School IPM is everybody’s business because nothing is more important than the health of our children. Proper management of pests is essential in and around facilities housing students, faculty, and staff.
The best school IPM programs are the ones where school employees, parents, and the community share in the design and implementation of the program as a team, with each member of the team having specific roles.
Our website is targeted to provide information to these team members, who include school administrators, facilities managers, teachers, students and parents.
In Pennsylvania, state laws and regulations require IPM plans be created for the management of pests on school grounds. Links to the two bills are listed below:
- Pennsylvania Senate Bill 705 (Act 35) - Signed by the governor April 18, 2002. Requires all PA schools to adopt IPM programs by January 1, 2003.
- Pennsylvania House Bill 1289 (Act 36) - Signed by the governor April 18, 2002. It amends the Public School Code of 1949, requiring notification of pesticide treatments in PA schools (section 772.1).
In addition, state laws and regulations require IPM be a part of Pennsylvania's academic standards. IPM is found under Subject Area 4: Environment and Ecology, and Subject Area 4.5: Humans and the Environment.
Pesticides are regulated by the PA Department of Agriculture as dictated by the Pesticide Control Act of 1973. The regulations created by the Department of Ag as a result of the act are listed under Pesticide Regulations Title 7 Chapter 128 For any specific clarifications of the regulations, contact Dave Scott at PDA at 717-772-5214.
IPM and Indoor Air Quality
Children in Pennsylvania spend many hours in and around school facilities. Indoor air quality (IAQ) in particular, is of critical concern to school administrators, facility managers, faculty, staff and students alike. An excellent IAQ "Tools for Schools" self-assessment tool for building managers is available free from EPA (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq). One aspect of assuring good IAQ and reduced allergens is the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM). Ideally, IPM reduces pests effectively while minimizing potential problems due to pesticide use in and around school facilities."
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IPM checklist for administrators.
IPM is a scientific, ecological approach to managing all types of "pests", from deer in your fruit trees, to "bugs" in your basement, to diseases in crop plants and weeds in your lawn. Even head lice in schools can be handled using an IPM approach!
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a way to deal with pests
There is nothing more important than a safe school environment for our children. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) reduces pests and minimizes pesticide use, helping to provide a healthy and safe environment. Every Pennsylvania school is required to use IPM to manage pests on school grounds. In addition, IPM is in the state academic standards requiring that all K-12 students learn about the benefits of IPM.
Check our IPM for Pennsylvania Schools and childcares manual, you will find helpful information about pest management information on common building pests, including ants, bed bugs, rodents, flies, spiders, ticks, and roaches, as well as information about managing weeds and lawn/turf pests on fields and other school grounds.