IPM in Schools is Now Law

April 2002

Schools all across Pennsylvania will now be achieving long-term, environmentally sound pest management through the use of a wide variety of technological and integrated pest management practices. Integrated pest management (IPM) plans rely heavily on prevention, sanitation, maintenance, and monitoring to reduce the reliance on pesticides, says Ed Rajotte, associate professor of entomology at Pennsylvania State University and Pennsylvania IPM Program Coordinator. "Control strategies in an IPM plan include structural and procedural modifications that reduce the food, water, harborage, and access used by pests. Pesticides are used on an as-needed basis as determined by monitoring. When a pesticide is needed, it is applied in an enclosed trap or on a spot treatment basis whenever possible and targeted to the specific pest."

In addition, the least toxic, shortest duration effective material is used. Pesticides are not applied when students, teachers, or staff are present in the affected area to ensure the safety of the school learning environment.

The bill also places responsibilities on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) to assist schools in developing, planning, and preparing the IPM plan. Specifically, the department will maintain a Hypersensitivity Registry to assist in notifying students and employees who are especially sensitive to pesticides and designate an IPM coordinator within the department to assist schools in adopting and administering IPM plans. The PDA will also prepare a standard structural IPM agreement and distribute it to schools, as well as provide other materials and support to help schools develop IPM plans.

Schools also must post a notice of plans to apply pesticides at least 72 hours in advance and for two days afterward. In addition, the new legislation requires schools to give parents who request it advance notice of plans to spray pesticides.

The notification law had the backing of parents, teachers, public health, and environmental groups. The new legislation takes effect Jan.1, 2003, at which time every public school in Pennsylvania will be required to have its IPM and pesticide notification plan in place.

The Pennsylvania IPM (PA IPM) program is a collaboration between Penn State and the PDA to promote IPM in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings. The PA IPM Program's website contains a wealth of information and resources for schools adopting IPM programs.