ECB-E1 Pest Management Notification

PEST MANAGEMENT NOTIFICATION

The South Portland School Department uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to the control of insects, rodents, microorganisms, weeds and other pests in school buildings and on school grounds. IPM combines a variety of methods for managing pests including monitoring, improved sanitation and food storage practices, pest exclusion and removal, biological control, and pesticides. The objective of the IPM program is to provide effective pest control while minimizing pesticide use.
Pesticides
Non-chemical pest management methods will be implemented whenever possible. However, sometimes pesticide use may be necessary to control a pest problem. When that happens, the school will use the least hazardous effective pesticide feasible.

Notification
When required by law, parents/guardians and school staff will be notified at least five days* in advance of specific pesticide applications. When required by law, pesticide application notices will be posted in school and on school grounds.

Notification need not be given for pesticide applications recognized by law or regulations to pose little or no risk of exposure to students or staff.

A copy of the school system’s IPM/Pest Management policy is available for review in the school office. The school also keeps records of prior pesticide applications and the pesticides used. You may review these records, a copy of the policy and Maine’s “Pesticides in Schools” regulation (Chapter 27 of the Department of Agriculture Board of Pesticides Control “Standards for Pesticide Applications and Public Notification in Schools”) by contacting our IPM Coordinator in the maintenance office: 871-0565

For further information about pests, pesticides and notification you may contact the Board of Pesticides Control at 207-287-2731 or go to www.state.me.us/ agriculture/pesticides/schoolipm

Revised: October 15, 2003