IPM: Integrated Pest Management
Integrated pest management is not something new to our facility. We have always done it. The time has come to now approach and manage it in a new organized way.
As the IPM site coordinator I now need to inform the faculty, students, and community when I have pesticide application going on at our facility. I will create a blog here on this site and will also have a "Notice of Pesticide Application" sheet in the front entry of our facility up to 48 hours after I have applied pesticide. This way our faculty, students, parents, and community are aware of the pesticide application.
When I get notice of pest sighting from faculty, students, or patrons, I will log where the sighting was located. I will also log the pest type, date, and the action I took. Under the contact tab of this website you can contact or email me directly with a pest sighting. Please submit the above information to help me more effectively take care of the issue.
Faculty and Staff Guide
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
IPM is a program that manages pests with control methods that have the least possible hazard to
people, property and the environment. To eliminate the use of pesticides it is critical that we
understand the pest life cycle to implement a successful IPM program. Habitats that provide
pests with the essential three items (food, water and shelter) are the most likely to become
infested. Pest populations can be controlled in many situations by eliminating one or all habitat
essentials. However, IPM programs take advantage of all pest management options including the
use of pesticides when needed.
In the Classroom
The most efficient way to deal with a pest is to prevent them. Teachers play a vital role in pest
management in their classroom. As a teacher you have the ability to regulate what comes into
your classroom and how it is stored. So why do some have pests?
Food will never be eliminated completely from the classroom. Holiday treats and the possible
classroom meal are going to happen. It is the teacher’s job to help manage the cleanup and
storage of these food items. The use of plastic storage containers with a lid or even a zip-lock
freezer bag can make all the difference to prevent a pest. Garbage and recycling bins should be
emptied regularly and should never overflow. If you notice the need for garbage bins to be
emptied please contact a custodian.
Water/moisture creates an inviting habitat for classroom pests. If you notice leaky pipes or
faucets the custodial staff should be notified. Water or liquid spills of any kind should be cleaned
up immediately. Please make an effort to keep carpeted areas as clean as possible.
Shelter is created by the way classroom materials are stored. Corrugated cardboard is one of the
most used shelters for pests. German cockroaches are easily transported in the air channels, mice
build nests out of it and many other pests use it as harborage. Use plastic bins or crates instead of
cardboard for long term storage. Clutter is what a pest is looking for to make a home. Clutter is
difficult to clean around which means it rarely gets moved. This allows pest to live the good life
undisturbed. Take action on what can be organized and help remove the risk of a pest infestation.
Monitoring pest activity is important for a successful Integrated Pest Management program.
You can help by reporting pests in your classroom and following the food, water and shelter tips
shared above. It takes everyone’s participation to keep pests out of our school. Thanks for all you
do to support a pest free zone.
From Alpine School District IPM handbook
Integrated Pest Management Policy Statement
It is the policy of Alpine School District to manage pests in and around schools in a manner that protects human health, maintains the integrity of school buildings and grounds, and preserves the environment.
Alpine School District is committed to the sustainable management of pests through the use of sound Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that focuses on eliminating pest access to food, water and shelter in and around our schools. This is accomplished through the use of reduced risk pest control methods with a preference for non-chemical control measures. Sanitation, pest exclusion and habitat modification are essential to successful long term pest mitigation. Buildings will be regularly cleaned and repaired in order to prevent pest infestations. All facilities and grounds will be maintained to be free of trash, debris and clutter. Ornamental plants, turf, and desirable grasses will be managed in a manner that limits animal, plant and microbial pest attraction.
Oversight and Management
Alpine School District will actively manage the pesticide safety and IPM program by establishing a committee whose responsibilities include providing guidance, education, and support on program procedures and processes. Members of the committee will be appointed by the district leadership.f The committee will meet semi-annually, or more frequently as required, to address the components of this policy.
IPM Coordinator
An IPM Coordinator will be appointed by the district leadership to provide oversight and implementation of the pesticide safety and IPM program. The IPM coordinator is the key advisor to the district and is responsible for: development and management of appropriate plans, pest control contract oversight, conduct of training on pesticide safety and IPM to district and school staff, records management, and providing guidance and recommendations on current regulations, procedures and products used in managing pest populations. The IPM coordinator will be trained in the principles of Integrated Pest Management and pest control contract oversight, completing a minimum of six (6) hours of training annually on the subject.
