Successful pest control has relied on the basic concepts of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) since human beings first attempted to protect their health and property from pests. In 1955 the National Pest Control Association produced one of the first manuals that dealt with the various steps involved in IPM as we define it today.

The rapid development of the modern residual pesticides during World War II made pest control very effective, very economical, and very easy to accomplish. The use of these residual pesticides was so effective that in many instances when problems did occur, or clients demanded an even more total elimination of pests, the answer was to simply use more pesticides. There have been two consequences of this trend of accelerating pesticide usage. In a few instances "super" pests have appeared that are resistant to common pesticides. Additionally, a growing segment of our population has become alarmed over the possibility that adverse health effects of this trend might occur.

In the past five decades the research and development work done by chemical manufacturers and the research done by governmental agencies and universities has greatly increased the knowledge of the biology and habits of pests. As this body of knowledge grew, our ability to control the pests increased dramatically. Today, this expansion of our current knowledge allows us to control pests more effectively while using minimum amounts of pesticides. An objective of this manual is to address both of these issues as they may impact schools.

Definition of IPM
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in schools involves the cooperation between school staff and pest control personnel or other specialists to use a variety of nonchemical methods as well as pesticides, when needed, to reduce pest infestations to acceptable levels and to minimize children's exposure to pesticides. As defined by the Structural Pest Control Act (225 ILCS 235/3.24) IPM is a pest management system that includes the following elements whenever possible:

• identifying pests and their natural enemies;
• establishing an ongoing monitoring and record keeping system for regular sampling and assessment of pest and natural enemy populations;
• determining the pest population levels that can be tolerated on aesthetic, economic and health concerns, and setting action thresholds where pest populations or environmental conditions warrant remedial action;
• preventing pest problems through improved sanitation, management of waste, addition of physical barriers, and the modification of habitats that attract or harbor pests;
• reliance to the greatest extent possible on nontoxic, biological, cultural or mechanical pest management methods, or on the use of natural control agents;
• when necessary the use of chemical pesticides, with preference for products that are the least harmful to human health and the environment; and
• record keeping and reporting of pest populations, surveillance techniques and remedial actions taken.

Advantages of IPM

• Detects, identifies, and manages a potential pest problem before it becomes a major infestation.
• Reduces the use of pesticides or other repeated responses to minor pest problems by evaluating the need for such efforts in a given pest situation.
• Reduces the potential liability from parents concerned about exposure of their children to pesticides in the schools.
• Achieves "long-term" control of some pests through improved sanitary practices and structural modification to "build out" pests rather than through sole reliance on the routine use of short-lived pesticides.
• Provides a written record of all pest activities observed in the school during the program and a detailed account of how any problems were handled.

Disadvantages of IPM

• Requires greater time and commitment of all participants: school staff, pest control technicians or other specialists.
• Requires additional paperwork and communication by both school staff and pest control personnel to help produce a more directed and balanced pest control program.
• May require ongoing training so that proper cooperation continues between school staff and pest control personnel.

Costs of IPM

An IPM program may require additional labor for more inspections by the pest control technician. Additionally, implementing nonchemical control procedures, such as building modifications or repairs, monitoring and evaluation efforts, and procedural changes in daily routines may result in increased costs. However, improvement of the physical condition of the school may result in savings in other areas, such as improved energy efficiency for heating and/or cooling.

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