Texas Structural Pest Control BoardPest Control in the School EnvironmentAdopting Integrated Pest Management
Can Childrens Exposure to Pesticides be Reduced in the School Environment? IPM and Your School The publics concern about health and environmental risks associated withchemicals are increasing, particularly when children are involved. As the publicbecomes more aware of the health and environmental risks pesticides may pose,its interest in seeking the may pose, its interest in seeking the use of equallyeffective alternative pest control methods increased. School administrators andother persons who have pest control decision-making responsibilities for schoolbuildings and ground should become aware of he pest control options available tothem. It is in everyones best interest to reduce exposure to potentiallyharmful chemicals The Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with the Texas StructuralPest Control Board has prepared this booklet to acquaint readers with IntegratedPest Management (IPM), a pest control method that may be an alternative toschedule spaying of pesticides. Schools across the nation that have adopted suchprograms report successful, cost-effective conversion to IPM. IPM can reduce theuse of chemicals and provide economical and effective pest suppression. This information packet has been developed to encourage and assistschool officials in examining and improving their pest management practices. Itidentifies ways to reduce dependence on pesticides in school buildings andlandscapes and discusses alternative methods for managing pests commonly foundin school. School officials are not, however, required by law to adopt thepractices recommended in this booklet. All information provided in this packet may be reproduced and can be sharedwith anyone interested in an IPM program.
What is Integrated Pest Management? IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest managementthat relies on a combination of common sense practices. IPM programs usecurrent, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and theirinteractions with the environment. This information, in combination withavailable pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the mosteconomical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, andthe environment. IPM programs take advantage of all pest management optionspossibly including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides. Understanding pest needs is essential to implementing IPM effectively. Pest seeks habitats that provide basic needs such as air, moisture, food, andshelter. Pest populations can be prevented or controlled by creatinginhospitable environments, by removing some of the basic elements pests need tosurvive, or by simply blocking their access into building. Pests may also bemanaged by other methods such as traps, vacuums, or pesticides. An understandingof what pests need in order to survive is essential before actions is taken.
Texas Integrated Pest Management for Schools The Texas State Legislature passed legislation, which requires all schooldistricts to have an integrated pest management program adopted by September 1,1995. Integrated pest management, or IPM, is simply a strategy that relies on acombination of the best available control tactics, with an emphasis on the leasthazardous methods, to effectively and economically reduce pest. IPM reliesheavily on information about the pest; its changes in population to deviseaccurate and targeted control strategies that require minimal, or no, use ofpesticides. These guidelines have been prepared by the IPM in Schools Advisory Committeeat the request of the Texas Structural Pest Control Board and utilizes the EPAdocument, "Pest Control in the School Environment: Adopting Integrated PestManagement". The intent in producing this document is:
In accordance with the Structural Pest Control Act as amended in 1991, eachschool district shall adopt an integrated pest management program. The standardsthat follow will serve as minimum requirements for schools integrated pestmanagement program. Pest Management Policy Each school district shall establish a pest management policy that will serveas a guidance document for all personnel involved in conducting pest managementactivities on school district property. Each school district shall designate anIPM Coordinator(s)n on or before September 1, 1995. The person(s) so designatedshall a Structural Pest Control Board approved IPM Coordinator training coursewithin twelve (12) months of designation as IPM Coordinator(s). Integrated Pest Management Coordinator A person(s) responsible for day-to-day pest management operations should beappointed by each district. This person will have oversight and be responsiblefor coordinating pest management personnel and activities that include:
The integrated pest management coordinator will be responsible for approvalof an emergency pesticide application along with posting requirements. If theschool district chooses to use in-house personnel for some or all pesticideapplications, the integrated pest management coordinator will be responsible forensuring that all school district personnel approved for applying pesticides areadequately trained and equipped with proper personal protective equipment. Inaddition, the pest management coordinator will be responsible for ensuring thatall pesticides in schools areas with appropriate spill cleanup materials. Chief administrators of schools and day-care centers shall notify the parentsof guardians of children attending the facility in writing that pesticides areperiodically applied indoors and that information on the time and types ofapplications is available upon request. Such notification must be made at thetime of the childs registration. Posting and emergency treatment notices should include time of expectedapplication and reentry time. Pesticide applications shall not be made to anarea within or outside a school building if students are expected to be presentin the area treated within the next 12-hour period immediately followingtreatment. Emergency treatments will be permitted in the localized area ofinfestation when there is an imminent threat to health or property or aninfestation is imminent. The 48-hour pre-notification requirements may be met at the time of treatmentif an emergency exists and the responsible school personnel and certifiedapplicator sign a statement attesting to the fact that an emergency exists thatrequires immediate treatment. Certified commercial/ noncommercial applicationmay attest to an emergency by signing a statement attesting to the emergency andmust keep the statement on file with pest control use records their place ofemployment or business location. At the time of an emergency pesticide application, signs will be postedstating that a pesticide application has been made and listing the time and datewhen the area may be re-entered. If pesticide applications are made by acontracted certified commercial applicator it shall be the contractorsresponsibility to provide in door posting information to the IPM Coordinator inorder that the posting requirements are met. Pesticide Classification All pesticides, including herbicides, to be used on school district propertymust be on school district property must be classified as green, yellow or redlist use. "Green list" products will include those pesticides that areapproved for use at any time at the discretion of any licensed pesticideapplicator. They are all EPA category III and IV Pesticides, which are also, oneof the following: inorganic pesticides (i.e., boric acid, silica gels,diatomaceous earth, disodium octabrate tetrahydrate). Insect growth regulators,Insect and rodent baits in tamper-resistant containers, or for crack and creviceplacement only, Microbe or fungal based insecticides, Botanical insecticides(other than synthetic pyrethroids) containing not more than 5% synergists, andBiological (living) control agents. The use of "Yellow List" products requires written approval by acertified applicator (commercial or noncommercial) with a copy of writtenapproval provided to the IPM Coordinator. Their use approval will be limited tono longer than three (3) months or three (3) applications, whichever occursfirst. Yellow list products are all EPA Category III and IV pesticides thatdisplay a CAUTION signal word on the label and are not on the "GreenList". "Red List" pesticides are pesticides classified by the EPAas Category I and II (as identified by a WARNING or DANGER signal word). Use ofRed List products requires written approval from both a certified applicator andIPM Coordinator and a copy of the approval sent to the Structural Pest ControlBoard no later than 14 days after the application. Red List approvals will belimited to three months or three applications, whichever occurs first. Anytimeproducts from the "Yellow List" or "Red List" are used; acopy of the written approval must be kept in the records of the IPM Coordinatorfor at least two (2) years. Compliance with the Structural Pest Control Act The Texas Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) is charged with theresponsibility of ensuring that all school districts in the state comply withthe requirements of the Structural Pest Control Act. Representatives of the SPCBmay, at the discretion of the Board or in response to a complaint, investigateto determine whether a school district is in compliance with the Act. The schooldistricts pest management policy as well as any school district efforts tocomply with the minimum standards, as outlined, shall be documented and kept onfile by each district. To determine compliance with the Act, school districtsare required to make these files available to SPCB investigators upon request.For additional information write to: Texas Structural Pest Control Board
An efficient IPM program can be integrated with the schools existing pestmanagement plan and other school management activities. School managementactivities such as preventive maintenance, janitorial practices, landscaping,occupant education, and staff training are all part of an IPM program. Thefollowing steps are required to develop an IPM decision network:
Step 1 - Develop an official IPM policy statement This useful first step in making the transition form a conventional pesticideprogram to an IPM program goes beyond simply stating a commitment to support andimplement an IPM approach. It acts as a guide for the pest manager to use indeveloping a specific IPM program. A policy statement for school pest management should state the intent of theschool administration to implement an IPM program. It should briefly provideguidance on what specifically is expected the incorporation of existing servicesinto an IPM program and the education and involvement of students, staff, andpest manager. The model policy statement in Figure 1 is provided as an exampleand may be modified in any way by schools to reflect site-specific needs orintent.