IPM Site Coordinator (Head Custodian)
The Site IPM Coordinator manages the day-to-day activities of the IPM program at the building/school level and reports to the IPM Coordinator when necessary. The Site IPM Coordinator will be trained annually on pest identification, pest reporting and management; monitoring techniques using “sticky traps”; IPM inspection procedures; IPM pest mitigation strategies; recordkeeping; pesticide hazards, notification and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) requirements; exclusion methods and materials.
Site IPM Coordinators will be responsible for maintaining/updating the IPM binder in their office that can be made readily available to County Health Inspectors. The binder will contain:
Pesticide Safety and IPM Plan
The IPM coordinator will develop an IPM plan and submit the final draft to the district leadership for submission to the board. The plan will address and detail the components of the district policy, list approved low hazard/toxicity products and methods by pest, and discuss the decision-making process for any pest mitigation effort, to include methods for monitoring, reporting pest sightings, action levels for the use of pesticides and a list of all environmentally sensitive areas that may be impacted by the district’s pest management activities. Pests will be listed in order of medical or health risk importance to assist in prioritizing pest mitigation efforts based on risk to students, staff and the community. The IPM coordinator, in coordination with the designated district school nurse, will develop and include appropriate action steps in the program plan for each pest of public health importance deemed a probable risk by the committee (head lice, bed bugs, fire ants, etc.).
Pesticide Use
When reasonable non-chemical approaches do not provide adequate control, products that pose the least risk to people and the environment will be selected, and then only used when and where pests are present, or expected to be present, as determined by monitoring and action thresholds and approved by the IPM coordinator. Pesticide applications will not be made on a routine or regularly scheduled basis. The use of pesticides with the signal words ‘Warning’ and ‘Danger’ should be avoided. In documented emergency situations where the presence of a pest immediately threatens the health or safety of students, staff, faculty members or members of the public using the campus, the IPM coordinator may consider the use of pesticide products that do not fit the above criteria.
Pesticide Selection
When contemplating the use of a pesticide in the Alpine School District, the following criteria will be used for selecting pesticide: safety, species specificity, effectiveness, endurance, speed, repellency and cost.
Safety
Safety for humans (especially children), pets, livestock, and wildlife, as well as safety for the overall environment. The health of school residents and long-term suppression of pests must be the primary objectives that guide pest control in school settings. To accomplish these objectives an IPM program must always look for alternatives first and use pesticides only as a last resort. There are many chemical products to choose from that are relatively benign to the larger environment and at the same time effective against target pests. The least toxic chemical needed for management will always
The best pesticides are species specific; that is, they affect just the group of organisms you are trying to suppress. Alpine School District will avoid broad-spectrum materials in favor of selective pesticides, when possible. When broad-spectrum materials must be used, however, they will be applied in a selective way such as spot-treating.
Speed
A quick-acting, short-lived, more acutely-toxic material might be necessary in emergencies; a slow-acting, longer-lasting, less-toxic material might be preferable for a chronic pest problem. An example of the latter is using slower-acting boric acid for cockroach control.
Repellency
Does the pesticide repel certain pests like cockroaches or bed bugs, or can bugs walk on top of it and not be repelled?
Resistance
Is there known resistance among an insect species to the pesticide you are thinking of using. Research the active ingredient (not the product name) or group of pesticides and determine if there is reported resistance.
Cost
This is usually measured as cost per volume of active ingredient used. Some of the newer, less-toxic microbial and botanical insecticides and insect growth regulators may appear to be more expensive than some older, more toxic pesticides. But the newer materials tend to be effective in far smaller doses than the older materials. This factor, together with their lower impact on the environment, often makes these newer materials more cost effective.
Least-Toxic Chemical Controls
Certified Pesticide Applicators
Only Utah certified pesticide applicators and Pest Management Professionals trained in Integrated Pest Management will apply pesticides on Alpine School District properties.
Notification
Students, staff and parents/guardians will generally be notified by Alpine School District at least 24-48 hours after to any pesticide application. For emergency applications where an imminent threat to health exists (e.g., stinging insects), students, staff, and parents/guardians will be notified within 24 hours after the pesticide application.
Posting
Pesticide application sites will be posted with highly visible signage during and at least 24-48 hours after all pesticide applications. Postings will be labeled with the date of application, pest treated for pesticide used, applicator name, certification number of applicator, phone number of applicator/company, and date/time reentry is authorized. For emergency applications where an imminent threat to health exists (e.g., stinging insects), postings must be placed as soon as practical, with a preference to no later than the start of the pesticide application.
