MADISON, Wisc. — Joining a growing trend of states instituting IPM policies for public schools, officials from the State of Wisconsin have issued a School Integrated Pest Management Manual.
Produced by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture's Trade and Consumer Protection Division and the University of Wisconsin Extension, the manual is designed to "help schools start an Integrated Pest Management program," the manual states. Also according the manual's introduction, the document, "describes the essential elements of integrated pest management, contains information on establishing an IPM policy at your school, and contains suggestions on how to deal with common school pest problems."
The manual covers areas such as, outdoor vertebrate management, outdoor turf management and indoor pest management, including a section titled "Things to consider when hiring a professional pest control operator."
The manual is the result of a program originated in 1997 to develop effective pest management strategies that would "reduce the potential for pesticide exposure to children and staff."
The entire manual can be read online at ipcm.wisc.edu.