Step 2: Designating Pest Management Roles Designate pest management roles for occupants, pest management personnel, andkey decision-makers; assure good communications among them; and educate or trainthe people involved in their respective roles. The concepts and methods of IPM were developed originally in agriculturalsettings. Later, it was found that IPM had great value in school pest managementsystem are the key to success or failure of the program. When the respectiveroles of all the people in the pest management system are identified and agreedupon, and when these people communicate well with each other, effective and lessexpensive protection of the site and the people can be achieved with fewerrisks. In successful urban pest management systems, people function effectively asoccupants, pest managers, or decision-makers, gaining the information they need,giving the information that others need, cooperating with each other, andmeeting their special responsibilities to achieve the unique pest managementobjectives of the site. These functions and responsibilities are identifiedbelow and should be outlined in the schools pest management plan. Students and Staff - The Occupants Occupants are concerned about the safety of the pest control methods used,about their effectiveness, and about possible adverse effects. School staff,students, and their parents should receive information addressing these concernsand their roles in the schools pest management system. The most important responsibility of the students and staff is sanitation.Much of the prevention and reduction of pest infestation at the school sitedepends on whether or not students and staff clean up food leftovers, food inlockers, gum under desks, paper clutter, etc., or perform proper maintenance. Inaddition, because people at the school site may observe the presence of pests,they should report any evidence pest activity. Other actions may be required of students and staff undertaken by them,depending on their interest in the site and the pest management system .The moreoccupants "busy in" to this, the better the pest management systemwill work. Parents Special Roles Parents have the most responsibility for their children and they are theirchildrens natural advocates. Thus, parents can bring the need to reducedependence on pesticides to the attention of school personnel, and they canassist greatly in the transition to an IPM program. Parents first school pest management responsibility is to learn about IPMpractices and follow them at home so that pests are not carried to school innote books, lunch boxes, clothing, or the childrens hair. Second, parentsshould be aware of the current pest management practices in their childrensschools. The schools should welcome questions by the parents and encourage theparents to seek information. Visible interest and concern on the parents partis a valuable resource and stimulus for the implementation of a school IPMprogram. Parents may express their views to the school superintendent SchoolBoard, school district management, and the schools Parent Teacher Association(PTA). Parents may participate on IPM advisory or oversight committees withschool and government management. The IPM Coordinator In a pest management system, the IPM Coordinator is the person who observesand evaluates the site, or directs others to do so, and decides what needs to bedone to achieve the site pest management objectives. The IPM Coordinator couldbe the school principal, the custodian or a designated faculty member. The IPMCoordinator designs a pest management system that takes into account potentialliability, applicator and occupant safety, costs, effectiveness, time required,and customer or occupant satisfaction. The IPM Coordinator draws on knowledge gained through prior training and usedinformation on the site, the pest and its biology, occupant health and concerns,appropriate control measures, and expected results. The IPM Coordinator alsoperforms the necessary pest management actions or directs others in the actionsto be taken. Because the IPM Coordinator usually has the responsibility of keeping boththe occupants and school administrators informed, he or she has the greatestneed for available information about the site, pest, and appropriate pestmanagement methods The system for the site must achieve the goals within the limitations posedby safety, time, money, and available materials. IPM Coordinators monitor thesite and the pest population to determine if actions taken accurate records ofthe amount and location of any pesticides used and date of each application. Decision-Makers Generally, persons who authorize the pest management program and control themoney for pest management are people involved in the direct management oradministration of the school or schools, such as a superintendent or assistantsuperintendent of schools. However, a person indirectly involved with the sitemay become a pest management decision-maker, e.g., the occasions, the purchasingagent or contracting officer for a school system or district may be a majordecision-maker for a school site. For decision-makers, concerns about costs, liability, time expended, methodeffectiveness, safety, and customer or occupant satisfactions are foremost.These decision-makers also determine if the IPM Coordinator is performing at anacceptable level and if the pest management objectives are being met. Amongother methods, this assessment can be done by monitoring complaints from theoccupants, by observing the site environment, or by a combination of both.Decision-maker must also provide the necessary level of financial commitment forany IPM program to succeed. A great deal of understanding, cooperation, andcommitment form everyone in the system-students and parents, schools, staff,managers, administrators, and the public-is needed in order for an IPM programto succeed. A great deal of understanding, cooperation, and commitment from everyone inthe system-students and parents, school staff, managers, administrators, and thepublic- is needed in order for an IPM program to succeed. Elements of Bid Specifications It is the intent of a contract for pest control services to provide acomprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for the school property.Traditional structural pest control, as contracted in the past, is largelyreactive to pest infestations and bases much