Exclusion
Pesticides will not be applied when persons, other than pesticide applicators, are present or are expected to be present. All persons other than the pesticide applicators will be excluded from the treated site for at least eight (8) hours after the completion of any pesticide application, or as prescribed by the pesticide label, whichever is longer.
Exemptions
The use of insecticide or rodenticide baits in pre-manufactured, tamper-resistant containers placed in areas inaccessible to children, insecticide baits in gel or paste form placed in cracks and crevices inaccessible to children, and antimicrobial pesticides, including sanitizers and disinfectants, are exempt from notification, posting and exclusion requirements unless specified otherwise on label directions. Rodenticide baits in tamper-proof containers are exempt from exclusion requirements, but must be labeled with all other posting requirements on the exterior of each container. Such containers should be limited to areas normally inaccessible to children.
Record Keeping
Records will be maintained by the IPM coordinator of all monitoring and mitigation efforts, to include all in-house and contracted pesticide applications and copies of the pesticide applicators’ certifications for at least three (3) years after the date of the activity. Records documenting the use of all pesticide applications will include the applicator’s name, the product name, the product’s EPA registration number, quantity used, date and time of application, location, application method and the targeted pest. The IPM coordinator will also maintain records of committee minutes, training given to staff, continued education training taken, and exterior agency audits on environmental health, sanitation, and safety as they pertain to pesticide safety and pest mitigation for at least three (3) years from the date given or published.
Training
Training of personnel is critical to the success of our pesticide safety and IPM program. Staff, students, and the public will be educated about pest problems associated with school settings, the components of IPM, the district policy, their roles in achieving pest-free schools, and procedures.
Training will be performed based on the position and the way IPM pertains to that employee group.
Pest Identification Procedures
Pest identification is of primary importance before developing a management strategy. Each pest species will be treated differently depending on its biology, life cycle, know chemical resistance, etc. Pest will be identified using the resources listed in “IPM Coordinator Role” section above and with assistance from USU Extension.
Integrated pest management is not something new to our facility. We have always done it. The time has come to now approach and manage it in a new organized way.
As the IPM site coordinator I now need to inform the faculty, students, and community when I have pesticide application going on at our facility. I will create a blog here on this site and will also have a "Notice of Pesticide Application" sheet in the front entry of our facility up to 48 hours after I have applied pesticide. This way our faculty, students, parents, and community are aware of the pesticide application.
When I get notice of pest sighting from faculty, students, or patrons, I will log where the sighting was located. I will also log the pest type, date, and the action I took. Under the contact tab of this website you can contact or email me directly with a pest sighting. Please submit the above information to help me more effectively take care of the issue.
Faculty and Staff Guide
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)?
IPM is a program that manages pests with control methods that have the least possible hazard to
people, property and the environment. To eliminate the use of pesticides it is critical that we
understand the pest life cycle to implement a successful IPM program. Habitats that provide
pests with the essential three items (food, water and shelter) are the most likely to become
infested. Pest populations can be controlled in many situations by eliminating one or all habitat
essentials. However, IPM programs take advantage of all pest management options including the
use of pesticides when needed.
In the Classroom
The most efficient way to deal with a pest is to prevent them. Teachers play a vital role in pest
management in their classroom. As a teacher you have the ability to regulate what comes into
your classroom and how it is stored. So why do some have pests?
Food will never be eliminated completely from the classroom. Holiday treats and the possible
classroom meal are going to happen. It is the teacher’s job to help manage the cleanup and
storage of these food items. The use of plastic storage containers with a lid or even a zip-lock
freezer bag can make all the difference to prevent a pest. Garbage and recycling bins should be
emptied regularly and should never overflow. If you notice the need for garbage bins to be
emptied please contact a custodian.
Water/moisture creates an inviting habitat for classroom pests. If you notice leaky pipes or
faucets the custodial staff should be notified. Water or liquid spills of any kind should be cleaned
up immediately. Please make an effort to keep carpeted areas as clean as possible.
Shelter is created by the way classroom materials are stored. Corrugated cardboard is one of the
most used shelters for pests. German cockroaches are easily transported in the air channels, mice
build nests out of it and many other pests use it as harborage. Use plastic bins or crates instead of
cardboard for long term storage. Clutter is what a pest is looking for to make a home. Clutter is
difficult to clean around which means it rarely gets moved. This allows pest to live the good life
undisturbed. Take action on what can be organized and help remove the risk of a pest infestation.
