Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: June 17, 2008

Department of Agriculture, Centralia Schools Recognized for Pest Management Control

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in schools is a decision-making process that combines practical pest management strategies to prevent or control pests in ways that reduce risks to health and the environment. Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized a Missouri school for their efforts in balancing the known health risks of uncontrolled pest infestations, the safety of school staff and students and the use of pesticides. The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s IPM Program, a part of the department’s Plant Industries Division, is working with the Centralia R-VI School District to implement a pilot IPM program both in the buildings and on the school grounds. Additional partners in the effort include Dr. Marc Lame, Dr. Mark Shour, and Jerry Joachim, nationally recognized implementers of school IPM programs.

"IPM is an approach that has been around for several decades and has been widely used in agricultural settings," said Judy Grundler, division director of the Plant Industries Division. "Instead of routine chemical applications, IPM is an approach to pest control utilizing cultural, mechanical, educational, biological and physical controls with selective use of pesticides. Under IPM, a well-organized and comprehensive approach is in place to prevent pests from reaching unacceptable levels utilizing low-risk control strategies when necessary. IPM in school settings is not a quick fix but can be achieved through administrative support, involvement of the school community and communication with pest management professionals."

The Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Center for Safe Schools were awarded two grants from the EPA to implement IPM in Missouri schools. As part of these grants, a state IPM Workgroup was assembled to work on developing school policies for IPM, provide sample IPM contracts for schools, set up a pilot project in a school and provide schools with IPM resources.

The Centralia R-VI school district made definite progress during their IPM project reducing pesticide application by 90%, complying with the recommended use of pesticides only as needed, increased and improved pest monitoring and decreased the number of brown recluse spiders and roaches through reduced classroom clutter and improved sanitation.

IPM is a long term investment which can result in cost savings for schools. Pest prevention measures include some of the same structural fixes for increased energy efficiency. Barriers to prevent pests’ access into a building quite often tighten up windows, door thresholds and utility entrance points, which in turn will help insulate. Schools may also see a return investment from less absenteeism with healthy buildings that help maintain student and staff health.

To learn more, visit the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Web site at www.mda.mo.gov or contact Anastasia Becker, IPM program manager, at (573) 526-0837 or Anastasia.Becker@mda.mo.gov.

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