Facilities Managers

IPM Checklist for Facilities Managers

• work with your administrators to appoint an IPM coordinator
  
• work with administrators to appoint & convene an IPM advisory committee consisting of the IPM coordinator and teachers, students, parents, health staff, kitchen and maintenance personnel, and IPM contractor (if applicable)
  
• get a copy of IPM for PA Schools: A How-To Manual
  
• set up a proper record keeping system
  
• educate staff on IPM pest control methods
  
• comply with parental notification requirements
  
• look for educational opportunities for school students to participate in your pest control practices (see service learning)
  

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  IPM Use on School Grounds

  IPM for school grounds is a process for achieving long-term, environmentally-sound pest suppression through the use of a wide variety of technological and management practices. Control strategies in an IPM program include structural and procedural modifications that reduce the food, water, harborage, and access used by pests. The emphasis is on least toxic and least environmentally disruptive practices to solve pest problems. Conventional pesticides are used only when needed.

  New PA legislation has been passed in support of IPM use on school grounds. The new legislation has two components. As of January 2003, the state requires all PA schools to 1.) provide notification to parents, students and teachers in advance of pesticide applications (PA Act 36) and 2.) requires schools to adopt an IPM plan for school buildings and grounds (PA Act 35). The bill also places responsibilities on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to assist schools in the development, planning and preparation of the IPM plan. Specifically, the department will maintain a Hypersensitivity Registry to assist in the notification of students and employees who are especially sensitive to pesticides and designate an IPM coordinator within the department to assist schools in adopting and administering IPM plans. See our Frequently Asked Questions page for quick answers and clarification of this new PA legislation.

  How Is IPM Implemented on School Grounds?

  IPM programs in schools rely heavily on prevention, sanitation, maintenance, monitoring and record keeping to reduce the reliance on pesticides. Pesticides are used on an as-needed basis as determined by monitoring. When a pesticide is needed, it is applied on a spot treated basis whenever possible and targeted to the specific pest. In addition, the least toxic, shortest duration effective material is used. Pesticides are not applied when students, teachers or staff are present in the affected area to assure the safety of the school learning environment. See our IPM for Pennsylvania Schools: A How-To Manual for information on managing pests with IPM.