Monitoring pest activity is important for a successful Integrated Pest Management program.
You can help by reporting pests in your classroom and following the food, water and shelter tips
shared above. It takes everyone’s participation to keep pests out of our school. Thanks for all you
do to support a pest free zone.
From Alpine School District IPM handbook
Integrated Pest Management Policy Statement
It is the policy of Alpine School District to manage pests in and around schools in a manner that protects human health, maintains the integrity of school buildings and grounds, and preserves the environment.
Alpine School District is committed to the sustainable management of pests through the use of sound Integrated Pest Management (IPM) that focuses on eliminating pest access to food, water and shelter in and around our schools. This is accomplished through the use of reduced risk pest control methods with a preference for non-chemical control measures. Sanitation, pest exclusion and habitat modification are essential to successful long term pest mitigation. Buildings will be regularly cleaned and repaired in order to prevent pest infestations. All facilities and grounds will be maintained to be free of trash, debris and clutter. Ornamental plants, turf, and desirable grasses will be managed in a manner that limits animal, plant and microbial pest attraction.
Oversight and Management
Alpine School District will actively manage the pesticide safety and IPM program by establishing a committee whose responsibilities include providing guidance, education, and support on program procedures and processes. Members of the committee will be appointed by the district leadership.f The committee will meet semi-annually, or more frequently as required, to address the components of this policy.
IPM Coordinator
An IPM Coordinator will be appointed by the district leadership to provide oversight and implementation of the pesticide safety and IPM program. The IPM coordinator is the key advisor to the district and is responsible for: development and management of appropriate plans, pest control contract oversight, conduct of training on pesticide safety and IPM to district and school staff, records management, and providing guidance and recommendations on current regulations, procedures and products used in managing pest populations. The IPM coordinator will be trained in the principles of Integrated Pest Management and pest control contract oversight, completing a minimum of six (6) hours of training annually on the subject.
IPM Site Coordinator (Head Custodian)
The Site IPM Coordinator manages the day-to-day activities of the IPM program at the building/school level and reports to the IPM Coordinator when necessary. The Site IPM Coordinator will be trained annually on pest identification, pest reporting and management; monitoring techniques using “sticky traps”; IPM inspection procedures; IPM pest mitigation strategies; recordkeeping; pesticide hazards, notification and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) requirements; exclusion methods and materials.
Site IPM Coordinators will be responsible for maintaining/updating the IPM binder in their office that can be made readily available to County Health Inspectors. The binder will contain:
- IPM education completion certificate.
- A copy of the district IPM Plan.
- Pest monitoring/reporting forms and recorded data.
- A map of the building with pest monitor locations indicated on the map.
- Approved pesticides list.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) of all chemicals on the Approved Pesticides List.
- Copies of work orders pertaining to pest management.
- Service/action reports from pest management professionals, or recorded actions taken by the head custodian to mitigate a particular pest issue.
- Building/pest inspection reports.
- Pest control action plans for common pests.
Pesticide Safety and IPM Plan
The IPM coordinator will develop an IPM plan and submit the final draft to the district leadership for submission to the board. The plan will address and detail the components of the district policy, list approved low hazard/toxicity products and methods by pest, and discuss the decision-making process for any pest mitigation effort, to include methods for monitoring, reporting pest sightings, action levels for the use of pesticides and a list of all environmentally sensitive areas that may be impacted by the district’s pest management activities. Pests will be listed in order of medical or health risk importance to assist in prioritizing pest mitigation efforts based on risk to students, staff and the community. The IPM coordinator, in coordination with the designated district school nurse, will develop and include appropriate action steps in the program plan for each pest of public health importance deemed a probable risk by the committee (head lice, bed bugs, fire ants, etc.).
Pesticide Use
When reasonable non-chemical approaches do not provide adequate control, products that pose the least risk to people and the environment will be selected, and then only used when and where pests are present, or expected to be present, as determined by monitoring and action thresholds and approved by the IPM coordinator. Pesticide applications will not be made on a routine or regularly scheduled basis. The use of pesticides with the signal words ‘Warning’ and ‘Danger’ should be avoided. In documented emergency situations where the presence of a pest immediately threatens the health or safety of students, staff, faculty members or members of the public using the campus, the IPM coordinator may consider the use of pesticide products that do not fit the above criteria.
Pesticide Selection
When contemplating the use of a pesticide in the Alpine School District, the following criteria will be used for selecting pesticide: safety, species specificity, effectiveness, endurance, speed, repellency and cost.
