Insects and rodents in education facilities can cause structural damage, and they carry diseases that threaten food safety and the health of students and employees. To effectively prevent infestations and manage pests in a safe and eco-sensitive manner, many schools turn to integrated pest management (IPM) programs that emphasize environmentally friendly techniques. Unlike traditional pest-management programs, an effective IPM program seeks first to deal with the reasons pests are present. IPM follows a series of seven steps to help prevent pest activity and handle small problems before they become full-fledged infestations. The steps are: (1) close inspection; (2) preventive action; (3) proper identification; (4) analysis; (5) treatment options; (6) monitoring; and (7) accurate documentation.