Why use IPM in Schools?

Pests infesting public schools and childcare facilities, as well as the unrestricted use 
of pesticides to control pests, may potentially expose children to health risks. 
Research shows that children are more sensitive to pesticide exposure than adults. 
Their growing bodies take in more food and water per pound of body weight than 
do adults. Also, young children are more likely to encounter pesticide residues by 
crawling, exploring, or hand-to-mouth activity. Because kids spend so much time 
in schools and childcare facilities, it just makes sense to reduce their potential 
exposure to pesticides as much as possible.

IPM programs are more effective than routine pesticide sprays because they 
take into account pest biology and behavior and utilize every available strategy to 
limit pest populations. The effectiveness of pesticide treatments depends upon 
other factors such as the level of sanitation and the exclusion practices in place. 
When all of the components of IPM are used, the need for pesticide treatments 
is greatly reduced.

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