A Bug's Life., AS&U, American School & University, 02-01-1999

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A Bug's Life

AS & U, American School & University

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Insects and other pests are a part of every environment, no matter what the

weather or climate. Consequently, few would argue the need to control these

pests, especially in and around schools. Cockroaches, ants, wasps, head

lice and rodents-the pests most commonly found in schools-do more than

disrupt the learning environment. These pests pose serious health threats

to children.

For example, cockroach droppings exacerbate asthma, particularly in

children. Ants can transmit Staph and Strep infections, and rodents can

transmit Hantavirus, a deadly respiratory infection.

Growing concern about the use of pesticides in schools has prompted debate,

at state and local levels, about the most effective control methods. For

instance, parents in Milwaukee's Fox Point-Bayside School District banned

the use of herbicides to control poison ivy and other weeds. However, the

decision was reversed when a student had to undergo a 22-day course of

steroids to treat a poison-ivy rash.

In neighboring Illinois, the Task Force on Pesticides and Children' s Health

(TFPCH) is taking a different approach. This coalition of parents,

educators, physicians, pest-control specialists and legislators is working

to reduce pesticide exposure by making Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

mandatory in all Illinois schools. According to the task force, IPM is a

" safer, more effective alternative to routine pesticide spraying. "

In Gwinnett County, Ga., IPM reduced pesticide costs by 40 percent in the

first four years with no reduction in program effectiveness. " During the

same period, the number of schools and students increased by almost 20

percent, " says , environmental coordinator for the public

school system in northeastern metro Atlanta.

Reducing potential liability

Student and faculty complaints of unexplainable symptoms at Community

Consolidated School District 181, Hinsdale, Ill., forced the examination of

numerous factors, including pest control. Although the symptoms were not

attributable to pesticide use, Sue Kamuda, facilities director, now takes

an integrated approach to pest management.

While there is general agreement on the value of IPM, opinions differ as to

whether the program should be voluntary or mandatory. One consideration is

the cost of implementing an IPM program. IPM prevents pest infestations by

modifying and repairing structures to eliminate the resources pests need

for survival, and this may result in a significant capital expenditure.

However, practical solutions in some school districts have helped alleviate

these high costs. For instance, one Chicago school building was plagued by

yellowjacket wasps that were swarming around a doorway. The insects were

attracted to the garbage dumpster just outside the door. The most

effective, long-term solution was to pour a concrete pad and move the

dumpster 50 feet.

Another school district solved a weed-control problem without incurring any

expense. Groundskeepers had been spraying a herbicide along a fence line

where it was not feasible to mow. The best long-term solution was to dig a

channel, line it with black plastic, and then fill it with gravel. The

gravel was donated, and students supplied the labor as an Earth Day project.

Kamuda says IPM does not cost more, it costs differently.

" Many IPM techniques are just good maintenance practices that we should be

employing anyway and rightfully belong in the maintenance budget, " she says.

To address the issue of funding, TFPCH is proposing legislation that will

create a loan and grant program for Illinois schools. Modeled after the

Illinois recycling loan and grant fund, the program would help schools with

IPM program startup costs.

Establishing a program

There are three keys to a successful IPM program: a written policy, a

knowledgeable coordinator and effective communications. The first key is a

written policy. IPM is doomed to failure without broad understanding and

commitment by all stakeholders, including faculty, staff, board members and

parents. A written policy helps to gain consensus and provides continuity.

Once a policy is in place, someone needs to coordinate the overall program.

Whether the entire program is implemented internally or the majority of the

services are contracted out, it is critical to have a knowledgeable person

on staff. The type of expertise varies according to the level of internal

implementation.

Gwinnett County's is an entomologist by training. With the help of

one full-time technician and one or two college students during the summer,

he provides all pest-control services-except termite pre-treatments in new

buildings-for 80 schools.

But the coordinator does not have to be an entomologist to manage an

effective program. Hinsdale's Kamuda knew very little about pest control

when she decided to adopt IPM. She has developed a simple checklist to

determine the source of the problem. If pesticide application is required,

she enlists the services of a state-certified pest-control operator.

Finally, effective communication is critical to the ongoing success and

commitment to IPM.

" Fruit-fly infestations are usually the result of fruit left in employee

desks or cabinets. A simple announcement by the principal asking teachers

to remove the fruit usually solves the problem, " says Gwinnett County' s

.

Sidebar:

What is IPM?

Dave Shangle, a pest-control specialist in suburban Chicago, says, " IPM is

simply managing pests by managing their environment. " An advocate of IPM

for more than 20 years, Shangle adds that integration means using a variety

of tools, including pesticides.

" Sometimes the safest and most effective tool is a pesticide, " he says.

" But with IPM, pesticide use is always a well-reasoned decision. We don't

automatically grab a spray can. "

There are three simple steps to an effective IPM program:

1. Identify and monitor pests. IPM begins by identifying the pests in and

around school property, and monitoring the level of infestation. Accurate

pest identification is critical. Each pest has a life cycle and certain

environmental needs. Proper identification and monitoring makes it easy to

select the most appropriate, cost-effective control available.

2. Determine the action threshold. The action threshold is the level of

pest infestation and activity that can be tolerated. The threshold for each

pest is determined by the severity of the injury caused by the pest, site

characteristics, health concerns related to the pest and site-user needs.

3. Take action to prevent or control the pest. IPM encourages using the

tool or combination of tools that will create the safest and most- effective

control program. Some of the most commonly used tools include sanitation;

structural repair and maintenance; watering and mowing practices;

pest-resistant plant varieties; and judicious use of pesticides.

Sidebar:

Resources

The University of Florida, Gainesville, has created an IPM website at

www.iffas.ufl.edu. The school administrator section explains IPM, outlines

an implementation plan and provides technical pest-control information, as

well as presentations about IPM and various pests. The site also has an IPM

listserve and links to other sites, including government agencies,

university entomology departments, pest-identification and control

resources, and pest-control associations.

For more pest-related information, call the National Pest Control

Association at (800)678-6722 or visit its website at www.pestworld.org.

Other sources include the local cooperative extension service, and state

departments of agriculture, education and public health.

Copyright 1999 by PRIMEDIA Intertec, a PRIMEDIA Company. All Rights

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A Bug's Life., AS & U, American School & University, 02-01-1999.