Health/Life Safety
Integrated Pest Management in Schools
SB 529, signed by Governor Ryan on August 13, 1999 as P.A.
91-0525, requires public schools to conduct an Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) program rather than rely on routine
spraying to control pests. The intent of this legislation
was passed in response to concerns that too many schools rely
on routine chemical applications at the exclusion of other
measures of pest control.
The Structural Pest Control Act requires that:
- Public schools adopt, when economically feasible, an
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program which incorporates
the guidelines
developed by the IDPH (e.g., Tips
for Safer Roach Control; A
Practical Guide to Management of Common Pests in Schools - 1999.)
- A school employee should be appointed to oversee pest
management operations and record keeping.
- Schools notify parents or guardians two business days
prior to any pesticide application in a school excluding
anti-microbial agents and insecticide or rodenticide baits.
Individuals requesting notification may be placed on a registry.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), with the
assistance of the Illinois Pest Control Association and
University
of Illinois Extension, has published the two manuals mentioned
above. These manuals are available on IDPH’s
website.
In addition, a regional School IPM Technical Resource and
Information Center has been established at Purdue University
to provide the technical support schools need to start an
IPM program. The Center provides education in IPM principles
and specific pest management practices, tools and resources
to help school administrators start an IPM program or develop
a pest management policy for their schools, and quick answers
to pest management questions. For more information, call the
School IPM Hotline at 877/668-8IPM (8476) or by visiting their
website.
New Integrated Pest Management
Handbook
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