Success Stories
School Bug Battles
Cindy Wilson, principal of Sherwood Elementary School in Central Florida, had a huge pest problem at her school before she joined the UF/IFAS pilot program for School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) taught by researchers and Extension agents. Now her school is nearly pest-free.
Every school has pests that threaten the health of its staff and students. Cockroaches and their dander are a leading cause of allergic reactions and asthma attacks among children. Ants and other stinging insects are a pain, and some people are allergic to them--sometimes fatally so.
But the pesticides used to control these insects aren’t tested on children, so no one knows how their use in schools could affect young people. The UF/IFAS School IPM Program reduces pests and pesticide usage, while helping schools save money.
The program shows school officials, teachers, and custodial staff simple preemptive steps, like reducing clutter, keeping food out of classrooms, and keeping up with routine maintenance, like sealing gaps in doors and windows. These important IPM practices not only exclude insect pests but also help control rodent infestations.
The School IPM Program also teaches licensed pest management professionals when during the day it is best to apply pesticide baits. It also trains them in insect monitoring and identification to ensure the most accurate application of these controls. These techniques maximize the effect of the pesticides and minimize the risk to students.
The pilot program was tested in three schools in Brevard County; all three showed dramatic decreases in pest problems and pesticide usage. Sherwood Elementary, Wilson’s school, saw an 85 to 90 percent drop in pest sightings. Other schools saw a 50 percent drop in the number of pest sightings and a 50 percent reduction in the use of pesticides. The UF/IFAS School IPM program is expanding to pilot schools in six other counties this year.
To learn more about the program, visit the School IPM Web site.
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