The Entomological Society of America (ESA) supports efforts to implement an IPM approach to control and manage pest problems in schools. To ensure success, state-certified applicators should be employed and other persons involved should be properly trained in scientifically sound IPM.

Background

While there currently is no conclusive data indicating that pesticides have a negative impact on children's health specifically in school environments, a 1993 National Academy of Sciences report observed that both the level of pesticide exposure and susceptibility to harm from pesticides overall may be significantly higher for children than adults. Both pests and pesticides pose potential threats to the health and safety of children and adults in school facilities. Pests can sting and bite, produce allergens that aggravate allergies and asthma, and carry disease.

One approach to pest control that has received broad public and professional support is IPM, which can reduce the risk of pesticide exposure by encouraging the use of non-chemical methods and by using pesticides in a targeted manner. Although pesticides are still used in IPM programs, non-chemical approaches such as good sanitation, pest proofing, trapping, and biological control methods should predominate. In landscaping on school grounds, the use of pest-resistant plants and good plant healthcare practices minimize the need for pesticides. Also, pesticide formulations that pose lower risk such as baits are preferred in IPM programs over sprays and granules.

IPM requires a higher level of skill and knowledge than traditional, insecticide-based pest control. It also requires improved cooperation and understanding among administrators, building maintenance staff, other school employees, parents, and students. There is a universal agreement among experts that IPM is most successful when all stakeholders are informed about its purpose and methods.

Successful pest management for schools involves choosing the best combination of pest control tactics from an array of methods and tools -- including pesticides, biological and mechanical controls, and structural modifications -- in such a manner that the pests are managed economically and with the least risk to human health and the environment.

Proposed Actions

School systems should be encouraged to proactively and independently implement IPM.

If pesticides are routinely used, schools should look for creative ways to eliminate these routine applications in favor of a balanced approach that uses a variety of chemical and non-chemical control methods. Pesticides are but one way to manage pests, and should be used only when pest presence justifies their use."

Trained and certified applicators are the best-qualified people to apply pesticides safely around schools. Steps should be taken to eliminate pesticide applications on school grounds by untrained personnel.

Schools that are planning new facilities should consider implementing pest-resistant building design and plan landscapes that are well adapted to resist pest problems.

Involvement of all interested stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers, school employees, and administrators should be encouraged to increase the chance of success.

Authors

Dr. Don V. Allemann held research positions with Ciba-Geigy Corporation and Novartis Crop Protection, Inc., before retiring in 1997.

Lieutenant Colonel Harold J. Harlan, holding a Ph.D. in entomology, serves as a senior entomologist with the National Pest Management Association.

Dr. Michael E. Merchant is associate professor with the Texas A&M University System and an extension urban entomologist with Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in Dallas.

Selected Resources

School system administrators should contact their state extension service and/or agricultural experiment station for resources and guidance on IPM procedures specific to their geographical area. 

The IPM in Schools web site is hosted by the University of Florida and supported by EPA and the National IPM Network, a cooperating group of universities, government agencies, and other organizations. This site provides a wealth of valuable, useful information for different stakeholders, including parent, school administrator, faculty or staff member, and pest manager.

The 1993 EPA booklet, Pest Control in the School Environment: Adopting Integrated Pest Management (#US-EPA 735-F-93-012), is designed to assist school officials in examining and improving their pest management practices. 

In 1999, the U.S. Government Accounting Office reviewed a number of issues concerning the use of pesticides in schools for the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs. The resulting report was Pesticides: Use, Effects, and Alternatives to Pesticides in Schools (Report #GAO/RCED-00-17).

Merchant, M. and H. Merchant. 1995. The ABCs of IPM: A Modular Video Training Course. VHS 2087, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, College Station, TX.

NAS. 1993. Pesticides in the Diet of Infants and Children. National Research Council, Committee on Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.

(Originally published in 2001)