School Business Services
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.
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.