Safety
Safety for humans (especially children), pets, livestock, and wildlife, as well as safety for the overall environment. The health of school residents and long-term suppression of pests must be the primary objectives that guide pest control in school settings. To accomplish these objectives an IPM program must always look for alternatives first and use pesticides only as a last resort. There are many chemical products to choose from that are relatively benign to the larger environment and at the same time effective against target pests. The least toxic chemical needed for management will always
The best pesticides are species specific; that is, they affect just the group of organisms you are trying to suppress. Alpine School District will avoid broad-spectrum materials in favor of selective pesticides, when possible. When broad-spectrum materials must be used, however, they will be applied in a selective way such as spot-treating.
Speed
A quick-acting, short-lived, more acutely-toxic material might be necessary in emergencies; a slow-acting, longer-lasting, less-toxic material might be preferable for a chronic pest problem. An example of the latter is using slower-acting boric acid for cockroach control.
Repellency
Does the pesticide repel certain pests like cockroaches or bed bugs, or can bugs walk on top of it and not be repelled?
Resistance
Is there known resistance among an insect species to the pesticide you are thinking of using. Research the active ingredient (not the product name) or group of pesticides and determine if there is reported resistance.
Cost
This is usually measured as cost per volume of active ingredient used. Some of the newer, less-toxic microbial and botanical insecticides and insect growth regulators may appear to be more expensive than some older, more toxic pesticides. But the newer materials tend to be effective in far smaller doses than the older materials. This factor, together with their lower impact on the environment, often makes these newer materials more cost effective.
Least-Toxic Chemical Controls
Certified Pesticide Applicators
Only Utah certified pesticide applicators and Pest Management Professionals trained in Integrated Pest Management will apply pesticides on Alpine School District properties.
Notification
Students, staff and parents/guardians will generally be notified by Alpine School District at least 24-48 hours after to any pesticide application. For emergency applications where an imminent threat to health exists (e.g., stinging insects), students, staff, and parents/guardians will be notified within 24 hours after the pesticide application.
Posting
Pesticide application sites will be posted with highly visible signage during and at least 24-48 hours after all pesticide applications. Postings will be labeled with the date of application, pest treated for pesticide used, applicator name, certification number of applicator, phone number of applicator/company, and date/time reentry is authorized. For emergency applications where an imminent threat to health exists (e.g., stinging insects), postings must be placed as soon as practical, with a preference to no later than the start of the pesticide application.
Exclusion
Pesticides will not be applied when persons, other than pesticide applicators, are present or are expected to be present. All persons other than the pesticide applicators will be excluded from the treated site for at least eight (8) hours after the completion of any pesticide application, or as prescribed by the pesticide label, whichever is longer.
Exemptions
The use of insecticide or rodenticide baits in pre-manufactured, tamper-resistant containers placed in areas inaccessible to children, insecticide baits in gel or paste form placed in cracks and crevices inaccessible to children, and antimicrobial pesticides, including sanitizers and disinfectants, are exempt from notification, posting and exclusion requirements unless specified otherwise on label directions. Rodenticide baits in tamper-proof containers are exempt from exclusion requirements, but must be labeled with all other posting requirements on the exterior of each container. Such containers should be limited to areas normally inaccessible to children.
Record Keeping
Records will be maintained by the IPM coordinator of all monitoring and mitigation efforts, to include all in-house and contracted pesticide applications and copies of the pesticide applicators’ certifications for at least three (3) years after the date of the activity. Records documenting the use of all pesticide applications will include the applicator’s name, the product name, the product’s EPA registration number, quantity used, date and time of application, location, application method and the targeted pest. The IPM coordinator will also maintain records of committee minutes, training given to staff, continued education training taken, and exterior agency audits on environmental health, sanitation, and safety as they pertain to pesticide safety and pest mitigation for at least three (3) years from the date given or published.
Training
Training of personnel is critical to the success of our pesticide safety and IPM program. Staff, students, and the public will be educated about pest problems associated with school settings, the components of IPM, the district policy, their roles in achieving pest-free schools, and procedures.
Training will be performed based on the position and the way IPM pertains to that employee group.
Pest Identification Procedures
Pest identification is of primary importance before developing a management strategy. Each pest species will be treated differently depending on its biology, life cycle, know chemical resistance, etc. Pest will be identified using the resources listed in “IPM Coordinator Role” section above and with assistance from USU Extension.