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. Green Shield certification and evaluation services are available to pest control companies, commercial and public buildings and structural pest control programs. 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 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. Green Shield Certified is administered by the IPM Institute of North America, an independent non-profit organization dedicated to build healthier communities and help businesses create sound agricultural practices.