School IPM Program

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What is IPM?

Integrated pest management (IPM) is a common-sense, sustainable approach to preventing and managing pests. IPM enables schools to manage pests through regular pest monitoring, effective communication, good facilities management practices, and combinations of smart effective tactics including pest traps, good property management practices, and selective use of chemicals when needed.

With IPM, schools can protect human health and the environment while saving money. More: An Ounce of Prevention Brochure (PDF).

IPM is the 'standard of practice' for pest prevention and management in buildings and grounds to protect people and promote academic success.

Maine Schools are Required to Use IPM. All Maine schools, both public and private, are required to adopt IPM policies and practices and appoint an IPM coordinator. A quick guide to Maine's school IPM requirements - Maine School IPM Brochure (PDF).

IPM Basics

  • Be prepared. What pests can you expect and how can you avoid them? Learn which tactics work—and under which conditions—if pests show up in school buildings, playgrounds and athletic fields.
  • Think prevention. Keep pests out with sealants, door-sweeps, and screens; keep it clean and dry--inside and out; keep plants and lawns healthy to resist pests
  • Stay alert. Scout routinely, keeping tabs on potential pests. Know your threshold—the point when a few pests become a few too many.
  • Choose and use. Choose tactics and tools for the best results that protect children, staff and visitors--and Maine's valuable natural resources, too--while staying within budget. Whatever option you settle on—do it right! Plan carefully, make smart choices, and keep records!
  • Evaluate. How did it work? How much has the situation changed? What did you learn? What is left to learn?

For the IPM Coordinator

For the Administrator

Required

Additional Resources

For the Teacher

For the Parent

For the School Nurse

Maine College IPM Programs

While the Maine School IPM Regulations (Chapter 27) only apply to public and private K-12 schools in Maine, we encourage colleges to implement IPM programs as well, and many of the resources on this website can help in developing a program at your college. Some important pieces to keep in mind:

Example College IPM Plans & Resources
The following plans and resources may help guide colleges while developing an IPM plan