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IPM
methods equip pest control operators and other members of
the IPM team to design flexible, site-specific pest
management plans scaled to the severity of the problems and
the level of resources available.
Use of
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles and practices in
the school environment is a growing trend in communities
throughout the United States. IPM's focus on pest prevention
using effective, least-toxic methods is proving practical to
apply and cost-effective to operate.
EPA
promotes integrated pest management through documents such
as the IPM for Schools: A How-to Manual, because IPM
represents a prudent approach to understanding and dealing
with environmental concerns. Because IPM is a
decision-making process and not a rote method, an IPM
program will always be able to take into account the wide
spectrum of pest problems and the diversity of people
involved.
IPM for
Schools: A How-to Manual is available in Adobe Portable
Document Format (PDF).
Chapters 1
through 4 provide a full discussion of IPM concepts
pertaining to schools. These chapters will be of particular
interest to school board members, administrators,
principals, facility managers, and parents as they work to
establish IPM policies, pest control contract guidelines,
and other administrative systems designed to
institutionalize IPM. Appendix B, "How To Develop An
IPM Program," provides a step-by-step guide for
implementing a school IPM program, and includes a discussion
of the psychological and institutional barriers to IPM.
Chapters 5
through 19 cover IPM strategies for 14 of the most common
pests or problem sites in U.S. schools. These chapters are
written primarily for pest control personnel and others who
may be involved in the day-to-day pest management in a
school.
Disclaimer:
Mention of trade names, products, or services does not
convey, and should not be interpreted as conveying, official
EPA approval, endorsement, or recommendation. |
