Answers to Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Integrated Pest
Management Programs in Maryland Public Schools and on School Grounds
Click on a question below:
Q: How can I obtain a copy of the law or regulations?
Q: What is Integrated Pest Management?
Q: Are antimicrobial products used in a school for cleaning
purposes subject to the School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Pesticide Notification Regulations?
Q:
If bait stations are placed inside of a school building
is the school required to provide 24 hour advance notification to parents/guardians and school staff?
Q:
What should I do if I suspect a school or school system is not complying with the regulations pertaining to IPM
and Notification of pesticide use in a school building or on school grounds?
Q:
Who can a parent, guardian or staff person get information from about the school IPM program and pest control
practices?
Q:
If an emergency pest control application is needed to mitigate or eliminate a pest which threatens the health or
safety of a student or staff member, must the school notify parents/guardians, students, and school staff prior to
the emergency application?
Q:
Is the application of fertilizers to school grounds covered by the Regulations?
Q:
How are parents, guardians and staff made aware of their school system's IPM Program?
Q: Does the use of Sticky Traps (Glue Boards), Snap Traps,
and Pheromone Traps in school buildings or on school grounds require notification or posting?
Q:
What information must the school provide to parents, guardians and staff members prior to a planned pesticide
application or following an emergency pesticide application?
Q: Will the school automatically notify parents, guardians and staff on a pesticide
application: If so how?
Q:
What if notification has been provided for a pesticide application to be made to school
grounds and the pesticide can not be applied due to unfavorable weather conditions?
Q:
If someone other than the school's staff (permitted public agency or licensed pesticide
business) is responsible for pest control in school buildings or on school grounds, who is
responsible for making notification if a pesticide application becomes necessary?
Q: Who can apply pesticides on school property?
Back to top
Q: What is Integrated Pest Management?
A: By definition in Regulations Intergrated Pest Management means a managed pest
control program in which methods are integrated and used to keep pests from causing
economic, health-related, or aesthetic injury through the utilization of site or pest
inspections, pest population monitoring, evaluating the need for control, and the use of
one or more pest control methods, including sanitation, structural repair, nonchemical
methods, and, when nontoxic options are unreasonable or have been exhausted,
pesticides in order to minimize the use of pesticides and minimized the risk to human
health and the environment associated with pesticide applications.
Back to top
Q: Are antimicrobial products used in a school for cleaning
purposes subject to the School Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Pesticide Notification Regulations?
A: No. Any antimicrobial agents, such as disinfectants, sanitizers or deodorizers, used in a
school building for cleaning purposes, by definition are exempt from the regulatory
requirments of the School IPM and Pesticide Notification Regulations.
Back to top
Q: If bait stations are placed inside of a school building
is the school required to provide 24 hour advance notification to parents/guardians and school staff?
A: No. Bait stations are not included in the definition of "pesticide". However, schools must
provide "In-School Notification" to students and staff before a bait station is applied by
putting a sign or notice on the door of the room or primary entrance to the area in which
the bait station is placed. The notice or sign must remain until the bait station is removed.
The sign must include the following information:
- The statement "Caution --- Pesticide Application";
- The common name of the pesticide applied;
- The date the bait station was placed in the room or area; and
- The contact person from whom additional information, including
information on potential adverse effects can be obtained.
Back to top
Q: What should I do if I suspect a school or school system
is not complying with the regulations pertaiing to IPM and Notification of pesticide use in a school building or
on school grounds?
A: The first step is to contact your school system's designated Contact Person. This
individual has been designated by the school board to handle inquires about the school
systems IPM and Notification Program and Procedures. If after contacting the Contact
Person, there is evidence to believe the school or school system is violating regulations,
you should contact the Maryland Department of Agriculture's Pesticide Regulation
Section to report the suspected violation, (410) 841-5710 Voice, (410) 841-2767 Fax. Alternatively
you may go to the
IPM in Schools main page to download a Complaints/Tips Form.
Back to top
Q: Who can a parent, guardian or staff person get
information from about the school IPM program and pest control practices?
A: Each school system designates a Contact Person who keeps information on the IPM
program, pest control practices and pesticide application. The Contact Person is listed
in the notice provided at the beginning of the school year.
