This webpage was developed in collaboration with the Urban Pesticide Education Strategy Team (UPEST). Part of this content has been adapted from resources provided by the Oregon State University School IPM Program.
About Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
IPM is a common-sense, well-established method to control pests by reducing their sources of food, water, and shelter. It uses the least toxic pest controls when necessary. Using an effective IPM program means identifying and monitoring pests and selecting control methods that are appropriate and the least hazardous. IPM can be effective inside and outside schools.
Find resources and steps on this webpage to successfully implement IPM in your school. Learn more about general IPM.
Pests and Pesticides in Schools
A pest is an unwanted plant, animal, insect, germ, or other organism that interferes with our activities. They may cause disease, bite, or damage property at schools.
A pesticide is a substance, or mix of substances, used to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests, including for plants or fungi. Pesticides can harm people and the environment if not used carefully and following all instructions on the pesticide label. Applying pesticides on Washington K-12 school grounds sometimes requires training. Learn more at Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Schools and Child Care Centers.
Why IPM is Used in Schools
Pests can harbor allergens, exacerbate asthma, and carry diseases. This may cause sickness, absence from school, and poor learning outcomes. Pests found at schools may include rats and mice, yellowjackets, ants, cockroaches, or weeds in the play areas. Schools often need to control multiple pests in buildings and on school grounds.
IPM reduces exposure to harmful pests and chemicals. Minimizing children’s exposure to pesticides protects immediate and long-term health. Chemical pesticides vary widely in their potential toxicity and pose the risk of chemical exposures. Children are more vulnerable to chemical pesticide exposures than adults because of their developing systems and behaviors.
How IPM is Used in Schools
Use IPM to emphasize long-term pest prevention through:
- Good sanitation, especially in classrooms and food areas.
- Physical barriers such as door sweeps and seals, screens, and caulk to keep pests out of buildings.
- Regular grounds maintenance and landscaping.
- Monitoring, traps, and low hazard pesticides help identify and reduce emerging problems.
Use the least hazardous product to manage pests when chemical pesticides are necessary. Further reduce pesticide hazards by:
- Working with trained and licensed pest professionals who carefully follow the label directions.
- Applying when children are absent and in areas where children cannot access them (e.g. wall voids).
- Using baits and gels that do not contain solvents or become volatile.
- Posting in treatment areas and restricting access until ventilation or drying is complete.
Public schools and licensed daycares must provide a pest control policy and notifications before pesticide use. Find more information about requirements on the Schools and Pesticides page.