing to remove access to water can all reduce the number of pests and prevent pests from coming back. Knowledgeable professionals thoroughly inspect your property and carefully monitor for pests.

Years of research show that IPM is economical and often more effective than conventional pest control measures:

95% reduction in cockroach infestation and allergen contamination in low-income housing after initiation of IPM services.¹
93% reduction in pesticide use in federal government buildings by using IPM techniques over 10 years.²
50% reduction in roach populations documented by an IPM intervention in a public housing facility, versus no significant reduction in a control group over six months.³
30% decrease in public building and grounds pest management costs when one city switched to IPM in 1996.⁴

Environmental Health Watch’s Collaboration with Cuyahoga Housing Authority Demonstrates the Difference Integrated Pest Management Can Make. IPM Case Study. EPA. www.ehw.org/Asthma/ASTH_ HUDRoach_Sum.htm
Green A., Breisch N. L 2002. J Econ. Entomol. 95:1. 1-13
Brenner B.L, Markowitz S., Rivera M., Romero H., Weeks M., Sanchez E., Deych E., Garg, A. Godbold J., Wolff M. S., Landrigan P.J., Berkowitz G. 2003. Environmental Health Perspectives. 111:13. 1649-53.
Washington State Department of Ecology. 1999, Citing U.S. EPA. 1998. The City of Santa Monica’s Environmental Purchasing – A Case Study. EPA

IPM Institute of North America

Green Shield Certified is operated by the IPM Institute of North America, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its expertise and accomplishments in promoting integrated pest management.

Pest Boss

PestBoss Integrated Pest Management Software empowers Facility Managers with the tools to conduct and oversee facility pest management inspections, abatement activities and monitoring reporting. With PestBoss, Facility Managers set the rules, set the pace, and maintain ownership of all IPM data and trending analytics.

Xcluder

Xcluder®, the global leader and innovator in pest exclusion solutions, offers a wide range of products for both commercial and residential applications. Their line of patented, rodent-proof products includes fill fabric for sealing gaps and cracks, entry door sweeps and vertical seals, overhead and roll-up door seals, and truck dock leveler kits.
Xcluder’s proven, cost-effective products are trusted by pest control and facility management professionals worldwide to prevent rodents and other pests from entering a building, thereby improving health and safety. Made in the USA, we work closely with customers and thought leaders in IPM to continually innovate pest exclusion products for the future.