The US Environment Protection Agency (EPA)
has produced a booklet promoting reduced use of chemical pesticides in schools
and their replacement by Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. The
booklet assumes that readers are aware of the potential hazards from pesticide
use, particularly where children are present, so moves straight into a brief and
clear explanation of IPM.
The seven step programme recommends adopting a policy
statement, and designating personnel to implement the policy and setting pest
management objectives. It suggests monitoring sites and pest populations and
setting action thresholds. It recommends IPM techniques, and an evaluation of
the results. The EPA believes that all insect, weed and mammalian pests of
buildings, turf and gardens can be controlled using IPM. The exercise is
educational, environment friendly and could save money in the long term.
The booklet is readable, with entertaining graphics. It could
serve as a useful model for national or local authorities and individual schools
wishing to develop IPM.
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Pest Control in the School Environment: Adopting Integrated Pest Management, EPA, Washington DC, August 1993
[This article first appeared in Pesticides News No. 23, March 1994, page 21]