Get tough on pests in schools.

              Get Tough on Pests
in
SCHOOLS
Adopting IPM in Schools:
The goal of IPM is to
provide children and other
school users with a
healthy place to learn and
work. IPM prevents and
solves pest problems
using safe and effective
strategies.
For more information
Dr. Godfrey Nalyanya, School IPM Project,
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695- 7620
Telephone: ( 919) 515- 5650
Fax: ( 919) 515- 5315
Email: godfrey_ nalyanya@ ncsu. edu
Torri Shelley
S c h o o l I P M C a m p a i g n
Benefits of IPM INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
1. Safer and healthier school environment.
2. Reductions in pesticide use.
3. Reduced litigation from pest- control
activities.
4. Longer- lasting pest control.
5. Cost- effective pest management.
It’s a fact: As long as pests
can get into the school,
no amount of pesticide will
solve the problem.
2000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of
$ 1156.00 or $ 0.58 per copy.
Funded in part by support from the North Carolina
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Pesticide Environmental Trust Fund.
Mention of commercial products or services does not imply
endorsement of or discrimination against similar products or
services not mentioned.
Published by
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
10/ 04— 2M— JL AG- 631- 02
E05- 44534
IPM Resources
Web sites
http:// schoolipm. ncsu. edu
http:// www. ifas. ufl. edu/~ schoolipm/
Publications
Integrated Pest Management for North
Carolina Schools. N. C. Cooperative Exten-sion
Service, Publication AG- 631- 01. 48pp.
Learn to recognize common pests
Common pests in
North Carolina schools.
ANT, top
MOUSE, center.
( Photo G. Nalyanya, NCSU)
GERMAN COCK-ROACH,
below:
adults, juvenile
stages, egg case.
( Photo courtesy of University of Nebraska Department of Entomology.)
( Photo courtesy of Orkin.)
Distributed in furtherance of the acts of Congress of May 8 and June
30, 1914. North Carolina State University and North Carolina A& T
State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal
opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion,
sex, age, or disability. In addition, the two Universities welcome all
persons without regard to sexual orientation. North Carolina State
University, North Carolina A& T State University, U. S. Department of
Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Integrated Pest Management
In a school that uses Integrated Pest
Management ( IPM), getting tough on pests is
a job for everyone— not just the pest control
experts or “ exterminators.”
Pests are a nuisance. They damage property,
destroy and contaminate food, transmit diseases,
and cause allergic reactions.
Conventional pest control by widespread
application of pesticides can expose children to
pesticide residues. Compared to adults, children
are more at risk to illnesses associated with
pesticides ( such as asthma and cancer) because
of their small body size, rapid growth, and
habits. Younger children, especially, are at a
higher risk of inadvertent exposure to pesticides
because they spend considerable time on class-room
floors and playgrounds and they are more
likely to put unwashed objects and hands into
their mouths.
Integrated Pest Management ( IPM) effec-tively
controls pests and minimizes the risk that
children and other school occupants will be
exposed to pesticides.
What is IPM?
IPM prevents and solves pest problems
using a comprehensive approach that combines
• Effective,
• Economical,
• Environmentally sound,
• Socially acceptable methods.
IPM combines facility inspections; student
and staff education; proper food handling and
storage; good sanitation practices; prompt
trash/ garbage disposal; building repairs and
maintenance; landscape modification; and
pesticide applications ( if necessary) into a
comprehensive plan.
The goal of IPM
The goal of IPM is to provide children and
other school users with a healthy place to learn
and work by solving pest problems using safe
and effective strategies.
How does IPM work?
Pests need food, water, hiding places, entry
points, and other conditions ( e. g., warm tempera-tures).
In an IPM approach, school buildings and
grounds are inspected very closely to see where
pests are finding these life- sustaining resources.
Steps are then taken to keep pests out and to
make conditions unfavorable to pests by keeping
everything clean, dry, and tightly sealed.
IPM programs never use pesticides on a
calendar schedule. Pesticides are applied ONLY
IF AND WHEN NEEDED. If a pesticide is
needed, the safest, least- toxic materials and
application methods are chosen. The top concern
is to control pests effectively while ensuring the
safety of children and school employees.
IPM provides a decision- making process for
deter- mining:
• IF pest suppression is needed,
• WHEN it is needed,
• WHERE it is needed,
• WHAT control tactics are
appropriate.
Teachers, staff, and students
should NEVER
take pesticide application
into their own hands.
To get started with IPM
1. Learn about IPM: School administrators
who know more about IPM can successfully
implement IPM programs in their schools. Visit
http:// schoolipm. ncsu. edu.
2. Adopt an IPM policy: An IPM policy
provides guidance to the school community on
how the school district intends to control pests
and gives authority to school administrators to
implement IPM. It also defines everyone’s
responsibilities for the success of the program.
( See IPM Resources.)
3. Use a contract written in IPM language:
If a school district contracts for pest control, the
wording of the contract provides a mechanism
for selecting pest control companies that practice
IPM. Model contracts are available ( see IPM
Resources). If pest control is done “ in- house,”
the staff members responsible for pest control
will need training in the use of IPM techniques.
4. Involve the school community: IPM
requires the participation of administrators,
teachers and staff ( front office, custodial, mainte-nance,
and kitchen), as well as students and their
parents. Everyone can help in pest
prevention by keeping the school
and grounds clean
and by reporting
pest sightings or
conditions conducive
to pests.
Haley Schweizer
Any place that
food is eaten or
stored will
attract pests.
Courtney Webster