of its response on the routine,scheduled spraying of pesticides. Some spraying may be unnecessary, and haslimited effectiveness in providing adequate long-term control. Conversely, IPM is a process, or planned program, for long term pestsuppression. In the process, surveillance and the interoperation of data provideestimates of the pest population in a given area. This monitoring allowsaccurate decisions to be made concerning when intervention measures are needed,the type of control measure selected, and the method of application. Pestmanagement practices in an IPM program extend beyond the application ofpesticides and include structural, procedural and landscape modifications whichestablish physical barriers to pests, the reduction of the food, water, andharborage available to them, and the establishment of landscape plants anddesigns which requires less maintenance. Integrated Pest Management can be successfully implemented by properlylicensed and qualified school employees, however, some school districts may wishto establish a contract with a commercial pest control may be mixed and matchedto the needs and capabilities of the school system. The contractor shall make detailed, site specific recommendations forstructural and procedural modifications to achieve pest suppression. Thecontractor shall provide evidence in the proposal of sufficient expertise inpest control, and IPM principles and practices to effectively carry out theseresponsibilities. The IPM Coordinator(s) are responsible for oversight and monintoring ofcontract performance. Also, the IPM Coordinator(s) are responsible for insuringthe recommendations for structural, procedural and landscape modifications arefollowed. Essential Elements of IPM Specification Bid specifications for IPM contractors shall specify the following majorpoints:
Educating IPM Participants A school IPM program should include a commitment to the education ofstudents, staff and parents. This education should include not only theteachers, but also school nurses, cafeteria employees and housekeeping andadministrative personal as well. All occupants must understand the basicconcepts of IPM and who to contact with questions or problems. Specificinstructions should be provided on what to do and what not to do. For example,on their own on school sites. All pesticide products, including those purchasedat a retail store, should be applied only by designated qualified personnel.Educating and training staff ton function within an IPM context is important tothe success of an in-house IPM program. (Note: More specific training isrequired for the IPM Coordinator. Universities and State Cooperative ExtensionServices have the expertise to meet most IPM training needs. Needed trainingmaterials that are not already available can be developed jointly between theschool district and the Extension Service.) Education is a vital component of pest management. Many schools across theUnited States have incorporated environmental issues into their cirricula. Science classes might include discussions and activities to learn more aboutthe fascinating and diverse roles of insects, plants, rodents, and birds in ourworld. Most are harmless, and many e.g., some spiders, predatory mites,centipedes, and certain beetles are actually beneficial in controlling pestpopulations. If good sanitation is practiced, the population of these beneficialinsects can be kept at tolerable levels. All staff at the school should learn about the basic concepts of IPM and howthese principles are being applied in their particular school. Staff andstudents need to understand how their own behavior helps alleviate orcontributes to pest problems. School staff should encourage the Parent TeacherAssociations, student organizations, and other school-affiliated groups toparticipate in the IPM program.
Step 3 - Setting Pest Management Objectives for School Buildings and OtherSites Set pest management objectives for the site (s). For every site, pestmanagement objectives will differ. The type of pest management sought should beoutlined. Pest management objectives differ from site to site, and these differencesmust be considered before setting action thresh old levels. (See Step 5.) Forexample, for an athletic field, the objective would be to maintain healthy turfas well as a specific type of playing surface. With ornamental plants, theobjective would more likely be to maintain aesthetic value. With buildings orother structures, the main objective might be controlling damage caused bytermites. Schools should outline specific objectives in a pest management plan. Examples of pest management objectives include:
Step 4 - Inspecting, Identifying, and Monitoring Inspect site (s), identify, and monitor pest populations for potentialproblems. An IPM program consists of a cycle of inspecting, identifying, monitoring,evaluating, and choosing the appropriate method of control. Routine inspectionand accurate identification of pests are vital steps in IPM to ensure thatcontrol methods will be effective. Once the has been identified and the sourceof its activity pinpointed, habitat modifications-primarily, exclusion, repair,and sanitation efforts may greatly reduce the prevalence of the pest Monitoringincludes inspecting areas for pest evidence, entry points, food, water, andharborage sites, and estimating pest population levels. The information gainedthrough monitoring is evaluated to determine whether the action threshold hasbeen exceeded and what can be done in the way of prevention.
Step 5 - Set action thresholds These are the levels of pest populations or sit environmental conditions thatrequire remedial action. An action threshold is the level at which action is initiated. It isdetermined by deciding, based on the sensitivities of the school occupants, howmany pests can be tolerated. The action threshold is set by the pest manager andthe occupants and should reflect the pest management objective for the site. Thepresence of some pests does not, in itself, necessarily require action. When pest populations exceed pre-set action thresholds, action must be taken.Precise recommendations or actions to achieve specific results are an essentialpart of an IPM program. Specific recommendations, including an explanation ofthe benefits, should be based on the evaluation of all available data obtainedthrough inspecting, identifying, and monitoring.
