Integrated Pest Management Pests Can Have a Throw Down in Our Buildings

Oregon’s New Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Law Why it is/Why you care What it means What it means to the District What it means to YOU

IPM – The Why of It All Some pests can carry disease Pesticides can be VERY hazardous to our health We need to understand them Education goes a long way

IPM – What It Means Reduce pests in/around schools Establish acceptable thresholds One rodent, one too many 10 ants, not a health hazard Educate!!! Pesticide use as a LAST resort

What do you do when you do IPM? You don’t attract pests (pests need food, shelter, water)

Pest Attractants/Food Fridge, Microwave & Pantry in the Classroom Food Chips, nuts, candy & cereal Pasta, soups, peanut butter, canned fruit & vegetables, crackers, bread & dessert items Empty soft drink cans

What do you do when you do IPM? You keep them out (pests need an entrance, but not much of one!)

What do you do when you do IPM? When you do have them, you get rid of them in the safest way possible (least risk to people and the environment) Clean up Declutter Trapping My Dream Classroom!

What’s the difference between IPM and what we’re doing now? ElementConventional Pest Control Integrated Pest Management Education, knowledgeMinimalExtensive Inspection & monitoringMinimalExtensive EmphasisTreat symptoms of problem, and/or routine pesticide applications. Treat causes of problem. Pesticides used only rarely. Insecticides in occupied spaces Sprays and aerosolsBaits, gels, dusts, IGRs, etc. Application of sprays or fogging Surface treatmentsGenerally avoided or crack and crevice only Sanitation and exclusion for rodent control MinimalExtensive Lethal control of rodentsEmphasis on rodenticidesEmphasis on trapping Program strategyReactivePreventive Potential liabilityHighLow Table courtesy of BIRC

What does the law require? All school districts must have and implement an IPM Plan All school districts must designate an IPM Plan Coordinator (Tag, I’m it!) All school districts must adopt a list of low-impact pesticides All pesticide applications must be made by a licensed applicator Notification, posting, record-keeping of pesticide applications

ORS (Plan Coordinators – AKA me) Must attend at least six hours of training on IPM and ORS Must conduct education and outreach to school staff Oversees pest prevention efforts MOST IMPORTANT: Makes sure decision-making process is followed (monitoring & reporting pests, taking action) Assures notification, posting, recordkeeping of applications Maintains approved pesticide list Responds to school staff and parents about noncompliance

ORS (applications of low-impact pesticides) Sanitation, not pesticides, makes the biggest impact on pest populations. Non Chemical measures first Applications of low-impact pesticides Coordinator must authorize Applicator must have license

ORS (notices, warning signs) Coordinator or designee must give written notice of proposed application Notice given to parents, faculty, staff, etc. Notice given at lease 24 hours prior

ORS (Reentry, Emergencies) Reentry into sprayed area Pest Emergencies only after consultation with school faculty and administration Coordinator has to review IPM plan if there is an emergency

Components of Oregon’s IPM Law Education on components of IPM. Explanation of thresholds, pest conducive conditions, etc. Working with staff members who repeatedly refuse to reduce clutter and other pest-conducive conditions in their classrooms/workspaces. Confiscating any unapproved pesticides (such as aerosol spray cans.)

Vonnie B. Good Environmental Safety Specialist Risk Management Questions? Want me to come present at your building???