Challenges to Implementing Integrated Pest Management in Schools: What We Have Learned From Field Visits

Abstract

This study documents the findings of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 2 Pesticides Program field visits to assess the pest management practices in three large urban school districts in New York and New Jersey, multiple suburban districts in these same states, one tribal area, and one U.S. territory. New Jersey has a law mandating school Integrated Pest Management (IPM) implementation, while New York State has a voluntary school IPM program. This study contributes to answering the questions: how do the pest management practices in school districts in states with or without school IPM legislation compare? Has state legislation impacted pest management practices? What are some of the impediments to implementing school IPM?