Step 6 Applying IPM Strategies to Control Pests These include redesigning and repairing structures, improving sanitation,employing pest-resistant plant varieties, establishing watering and mowingpractices, and applying pesticides judiciously. Pest prevention measures can beincorporated into existing structures. Such preventive measures reduce the needfor pesticide applications and include sanitation and structural repair,employing physical and mechanical controls such as screens, traps, weeders, airdoors, etc. Specific IPM strategies for specific school site are provided below.(Note: Every school will experience slightly different combinations of pests.) IPM Strategies for Indoor Sites Typical Pests: Mice, rats, cockroaches, ants, flies, wasps, hornets,yellow jackets, spiders, microorganisms, termites, carpenter ants, and otherwood destroying insects. Although beneficial as predators, wasps, hornets,yellow jackets, and spiders can be troublesome. Entryways: (doorways, overhead doors, windows, holes in exterior walls,openings around pipes, electrical fixtures, or ducts):
Classrooms and Offices: (classrooms laboratories, administrative offices,auditoriums, gymnasiums, and hallways):
Food Preparation and Serving Areas (dining room, main kitchen, teacherslounge, home economics kitchen, snack area, vending machines, and food storagerooms):
Rooms and Areas With Extensive Plumbing (bathrooms, rooms with sinks, locker rooms, dishwasher rooms, home economics classrooms, science laboratories, swimming pools, and greenhouses):
Maintenance Areas: (boiler room, mechanical room, janitorial-housekeepingareas, and pipechases):
IPM Strategies for Outdoor Sites Typical Pests: Mice and rats. Turf pests-broad-leaf and grassy weeds,insects such as beetle grubs or sod webworms, disease such as brown patch, andvertebrates such as moles. Ornamental plants pests-plant diseases, and insectssuch as trips, aphids, Japanese beetles, and bagworms. Playgrounds, Parking Lots, Athletic Fields, Loading Docks, and RefuseDumpsters:
Turf: (lawns, athletic fields, and playgrounds):
Ornamental Shrubs and Trees:
Applying Pesticides Judiciously Many different kinds of pesticides are currently available for use againsturban and structural pests. An appropriate application uses the least toxic andmost effective and efficient technique and material. Due to their potentiallytoxic nature, these materials should be applied by qualified applicators in amanner to ensure maximum efficiency, with minimal hazard. Pesticides should beapplied only when occupants are not present in areas where they may be exposedto materials applied and only when students are not expected to be present forat least 12 hours. Although EPA registers pesticides for use within the United States, the factthat a particular product is registered does not mean that is it"safe" under all conditions. All pesticides used in the U.S. must be EPA registered, and the registrationnumber must be listed on the label. Read and follow the pesticide labeldirections, know how to apply and handle these chemicals, and try to minimizethe exposure to children, adults, and other non-target species. The following general recommendations should minimize exposure to people andother non-target species when the application of pesticides is being considered:
Storing Pesticides: Store pesticides off site or in buildings that arelocked and inaccessible to all undesignated personnel. Be sure adequateventilation is provided for the pesticide storage area. Store herbicidesseparately to avoid potential damage to plants from the absorption of vaporsonto other pesticides stored nearby. Avoid storing pesticides in places whereflooding is possible or in open places where they might spill or leak into theenvironment. Store flammable liquids away form an ignition source. Check forstate recommendations and requirements for pesticide storage. If pesticides are stored in occupied buildings, take special care to ensurethat the air in the occupied spaces does not get contaminated. Place a noticeoutside the designated storage area. Store all pesticides in their originalcontainers, and secure lids tightly. Make sure that childproof caps are properlyfastened. However, even closed pesticide containers may release toxic chemicalinto the air through volatilization. Therefore, store pesticides only in spacesthat are physically separated and closed off from occupied spaces and wherethere is adequate exhaust ventilation, (i.e. the air is vented directly to theoutside). In addition, precautions are needed to ensure that the air in thestorage space has no chance of mixing with the air in the central ventilationsystem. The IPM Coordinator is responsible for periodically checking stored pesticidecontainers for leaks or other hazards. To preclude pesticide storage problems,buy only enough of the pesticide product to last through the use seasons. Mixonly the amount of pesticide needed for the immediate application. Posting and Notification: State law requires schools to notify studentsand staff of impending pesticide applications. When good IPM practices arefollowed, concerns raised by notification and posting activities may beminimized. If notifications and posting is a new practice at the school, the newpolicy should be explained so that it will not be misinterpreted to imply thatmore pesticides are being applied than previously. Notification can be accomplished by posting notices around the school andsending notices home to those parents who wish to be informed in advance ofpesticide applications. Schools must post notices in areas to be treated. Theschool IPM Coordinator should be prepared and be available to provide morespecific information to concerned parents and others. A voluntary registry of individuals who could be adversely affected byexposure to pesticides can be kept at the school health or administrativeoffices. Information