The Ohio State University

Home LandscapeNotes The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has written a standard for developing and implementing integrated pest management (IPM) for non-agriculture uses. This includes schools, pesticide businesses or others conducting IPM activities.

The standard defines what components must be included in an IPM program. It outlines the need for a comprehensive site assessment; measures for pest prevention, elimination or control; monitoring; evaluation and other items. Businesses, individuals and agencies promoting IPM in non-agricultural settings must administer IPM according to the standard. The standard applies to IPM in buildings, residences, schools, turf areas, parks, sports turf, etc. The standard is in Ohio Administrative Code and is available at: Ohio IPM

ODA ISSUES PESTICIDE USE IN SCHOOL RULE

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has written a standard for structural pesticide use in schools that is in Ohio Administrative Code. The standard is meant to prevent exposure of children and others to pesticides in schools. It limits sprays to times when people are not present in the treatment areas and requires posting for certain applications. Schools are required to have a notification policy and keep records of pesticide applications at the school.

The pesticides addressed in the rule are for structural pests of school building, including perimeter control. The Pesticide Use in Schools rule can be viewed at: Ohio Schools

FYI. The IPM standard applies to turf. The pesticide use in schools only applies to pesticide use for structural pests not turf applications but would apply for "perimeter pest" control that falls under 10A category.

Posted by Joanne Kick-Raack