Integrated Pest Management Policy (9211)

Many kinds of pests pose significant problems for people and property. The pesticides that are often used in pest control carry potential risks to human health and environmental quality. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a common-sense approach to pest control that has been proven to effectively control pests and minimize health and safety risks to school occupants. It is therefore the policy of the Wilkes County School District to adopt IPM programs or incorporate IPM procedures into the maintenance program conducted by public school systems for control of pests.

An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program has six main components:

1. Education. Pest Management Professionals (PMP) should receive training in IPM methods. In addition, school maintenance staff, teachers, students, administrators, and all other members of the school community should be educated about their roles in successful pest management.
2. Monitoring. PMPs should inspect school buildings and grounds regularly and use monitoring traps and devices to assess levels of pest activity and recommend appropriate measures to prevent infestations.
3. Prevention. The bulk of the effort in an IPM program is made in preventative measures: improving sanitation, pest-proofing, storage and waste disposal, making structural adjustments and repairs, and maintaining good plant and soil health.
4. Least Hazardous Pest Control. When pest problems do occur, control methods are chosen to minimize toxicity and risk of exposure. Mechanical controls are favored over chemical ones; low-toxicity chemical formulations are preferred over high-toxicity formulations; and low-broadcast, highly targeted application methods are preferred over high-broadcast, less targeted methods.
5. Notification. Administration, staff, students, and parents should be notified in writing before any chemical pesticide is applied on their school grounds, advised of appropriate measures to avoid exposure, and to identify and treat the symptoms of exposure in case of a problem.
6. Record Keeping. School staff and PMPs should keep records of pest activity and control measures taken to establish trends that will help PMPs to anticipate and prevent future problems.