Back to top
Q: If an emergency pest control application
is needed to mitigate or eliminate a pest which threatens the health or safety
of a student or staff member, must the school notify parents/guardians, students, and
school staff prior to the emergency application?
A: A pesticide may be applied in a school building or on school grounds without prior
notification only if an emergency pest situation exists. However, following an
emergency application, the school must notify the parents/guardians and school staff
members within 24 hours after an emergency pesticide application, or on the next
school day.
Back to top
Q: Is the application of fertilizers to school
grounds covered by the Regulations?
A: No. Fertilizers are not covered by the Regulations. However, if the fertilizer contains
an herbicide (e.g., Weed and Feed) or insecticide it is a pesticide product and governed by
this Regulation.
Back to top
Q: How are parents, guardians and staff made aware of
their school systems IPM Program?
A: At the beginning of each school year, each school must include a notice of the school's
IPM system in the school calendar or other universal notification. The notice must
include the following:
- A statement that explains the school's IPM system;
- A list of the common name of any pesticide or bait station that may be
used in a school building or on school grounds;
- The name, address, and telephone number of the school contact person;
- A statement that the contact person maintains the product label and
material safety data sheet of each pesticide or bait station used in a
school building or on school grounds.
- A Statement that the:
- Product label or material safety data sheet is available for review by
a parent, guardian, staff member, or student attending the shcool, and
- Contact person is available for information or comment; and
- Instructions for including a parent, guardian, or staff member on a
pesticide notification list (for Middle or High Schools).
After the beginning of the school year, a school shall provide the information above
required information to a:
- Parent or guardian of a newly enrolled student; and
- Newly employed staff member.
Back to top
Q: Does the use of Sticky Traps (Glue Boards), Snap Traps,
and Pheromone Traps in school buildings or on school grounds require notification or posting?
No.
Back to top
Q: What information must the school provide to parents, guardians and staff members prior
to a planned pesticide application or following an emergency pesticide application?
A: The following information must be provided:
- Common name of the pesticide applied;
- Location of the application;
- Date and time of the application;
- The following statement "The Office of Pesticide Programs of the United
States Environmental Protection Agency has stated: 'Where possible,
persons who potentially are more sensitive, such as pregnant women and
infants (less than 2 years old), should avoid any unnecessary pesticide
exposure";
- A brief description, approved by the Department, of potential adverse
effects, based upon the material safety data sheet of the pesticide applied;
and
- Reason for the emergency application, if applicable.
Back to top
Q: Will the school automatically notify parents, guardians and staff on a pesticide
application: If so how?
A: For pesticide applications made to an elementary school buildings or grounds, the
school is required to provide notify parents, guardians and staff by a written notice sent
home with each student or provided to each staff member, at least 24 hours prior to a
pesticide application or within 24 hours after or on the next school day for emergency
applications.
For pesticide applications made to middle school or high school buildings or on school
grounds, the school is required to develop a list of parents, guardians and staff
members who wish to receive notification of pesticide applications. The school may
provide notification by a written notice sent home with the student or provided to the
staff member, a telephone call, direct contact, or a written notice mailed at least 3 days
before the application. A county board of education may elect to provide information to
each parent, guardian and staff member (universal notification) for middle school and
high schools.
Back to top
Q: What if notification has been provided for a pesticide application to be made to school
grounds and the pesticide can not be applied due to unfavorable weather conditions?
A: The notification for a planned date and time of application for school grounds can
specify that weather conditions or other extenuating circumstances may cause the actual
date of application of application to be postponed to a later date or dates. If the
actual date of application is more than 14 days later than the planned date provided in the notice,
notice of the application required under this regulation shall be reissued.
Back to top
Q: If someone other than the school's staff (permitted public agency or licensed pesticide
business) is responsible for pest control in school buildings or on school grounds, who is
responsible for making notification if a pesticide application becomes necessary?
A: The school must make the notification. A licensee, permittee, or certificate holder may
not apply a pesticide in a school building or on school grounds until the notification is
provided in accordance with the regulations.
Back to top
Q: Who can apply pesticides on school property?
A: Only a certified applicator or a registered employee, working under the supervision of a
certified applicator, may apply a pesticide in a school building or on school grounds.
Back to top
