.......IPM

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Q&A

Pest control products are part of a responsible and balanced integrated pest management program. They are an important tool in the overall effort to protect the health and safety of children. The use of pest control products should be a local issue, decided by responsible school officials such as principals and administrators on a school-by-school and district-by-district case.

A: IPM is an acronym for Integrated Pest Management. The legal definition of IPM, defined in federal law, is:

A sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic health and environmental risks."

There are many ways to control pests. Methods include sanitation, structural repair and maintenance, watering and mowing practices, as well as a judicious use of pest control products. This balanced approach is one that will assure health and safety for children and adults. Pest control products shouldn't be considered for emergency use only. An effective IPM program should prevent emergencies.

Q: HOW DO PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS FIT IN TO THE WHOLE IPM PROCESS?

A: Pest control products should be used routinely, safely and in accordance with the label in IPM programs throughout school systems. These products eliminate pests and pose no threat whatsoever to students.

"You cannot lead rodents or cockroaches out of a home, school or restaurant by playing a flute or by waving a meat cleaver. Management of pests requires an organized plan and often more than one tool or tactic. While pesticides are no panacea, when used responsibly and with discretion, they are invaluable tools in the fight against pests."

Sue Kamuda, of the Hinsdale Illinois School District 181 summed up the importance and efficiency of using and IPM program, "Many IPM techniques are just good maintenance practices that we should be employing anyway," she said.

Q: WHAT ABOUT "LEAST TOXIC" PRODUCTS?

A: "Least toxic" pest protection products would be, in effect, less effective. Legislation is proposed that only "least toxic" pest protection products could be used without informing parents ahead of time. Pests must be controlled and eradicated in a timely manner to remove health threats to schoolchildren and teachers. Effective control comes only when the pesticide can eliminate the bug, plant, algae, fungus or other pest.

Q: HOW ARE PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS APPLIED?

A: Schoolchildren and teachers may not even come into contact with an applied pest control product. Typically pesticides are applied in cracks and crevices of walls and floors, and around the openings for water and heating lines to eliminate cockroaches, termites, ants and other insect pests. Other products might be used on poison ivy or other weeds growing along fence lines and other outdoor areas.

Again, this application should be done within an IPM program. A well designed IPM program can actually reduce pesticide use because the best first defense against disease-carrying insects and vermin and noxious weeds like poison oak and should always be building and ground maintenance sanitation.

Q: SHOULDN'T PARENTS BE INFORMED ABOUT THESE ISSUES?

A: Parents have the right to know that their children are safe and protected at school. Schools have a responsibility to provide safe schools and inform parents when health and safety concerns arise.

Under the proposed legislation, parents would be denied information about infection and disease risks from dangerous pests to their children. Instead, notices would explain potential health risks from pest control products - even though the EPA confirms the safety of these products with proper use.

Q: WHAT IF A PARENT WANTS TO KEEP CLOSE TABS ON THE USE OF THESE PRODUCTS IN THEIR CHILDREN'S SCHOOL?

A: All parents and adults responsible for children have a right to know how their children's schools and play areas are being kept free of potentially harmful disease carrying pests and noxious weeds.

If parents and guardians wish to know about the use of pesticide products in their schools, they should be allowed to register to be notified. Many states already have a parent notification process in place.

Schools should not be forced to send four to six mailings to each parent for every routine pesticide application. There are approximately 47.6 million children being educated in U.S. public schools. Routinely sending letters to parents of those children ties up precious school resources.

Less than 2% of parents want to know if a pesticide application is going to occur. Why bother the 98% of parents with expensive information they do not need or want? It's expensive and time consuming.

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