Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

New Hanover County Schools (NHCS) utilizes an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for controlling insects, rodents, and weeds. The IPM approach focuses on making the school buildings and grounds an unfavorable place for pests to live and breed. Through maintenance and cleaning, we reduce or eliminate available food and water sources and hiding places for the pests. 

We routinely monitor the school area to detect pest problems and prevent the pests from becoming established.  Some IPM techniques we employ include monitoring, increased sanitation, sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, and modifying storage practices.

At times, it may be necessary to use chemicals to control a pest problem.  Chemicals will not be routinely applied and will only be used when absolutely necessary.  Access to the treated areas will be secured against unauthorized access for the period specified on the pesticide label.  Notices will be posted at application sites and will remain there until the posted safe re-entry time is met.  Any pesticides that must be applied in the school will be applied by a licensed pest control company or licensed school personnel and will be monitored by your school IPM Coordinator. 

Pest Management Objectives

• Manage pests that may be found on site to prevent interference with the work or learning environment.

• Minimize any potential health, environmental, and economic risks from pests or from the use of pest control methods.

• Minimize loss or damage to school structures or property from pests or from the use of pest control methods.

• Minimize the risk of pests spreading into the community.

• Enhance the quality of facility use for the school and community.

A pesticide contractor or staff member, certified/licensed in a manner approved by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and selected in an appropriate process, will be responsible for initial inspections.  This will include an inspection of both the interior and the exterior of the facility for pest activity and conditions conducive to pests. Findings are to be kept in a Pest Sighting Log.  To note pest activity, recorded information will include actual sightings of pests and such evidence of pests as cast skins, dropping, or damage.  Information recorded relative to conditions conducive to pests existence will include sanitation problems, moisture sources, and areas where pests may enter buildings.   

The selected pesticide contractor  or licensed staff member monitors activities.  The monitoring program includes placement of sticky traps designed for cockroaches and other crawling insects along wall/floor junctions, on vertical surfaces, behind appliances, in closets and cabinets, on shelves, and other areas where insects have been seen.  

Evaluation procedures for the IPM program will include a periodic review of the inspection reports and Pest Sighting Log to observe increases or decreases in pest activity and any correlation’s between such changes and pest management action taken.  Results will be compared with the pest management objectives.  If necessary, the program will be altered to better achieve the objectives.

NHCS IPM Policy