A Safer Way To Keep Schools Pest Free; Stop School Pests Launches Free Online Courses

Posted on December 15, 2017 by rhallberg

Stop School Pests, a new online training program, is now available to school employees across the United States and beyond at www.StopSchoolPests.com. The training will help schools reduce pest complaints, pesticide use, and pest-related costs, and improve food and fire safety by teaching staff how to prevent pest problems before they occur.

Students spend a major part of each day in school – on average 30 hours each week. Exposure to pests and pesticides can create an unhealthy school environment. Mice and cockroaches can cause or trigger asthma attacks and allergies. Similarly, an over-reliance on pesticides can lead school employees and children to be exposed unnecessarily to dangerous chemicals. Continue reading →

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School IPM News: IPM Symposium and Stop School Pests

Posted on November 13, 2017 by rhallberg

Join us in March 2018 at the 9th International IPM Symposium in Baltimore for our School IPM Meet and Greet on March 20th at 5pm! This event is for anyone attending the Symposium who is interested in IPM in schools and wants to network with other school IPM professionals or learn about current issues and new resources. For more information or if you wish to attend this event please email us! Continue reading →

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New AgriLife Extension Service graphic guides target school pests

Posted on September 21, 2017 by rhallberg

by Gabe Saldana, Texas A&M AgriLife

Three new infographics and two detailed publications from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service help demystify the best practices for controlling pests in schools, universities and other areas where humans occupy close quarters.

“The average person, while not a pest control expert, is definitely affected when an infestation occurs,” said Janet Hurley, AgriLife Extension specialist in school integrated pest management, Dallas. “That means the average person is integral to controlling pests, especially where large groups of people converge.” Continue reading →

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Video: Challenges in School IPM

Posted on December 1, 2016 by rhallberg

Growers and consultants on the farm typically use integrated pest management to save money and prevent unneeded pesticide applications. In schools, however, IPM is seen as “extra” expenses and work. As Auburn University Extension Specialist Lawrence C. “Fudd” Graham explains, school IPM is an ongoing challenge in every state, including in those that have active laws.

School IPM videoIn this video of his presentation to the Southern IPM Center Advisory Council, Dr. Graham explains how pest management in a school differs from pest management on a farm. In schools, he says, IPM is successful only if staff, administration, teachers and students contribute. And when schools are well-maintained and clean, pest complaints decrease and food safety ratings increase. Continue reading →

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Online IPM Resources to assist IPM Professionals with their Programs

Posted on October 31, 2016 by rhallberg

by Janet Hurley, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

In 2014, a number of collaborating institutions led by Dawn Gouge, University of Arizona and Janet Hurley , Texas A&M AgriLife Extension received two separate grants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide online resources on integrated pest management (IPM) for school personnel. The Stop School Pests team used their grant to focus on education and training for personnel, while Hurley and collaborating scientists created a one-stop online “big box store” of IPM resources, including documents, training, pest ID pamphlets, state legislation and more.

The training website, Stop School Pests (stopschoolpests.org), resulted from a collaboration of 42 people from federal and state agencies, universities, school districts, tribes, advocacy organizations and industry. Together they proposed to build a resource that would increase IPM adoption in K-12 schools and reduce the risks from pests and repeated pesticide use. Continue reading →

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Two new online resources provide a wealth of information on managing pests in schools

Posted on June 6, 2016 by rhallberg

Three years ago, the principal at John McDonogh High School in New Orleans knew he needed help with multiple pest problems at the school but wasn’t sure where to start. Now two websites exist that provide any school personnel with materials on how to use integrated pest management to handle a pest problem.

In 2014, Dawn Gouge at the University of Arizona and Janet Hurley at Texas A&M AgriLife received two separate grants from the Environmental Protection Agency to provide online resources on integrated pest management for school personnel. Gouge used her grant to focus on education and training for personnel, while Hurley planned a one-stop online “big box store” of IPM resources, including documents, training, pest ID pamphlets, state legislation and more. Continue reading →

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Stop School Pests and iSchool Pest Manager webinar

Posted on May 5, 2016 by rhallberg

When:  Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Time:  2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time (US and Canada)

Join the Center of Expertise for School IPM as we get a sneak-peek at two new, free, online school IPM resources.

Dr. Dawn Gouge of the University of Arizona will describe the Stop School Pests program, a standardized, peer-reviewed, national IPM training program for school communities. Training materials include online and in-class teaching materials for all school community groups including administrators, facility managers, pest management professionals, IPM coordinators, landscape and grounds staff, custodians, maintenance staff, nurses, food service staff and teachers. Proficiency exams allow students to print certificates upon successful completion of the courses. Continue reading →

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