Protecting Children in Schoi
* from Pests and P<
Office of Pesticide Programs (7506C)
Washington, DC 20460
EPA-735F02014
www.epa.gov/pesticides
September 2002 (Reprint)
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IPM in Schools: Success Stories
The U S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sees protecting children's health
as one of its highest pnoi ities EPA is helping schools understand and implement
IPM by distributing printed publications and awarding grants to start IPM programs
that demonstrate success Here cue some examples of successful IPM
instralions
»rrty, Indiana, achieved a 92 percent reduction in
pesticide use, enabling them to also direct their cost savings to hire a
district-wide coordinator to oversee pest management in the schools.
As a result of this achievement Monroe County was awarded the
Governor's Award for fbllutio
lolin Coder, Director or Planning, Monroe County
Community Schools Corporation, Indiona
"IPM is a reasonable, commomense, good maintenance and sanitation practice. Not only is it the
right thing to do environmentolry, it is healthier for children and staff IPM does not have to be
burdensome to be done correctly, monitoring can mean putting out sticky traps to find out if you
realty have a pest problem. IPM has been easy, cost effective, and successful at controlling both
indoor and outdoor pests,"
Sue Kamuda. Facilities Seivice Cooidmatot, Hinsdole, Illinois;
Our IPM program reduced pesttatie use 90
percent between 1988 and 1990. Pesticide use has
been cut from 5,000 applications in 1985 to none
four years later, saving the school district $1,800
per school and $30,000 at the food service
warehouse."
Richard Slock, 1PM Administrator, Montgomery
County Public Schools,
In the Vtsto de las Cruces School in California, pest
management costs went from $1,740 a year to
* o7r* ' ' -' * *- - ^ - *
Phil Boise. IPM / Agronomy Piogroms Manugei,
Santa Barbara, CaNtarn-a
"The Kyrene School District reduced pesticide applications by 90 percent and kept pest populations
below 85 percent of their original levels by using IPM. Due to the overwhelming success, their IPM
program was expanded to all the Kyrene district schools in spring 2001 (27 schools)."
Stan Peterson. Ktyene School Ditfntt FaulitiF>s Manager Aozar
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Here is How You Can Get Started
There are several resources available where you can learn more about IPM, or get the tools to start an 1PM program at your
school. Below are some Web sites that we recommend you bookmark. We have also included a detachable bookmark that can
further serve you as a reference.
EPA's IPM in Schools Web site provides fact sheets,
tool kits, information on IPM workshops, IPM grants,
partnerships, other links, and more.
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm
The site also provides an online copy of the popular EPA
booklet, "Pest Control in the School Environment: Adopting
IPM."
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm/brochure
The University of Florida's IPM in Schools Web
site provides a wealth of valuable, free, useful information
for school administrators, staff members, pest managers,
and parents to start an IPM program.
http://scnoo!i pm. ifas.ufl.edu
BPA-supported Technical Resource Centers for IPM
in schools and daycares: (The following centers have
been created to provide tools, training, and technical
support for schools and daycare centers to start an IPM
program. Training opportunities, IPM principles, and
specific management techniques are available for custodial
and maintenance staff.)
Purdue University's IPM Technical Resource Center
serves only Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and
Wisconsin.
http://www.entm.purdue.edu/entomotogy/outreach/schootiprn
1-877-668-8IPM (1 -877-668-8476)
Texas A&M University's IPM Technical Resource
Center serves only Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
http://schoolipm.tamu.edu
1-877-747-6872
EPA's School IPM Directory provides specific State contacts
for more information, fact sheets, manuals, training, and more.
http://www.epa.gov/reg5foia/pest/ipm/index.html
Video: Integrated Pest Management in Schools (A Better
Method) explains in simple language what IPM is and how to
get a program started.
312-641 -5575 or http://spcpweb.org
The ABCs of IPM: A Modular Video Training Course is
available from the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
http://TCEbookstore.org (click on insects}
How Do You Know if Your School Is REALLY Using IPM?
IPM is:
An effective and environmentally sensitive
approach to pest management.
A program that relies on a
combination of commonsense
practices.
A management strategy based on
communication and education, and
supported by a committed and
empowering school administration.
A partnership between the school
community (including concerned
parents) and a qualified pest
management professional who can
both implement and communicate
about IPM.
Elimination or reduction of tht
reasons that insects, rodents, and plants become pests.
Knowledge of when and how to remedy pest problems.
Prevention of pest entry into school facilities.
Integration of cultural, mechanical, and lowest-impact
chemical control technologies.
