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Nita Davidson, Ph.D.

Nita Davidson, Ph.D. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in California Schools. www.schoolipm.info. Hungry?. IPM in California Schools. What’s the Healthy Schools Act? Are pesticides really that scary? Why is pest management in schools challenging? What is IPM?

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Nita Davidson, Ph.D.

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  1. Nita Davidson, Ph.D. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in California Schools www.schoolipm.info

  2. Hungry?

  3. IPM in California Schools • What’s the Healthy Schools Act? • Are pesticides really that scary? • Why is pest management in schools challenging? • What is IPM? • How can we achieve source reduction of pesticides (i.e., implement IPM)? • Argentine ants

  4. The Healthy Schools Act (AB 2260) • Legislation signed into law September 2000 • Right-to-know law • Public schools (K–12) • Voluntary law with mandatory components—IPM is voluntary • Provisions in both the Education Code and the Food & Agricultural Code

  5. Are pesticides really that scary?

  6. Putting Pesticides in Perspective—Other Risks Exist, Too! • Faulty playground equipment • School bus accidents • Weapons on school grounds • Creepy-crawly critters—stings, bites, transmission of pathogens, broken ankles • Toxics—molds; asbestos; xylene; formaldehyde; lead; bus diesel; contamination of air, water & soil; pesticides

  7. Other toxic substances: Children are exposed to solvents, trans fats, antibiotics, artificial ingredients

  8. Some Pests Pose Risks to Human Health • Cockroaches—asthma • Stinging insects—dermatitis, phobias, anaphylaxis • Gophers—broken ankles Rats & mice—salmonella, hantavirus,plagueandother pathogens

  9. The scorched earth approach • Eradicate creepy crawly critters (often reactive rather than preventive) • Use liquids that offer quick knockdown • Use perimeter sprays or cover a large area to ensure a no-pest zone

  10. RISK= Toxicity x Exposure • Acute (Immediate) Effects—Variety of toxic effects and chemical burns • Delayed (Chronic) Effects—Tumors, cancer, birth defects, blood and nervous system disorders • Allergic Effects—Asthma; skin, eye & lung irritation; multiple chemical sensitivity

  11. Are all pesticides scary? Exempt from HSA requirements • Self-contained baits or traps • Gels or pastes used as crack-and-crevice treatments • Exempted materials—FIFRA 25(b): many essential oils • Antimicrobials—sanitizers & disinfectants Baits good; perimeter and broadcast sprays bad!

  12. Personal choice does not always make scary pesticides safe • Insecticidal chalk • Exempt pesticides not used according to label directions

  13. What are some barriers that complicate adoption of IPM?

  14. Diverse habitats • 1,000 school districts: from LAUSD to one-room school-houses • Older buildings—although newer ones aren’t pest-proof! • Lack of communication within bureaucracy • Other priorities • Lack of money, training, motivation

  15. Communication! • Superintendents, administrators • Business managers • Risk managers • Maintenance directors, custodians, grounds staff • Pest control operators • Food service • Teachers • Students & parents

  16. Schools provide an ideal environment for pests • Weedy―Argentine ants, gophers, pigeons • Many generations per year • Many offspring • Good hiders―cockroaches • Well adapted to school environments― yellowjackets, weeds

  17. Creatures Typical of School Buildings, Landscape, & Turf • Argentine ants • Cockroaches • Rodentsmice, rats, gophers • Pigeons and other birds • Weeds • Yellowjackets

  18. What is IPM? IPM = A decision-making strategy that focuses on long-term prevention of pests • Inspect for pest and correctly identify; monitor for pest activity; keep records! • Eliminate sources of food, water, and shelter—use exclusion methods (maintenance) and sanitation. • Use non-chemical practices and chemical controls that pose the least possible hazard (low toxicity + minimal exposure). • Routine perimeter spraying is not IPM!

  19. Argentine Ants • Supercolonies—no inter-colony aggression • Displace native ants • Billions and billions—don’t even think about eradication! • Favorite food—honeydew • Food exchange through trophallaxis ( use baits!) Emile Zeck

  20. Conventional Control Use perimeter sprays outdoors regularly Spray indoors with liquids and aerosols IPM Monitor trees and shrubs for honeydew—reduce population in spring Sanitation! Eliminate food & water sources Exclusion—seal cracks Use baits (many active ingredients available) Clean up stragglers, but avoid using aerosols Argentine Ants—Management Strategies

  21. Argentine Ants—Management Strategies Sanitation Indoors • Get teachers and students to clean up classroom after they eat • Empty waste baskets daily Outdoors • Regularly sweep or steam clean outdoor lunch areas • Clean garbage cans regularly

  22. Argentine AntsManagement Strategies  Exclusion(= maintenance practices) Indoors • Seal openings around potential ant runways (e.g., electrical conduits) • Seal cracks, install weather stripping Outdoors • Keep vegetation away from structures • Apply tanglefoot around plants that attract ants (when practical)

  23. Take-home messages • HSA―Right-to-know law; IPM voluntary • Pesticides―not all equal; some are necessary to use • Perimeter & broadcast sprays bad • Use less toxic pesticides & minimize exposure • IPM  cleaner, better-maintained schools • Several barriers prevent instant adoption of IPM, but IPM is achievable • IPM is a sustainable way to solve pest problems

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