Child Safety

These days school administrators face tough questions about pesticide use in schools. However, pest control in the school environment must strike a delicate balance between controlling pests and minimizing pesticide use. The presence of pests in schools can be annoying and distrupt the learning environment. Some pests bite, sting, or even cause allergic responses.

Photo of Playground at school

Traditionally, applications of pesticide have been the primary method of controlling these pests, yet whenever a pesticide is applied in a school, there is potential for human exposure. Children are more susceptible to pesticides because of their small body size. Also, their behavior at play is more likely to bring them into contact with pesticide residues. The Virginia School IPM program seeks to reduce pesticide residues in the environment and eliminate the potential for children to contact pesticide residues. Thus, IPM reduces exposure risk.