Examples of IPM Practices:
Vegetation, shrubs, and wood mulch should be kept at least
one foot away from structures.
Cracks and crevices in walls, floors,
and pavement are either filled or
eliminated.
Lockers and desks are emptied and
throughly cleaned at least twice
yearly.
Food-contaminated dishes, utensils,
surfaces are cleaned by the end of
each day.
Garbage cans and dumpsters are
cleaned regularly.
Litter is collected and disposed of
properly at least once a week.
The problem or pest is identified before taking action.
Fertilizers are applied several times (e.g., spring, summer, fall)
during the year, rather than one heavy application.
If pesticides are necessary, spot treatments are used rather
than area-wide applications.
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Pesticides Pose Potential Risks
in Schools
Your school community may be exposed to pests as well as the
pesticides used to control these pests. Pesticides can help
control pests but they need to be used corefully. Children may
be more sensitive to pesticides than adults. Young children,
especially, may have different exposures than adults-they can
encounter pesticides by crawling, exploring, or hand-to-mouth
activities.
Since children spend so much of their day at school, you have
an opportunity to create a safer learning environment for them.
You can reduce their exposure to potentially harmful pests and
to the pesticides used to control these pests.
pests in your school buildings and grounds. IPM programs
take advantage of all pest management strategic*,
including careful use of pesticides when necessary.
mmon R
Settings
.ere a
itrol Pests?
ray to
School administrators and others who have decision-making
responsibilities for pest management in and around school
buildings and grounds should know that safer options exist.
Integrated Rsst Management (IPM) is a safer, and usually less
costly, option for effective pest management in the school
community. A school IPM program employs commonsense
strategies to reduce sources of food, water, and shelter for
Your school may be providing food, water, and shelter I
pests. Some pests common in schools con harm both
children and adults.
Flies and cockroaches may spread disease.
* Cockroaches can cause allergies and asthma attacks.
Ydlow jacket stings are painful and can be life-threaten-
ing to those with allergies.
Spiders may inflict painful bites and some may pose a
health risk.
Mice may contaminate food, trigger asthma attacks,
and cause structural damage.
Termites cause structural damage.
Other pests may not pose an immediate health threat or
damage to the structure but are often controlled for
aesthetic or other reasons. For example:
Weeds may invade playing fields or playgrounds.
Head lice outbreaks may occur among students.
Ants may swarm in hallways or classrooms.
Fruit flies may gather in kitchens.
What Some Professionals Are Saying About IPM:
r rOT6SSIOnal educators know that communication and education are required to influence
behavior. Successfully implementing IPM means influencing individuals whose behaviors allow pest
problems to continue or occur in school settings. Drawing back on my first years in graduate school, I
learned that pest management is people management."
Dr. Marc Lame, a nationally recognized IPM expert, entomologist, and professor
at Indiana University
In managing pests, the emphasis should be placed on minimizing the use of
broad-spectrum chemicals, and on maximizing the use of sanitation, biological
controls, and selective methods of application."
American Public Health Association
A healthy school environment is essential. All students and staff have a right to
learn and work in a healthy school environment, safe from air pollution,
radiation, sound and mechanical stress, and chemical exposures."
National Association of School Nurses
''National PTAsupports efforts [IPM implementationjat the federal, state,
and local levels to eliminate the environmental health hazards caused by
pesticide use in and around schools."
National Parent Teacher Association
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IPM in Schools
Resources:
"Childhood exposure 10
pesticides is an
environmental health risk
lacing children today. We
are focused on helping
communities address this
problem."
Christie Whitman
Administrator
Protecting Children
i" School from Pests
and Pesticides
Here are some resources
to learn more about IPM
or get to tools to start an
tPM program at your
school:
EPA's IPM in Schools Web
site
http ://www. epa.gov/
pesticides/ipm
Pest Control in the School
Environment: Adopting
IPM (booklet)
http: //www. epa.gov/
pesticides/i pm/brochu re
University of Florida's IPM
in Schools Program
http://
schoolipm.ifas.ufl.edu
ABCs of IPM (video
training course)
http://TCEbookstore.org
(click on insects)
Purdue University's IPM
Technical Resource
Center
http://
www.entm.purdue.edu/
entomology/outreach/
schoolipm
1-877-668-8IPM (1-
877-668-8476)
Texas A&M University's
IPM Technical Resource
Center
1-877-747-6872
http://schoolipm.tamu.edu
EPA's School IPM
Directory
http: //www, epa.gov/
reg 5f o i a/pest/i p rn/
lndex.html
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