on how to contact the local poison control center andemergency personnel should be kept readily accessible. The school may also wishto consider informing the adjacent community in advance of planned outdoorpesticide applications. Step 7- Evaluating Results and Record Keeping Evaluate results to determine if pest management objectives are reached, andkeep written records of all aspects of the program. Successful practice of IPM relies on accurate record keeping. Record keepingallows the school to evaluate the results of practicing IPM to determine if pestmanagement objectives have been met. Keeping accurate records also leads tobetter decision-making and more efficient procurement. Accurate records ofinspecting, identifying, and monitoring activities show changes in the siteenvironment (reduced availability of food, water, or shelter), pest populationchanges (increased or reduced numbers, older or younger pests), or changes inthe amount of damage or loss. A complete and accurate pest management log should be maintained for eachproperty and kept in the office of the pest manger of property manger. Pesticideuse records should also be maintained to meet any requirements of the stateregulatory agency, School Board, and applicable local regulations. The logbookshould contain the following items:
Evaluating the Costs Preliminary indications from IPM programs in school systems suggest thatlong-term costs of IPM may be less than a conventional pest control program thatrelies solely on the used of pesticides. However, the long-term labor costs forIPM may be higher than those for conventional pesticide treatments may. Thelabor costs my be offset by reduced expenditures for materials. Whether an IPM program raises or lowers costs depend in part on the nature ofthe current housekeeping, maintenance, and pest management operations. The costsof implementing an IPM program can also depend on whether the pest managementservices are contracted, performed in-house, or both. To fit the IPM programinto the existing budgetary framework, school additional and redistributedexpenditures are involved. As with any program, insufficient resources willjeopardize the success of IPM. Potential Added Costs Initiating an IPM program may require repair and maintenance activities toprevent pest entry and to eliminate sources of shelter, food, and moisture.Example of these one-time expenses that may result in future budgetary savingsinclude:
In the long term, these repair and maintenance activities will reduce overallcosts of the pest control operation, as well as other maintenance and operatingbudgets, Whether these costs are actually budgeted as a pest control expense orunder some other budgetary category depends on the budgetary format of theschool system. School systems with an active maintenance and repair programwithin the current budget. Procurement Successful practice of IPM relies on accurate record keeping, which leads tomore efficient procurement. As the IPM program progresses, predictable eventsand pest control needs will be identified. Close consultation with the IPMCoordinator is essential for good decisions on purchases within the budget. Some non-pesticide products, such as traps, can be stocked to reducepurchases in future years, but few savings can be realized by purchasingpesticides in bulk. It is probably best to keep no more than a 6-day pesticideinventory to assure product freshness and to avoid limiting cash flow. IPMCoordinators should be able to anticipate needs to fit a 60-day buying schedule. "In-house" or Contracted Services IPM programs can be successfully implemented by "in-house" schoolemployees or by contracting with a pest control company. A combination of inhouse and contracted functions may be mixed and match to the needs andcapabilities of the school system. Both approaches have advantages anddisadvantages. Individual school systems must decide what is best for them giventheir unique circumstances. Whether you choose in-house or contracted services,pest management personnel should be trained to:
"In-house" Services One of the most important tasks for an in-house program is training staff tofunction within an IPM context. Universities and State Agricultural ExtensionServices haven the expertise to meet most IPM training needs. Needed trainingmaterials that are not already available can be developed jointly between theSchool District and the Extension Service. Contracted Services Pest control firms should work with the IPM Coordinator and the responsibleschool official to solve pest control problems. Use of an outside pest control firm may increase costs but eliminate the needto hire and train personnel and store pesticides. The contract should specifythe use of IPM principles and practices in meeting pest management objectives. When choosing a pest control firm, contract your local Better BusinessBureaus or the Structural Pest Control Board for information about whether theyhave received complaints about a pest control company. The Structural PestControl Board can also provide information on pesticide applicatorcertification. The pest management services contract should include IPM specifications.Contracts should be written to provide expected results. Pest managementobjectives specific to the site should be jointly developed, agreed upon, andwritten into the contract. Any special health concerns (such as those forchildren, or for individuals with allergies, etc.) should be noted and reflectedin the pesticides that can be utilized, or excluded from used. For More Information For information about pesticides, contact: National Pesticides Telecommunications Network 1-800-858-PEST (7378) 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Standard Time. Operators provide the medical, veterinary, and professional communities andthe public with:
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