Teachers and Integrated Pest Management (“IPM”)

Your school system has adopted an IPM Program for controlling pests throughout your school system. IPM is the use of pest and environmental information, combined with various pest control methods to manage pest populations below injury thresholds. Specifically, the IPM process involves a partnership between school personnel and the PMP. This partnership is the cornerstone of a successful IPM Program because each partner must carry out his or her duties.

You and your students play an integral part in the IPM Program. Pest sightings should be reported immediately to the custodian and/or other designated personnel with the following information: type of pest, exact location and time of event.	Vague description for example “I see them all over” are not helpful and may hinder our ability to resolve the problem.

Do not attempt “Self Help” measures, e.g. spraying with a can of “BUG SPRAY” if a pest problem develops. Not only is this considered endangering the welfare of a child according to the law, it may negate what the PMP has already done and further exacerbate the problem. As soon as a pest problem develops, the problem should be reported to the IPM Coordinator and entered into the Pest Sighting Log Book that is at the main office.

The following are some suggestions that will help to control unwanted pest(s) and are an important part of the IPM Program:

	Store all food items including candy in tightly sealed containers. Mice can gnaw through plastic baggies and cardboard boxes;
	Store paperwork, toys and other items neatly and avoid clutter;
	If students are eating and/or snacking in the classroom, initiate a cleanup period where all spills and food debris are cleaned up in a timely manner;
	There should be only one garbage can designated for disposal of food debris and should be emptied daily;
	The use of food in classrooms in itself is not a problem; the problem is classrooms that are not cleaned after each meal. During a class day, in any given room, children may eat four (4) or five (5) times without thoroughly cleaning. If you are going to eat in a classroom, every effort has to be made to clean up all food debris after each meal;
	Storage of snacks in a classroom, if food must be stored, it should only be stored in a seal tight container. For example, ants forage for food, once a food source is found the ants lay down a scented trail that the other ants can follow. The scented trail can be broken by cleaning the path;
	Instruct the students not to store food in their desks;

Teachers and Integrated Pest Management (“IPM”)

	Over any school breaks and/or holidays, the desks should be cleaned and all food removed;
	If food is utilized in the class for activities, e.g. grains, corn, pasta, beans, pet food, etc., these items should be stored in a refrigerator, or in the alterative, in metal tight containers;
	You should attempt to incorporate IPM concepts into the curriculum and/or class related projects;
	Do not over water plants;
        Any items that may be donated, e.g. food items for a food drive or used furniture, MUST be inspected for pests prior to allowing the items(s) into the school; and
	Advise students NOT to share and/or exchange hats, clothing, combs and/or hairbrushes.

Using the Pest Sighting Log Book (Chapter 3 of the IPM Binder)

	Please record all Pest Sightings in the Pest Sighting Log Book.
	Please be very specific as to where in the building and/or room the pest was seen.
	Each pest sighting will be used by our IPM professional to track and follow up on corrective action.

Teachers and Integrated Pest Management (“IPM”)