Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Schools-Pilot Project-

Essex/Hudson Counties

School Pilot Projects Essex/Hudson County CEHA ProgramIntegrated Pest Management (IPM) Project in

Schools

Implement a pilot IPM project at three schools in the county currently using conventional pest

management practices. Upon completion of the project, an analysis between conventional pest

management practices and the alternative methods involved in IPM will be examined to determine

changes in pesticide usage, cost of implementing IPM vs. a conventional approach, as well as the reduction of potential risk to pesticide exposure.

School Pilot Projects Essex/Hudson County CEHA

ProgramImplementation:NJDEP-Pesticide Control Program (PCP) will assist in training county health officials in the fundamentals of IPM, including established minimum criteria

Upon selection of participating school(s), a meeting with school officials, County staff and PCP staff will be necessary to discuss:

The scope of the IPM projectImplementation timetable to be adhered toCounty officials’ project responsibilities in cooperation with the participating school

School Pilot Projects Essex/Hudson County CEHA

Program•County officials will communicate with NJDEP-PCP throughout the course of the project to assess its’ progress •Through inspection of pest management records, an initial assessment of current and past practices •Routine monitoring visits documented by County personnel, with reports provided to PCP•Final report to include, but not limited to:

Pest populations•Comparison of conventional vs. IPM pest control program Success in implementation of IPM pest control program •Recommendations for improvement

School Pilot Projects Essex/Hudson County CEHA

ProgramHudson County

• 3 schools - Jersey City elementary school and day care center - North Bergen elementary school•all outside contractors for pest control - custodial applications in some instances•3-story structures with basements - 80-100yrs old •Common control methods needed

•structural, sanitation, exclusion and removal of standing water

•Rodents, ants and cockroaches primary pests•Day care center on first floor with unfinished basement and apartments

School Pilot Projects Essex/Hudson County CEHA

Program

Essex County• 3 schools - South Orange/Maplewood School district, East Orange and Millburn•all outside contractors for pest control • initial visits to review previous pest control practices and review record keeping•Contract bid requiring “extermination service twice monthly in the entire building, each room or area, with special attention for critical areas-no deviation from this contractual requirement”

• Clear overgrown plantings and excessive weed growth to eliminate harborage for pests

• Landscape plantings offer pests access to buildings.

Landscape

• Thoroughly inspect grounds on a routine basis for evidence of debris which provide ideal breeding grounds for pests.

• Limit the use of pesticides in areas accessed by children.

School grounds

• Keep areas under kitchen equipment clean and dry.• Store dish washing racks only after they are cleaned and

dried.• These are preferred hiding places for many pests.

Kitchen

• Do not store items within cardboard boxes. Unpack cartons and utilize shelving.

• Rotate inventory-”first in-first out” • Discard or reject delivery of leaky or damaged goods.

Correct

Incorrect

Dry Storage Area

• Pest problems can be very severe in the school cafeteria.• Sanitation is essential. Close, careful inspection of eating

areas is very important.• All garbage cans need to be covered.• Remove garbage from the cafeteria on a daily basis.

Cafeteria

• Store classroom items in a well kept manner to facilitate pest inspections.

• Remove excess clutter and enable access to exits• Keep areas near windows and doors clear.

Classrooms

• All coats and backpacks should be placed on hooks or separate cubicles-NOT ON THE FLOOR!

Classrooms

• Many pest species use classroom sinks as a water source.Cleanliness in this area is a must.

• Food and beverages in the classroom in designated areas only. Rinse beverage containers before disposal in covered garbage cans.

Classrooms

Boiler Room

Boiler Room

Boiler Room

After

Before

Boiler Room

Before

After

Prevent pest populations through sanitation

Remember the Four Steps of IPM

….and exclusion practices.

Remember the Four Steps of IPM

Apply pesticides only as needed. Select the least hazardous pesticide to

control the pests.

Remember the Four Steps of IPM

Target pesticides to areas not contacted by or accessible to the students, faculty or staff.

Remember the Four Steps of IPM

Target pesticides to areas not contacted by or accessible to the students, faculty or staff.

Remember the Four Steps of IPM

Target pesticides to areas not contacted by or accessible to the students, faculty or staff.

Remember the Four Steps of IPM

Ann R Waters, Outreach Coordinator

NJ DEPPesticide Control Program

PO Box 411, Trenton, NJ 08625-0411

(609) 984-5014email: Ann.Waters@dep.state.nj.us

http://pcpnj.org

•Acknowledgements:•Clay W. Scherer, University of Florida•Matthew B. Downey, University of Florida

School IPM World Wide Web Site http://schoolipm.ifas.ufl.edu/

Entomology and Nematology DepartmentCopyright University of Florida 1998