The Mechanics of IPM in Schools

by Shelly Branstetter

The core principle of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is to take preventative measures in order to make schools inhospitable to pests and thus diminishing the use of pesticides. It seems like a relatively simple concept. However, it does require educating school personnel on IPM principles.

Katy ISD has implemented an IPM program which involves a team of teachers, students and custodial workers in practicing preventative measures, not solely an IPM Coordinator.  The first steps of their program involves asking teachers and students to report pest problems immediately and assisting in keeping classrooms free of food and candy  which attracts pests. Additionally, the district has asked that teachers not bring any pesticides into the school since it is against IPM regulations for unlicensed persons to make pesticide applications.

Katy ISD has even implemented protocol for dealing with food in the classroom. Teachers and students are asked to keep snacks to one area of the classroom and to make sure that area is free of food and cleaned once snack time is over. If the area is not completely free of food and crumbs, the teachers are asked to contact the front office to request a custodian clean and sanitize the area. This is a simple solution to the common problem of food in the classroom. Additionally, the environmental team at Katy ISD also does monthly inspections of their schools and resolves any issues that may lead to a pest problem.  These are two simple steps that assist in preventing pest issues.

Once a teacher or student reports a pest, the office personnel of the school are instructed to submit a work order and the environmental team begins their investigation. The investigation focuses on resolving the current pest problem, without the use of pesticides, and taking preventative measures in hopes of stopping any further pest problems.  First, they interview the teachers or other school personnel in order to determine the type of pest, duration of the infestation and what previous steps have been taken in order to elevate the infestation, such as sanitizing the area and removing any food sources. The team then does a comprehensive inspection and investigates all aspects that could be leading to the infestation. Then the least toxic methods are used to resolve the problem.

Some of their methods include:

• Caulking crevices and cracks that allow for pest harborage.
• Making sure no light is visible under the door sweeps. 
• Thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing. 
• Eliminating all holes, cracks, gaps and openings.  Maintenance departments should quickly make repairs once an opening to a building is detected. 
• Adding tight gap free skirting to portables to prevent pest harborage.
• Making sure food in classrooms is stored in air tight, plastic containers.

The team then performs a follow-up to determine if these methods alleviated the pest problem. The pest control professionals will only apply “Green” and “Yellow” pesticides if they determine their previous efforts did not resolve the problem.  “Red” pesticides are not included in Katy ISD’s program. After the pesticide application, a member of the environmental team will perform another follow up in order to confirm the problem has been resolved or if additional action needs to be taken.

Katy ISD has designed a pest prevention program based on the very ideals of Integrated Pest Management. They focus on taking preventative measures to prevent pest infestations and use pesticide application only when these methods were unable to resolve the pest issue.

OnSite would like to thank Peggy Caruso, Assistant Environmental Director/IPM Coordinator and Roger Deards, IPM Coordinator/Pest Management Professional for allowing us to use their program as a reference.

  
If you have questions, please call us at 800.580.8272, extension 4154, or e-mail us.