Integrated Pest Management in Schools

Integrated Pest Management Best Practices

Pests come in many different forms, each with their own consequences for students and school facilities. Some pests pose safety risks to people (e.g. stinging insects and poisonous plants can cause severe allergic reactions), while others can simply be an annoyance or impact the aesthetics of your facility. ​
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Regardless of the pest, you can use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices - preventative measures that reduce the need for chemical pesticides - to maintain school grounds while minimizing hazards and health risks. IPM programs have many benefits, including cost savings on pesticides and contracted services, reduced exposure to pests and chemical treatments, a healthier facility, and an improved environment for everyone. 

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Resources

Starting an IPM program may sound challenging, but these resources introduce you to the basics and help guide you through the process. Whether you are a school custodian, facility manager, administrator, or classroom teacher, you will find something useful and applicable here to help you  accomplish your goals of creating greener, healthier schools!

• EPA IPM in Schools website​
• ​IPM Institute of North America School IPM Resources​
• Pest Defense for Healthy Schools Online Training​
• ​University of Nebraska IPM in Schools Website​
• Texas IPM in School Guide
• National School IPM Information Source at the University of Florida
• Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry K-12 IPM Education (Curriculay by Grade and Subject)
• IPM for Pennsylvania Schools and Childcares How-To Manual
• Northeastern IPM Center School IPM Best Practices

* Some states have regulatory requirements for implementing IPM in schools. Not all language in some of these resources will apply to your school, but the links do include useful information on IPM and helpful guides for developing your program.

EPA Region 7 IPM Resources

• University of Missouri IPM Publications
• Kansas State University Research and Extension IPM Resources​

About  the Environmental Finance Center at Wichita State University

The Environmental Finance Center serves communities in EPA Region 7 (Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska). Our projects leverage federal and state grants that focus on research and innovative approaches to environmental policy, protection and management, especially the "how to pay" questions necessary for environmental improvements.

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement #AI97756601 to Wichita State University Environmental Finance Center. The contents of this page do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned on this page.