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. IPM is an approach that has been around for several decades and has been widely used in agricultural settings. Schools can adopt IPM practices, too, to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment both indoors and out.

Why Use IPM in schools?

People vary widely in their sensitivity to chemicals such as pesticides and can be sensitive to certain pests, such as cockroaches and stinging insects. Schools must balance the known health risks of uncontrolled pest infestations, the safety of school staff and students and the use of pesticides. IPM can be used to achieve that balance.

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. Chemical controls are used only when needed and in the least-toxic formulation that is effective against the pest. 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 is not a quick fix but can be achieved through administrative support, involvement of the school community and communication with Pest Management Professionals.

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. All of this in turn can reduce school liability.

Below are a few questions you may want to consider with regards to pests in Missouri schools:

Does your school have an IPM Policy?
Does your school contract with Pest Management Professionals?
Does the contract list specific IPM practices?
Are school staff and students participating in IPM practices?

Implementing IPM in Missouri Schools

The Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Center for Safe Schools were awarded a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to implement IPM in Missouri schools.

As part of this grant, a state IPM Workgroup was assembled to work on developing school policies for IPM, provide sample IPM contracts for schools and provide schools with IPM resources.

Members of the IPM Workgroup represent several organizations and agencies including:

Missouri Department of Agriculture

Missouri Center for Safe Schools

Missouri Association of Rural Educators

Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

Missouri PTA

Missouri Pest Management Association

Missouri School Boards’ Association

Missouri School Districts of Carthage R-9, Nixa R-II, Parkway, & Warrensburg

Missouri Safer Management of Pests and Landscapes

Missouri School Plant Managers Association

University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Contacts

Missouri Department of Agriculture
Anastasia Becker
IPM Program Manager
P.O. Box 630
Jefferson City , Mo. 65102
Phone: (573) 526-0837
Fax: (573) 522-1109
E-mail: Anastasia.Becker@mda.mo.gov

Missouri Center for Safe Schools
Russ Thompson, Ph.D.
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City , Mo. 64110
Phone: (816) 235-5656
E-mail: thompsonrs@umkc.edu

Resources/Links

Pest Press Issue 4 – Ants (PDF: 89kb)

Pest Press Issue 3 – Mice (PDF: 105kb)

Pest Press Issue 2 – Cockroaches (PDF: 209kb)

Pest Press Issue 1 – Headlice (PDF: 131kb)

EPA IPM in Schools – Pesticides-Controlling Pests, a How to Manual

EPA IPM in Schools – Resource Guides

Iowa State IPM in Schools – Articles, Lesson Plans, Newsletters

“IPM easy as ABC” – University of Nebraska – IPM Resource Manual

The IPM Institute of North American, Inc. – IPM Standards for Schools

IPM Publications – Minnesota Department of Agriculture – IPM Fact Sheets for Schools

IPM Technical Resource Center – Purdue University – addresses child care facilities

Missouri Center for Safe Schools – see sample IPM school policy

Missouri Pesticide Program – Missouri Department of Agriculture – State Pesticide Regulations

National IPM in Schools – University of Florida – presentations, videos and other resources

United States GAO report: “Use, Effects, and Alternatives to Pesticides in Schools”

University of Missouri – Insect Guide Sheets for Pest Management

University of Missouri – IPM in Missouri’s Urban Environment