Integrated Pest Management
The Tyrone Area School District uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for managing insects, rodents and weeds. Our IPM approach focuses on making the school building and grounds an unfavorable habitat for these pests by removing food and water sources and eliminating their hiding and breeding places. We accomplish this through routine cleaning and maintenance. We routinely monitor the school building and grounds to detect any pest that are present. The pest monitoring team consists of our building maintenance, office and teaching staff and includes our students. Pest sightings are reported to our IPM coordinator and pest control contractor who evaluates the “pest problem” and determines the appropriate pest management techniques to address the problem. The techniques can include increased sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, etc.
From time to time, it may be necessary to use chemicals to control a pest problem. Chemicals will only be used when necessary and will not be routinely applied. When chemicals are used, the school will try to use the least toxic products when possible. Applications will be made only when unauthorized persons do not have access to the area(s) being treated. Notices will be posted in these areas 72 hours prior to application and for two days following the applications. The primary chemicals used at the district are dimension and three way herbicide (Round Up), which are used to treat lawn areas for weeds. Pesticide applications are primarily done when school is in not in session.
Parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school may request prior notification of specific pesticide applications made at the school. To receive notification, you must be placed on the school’s notification registry. If you would like to be placed on this registry, please complete and return the Notification Registry Form.
If a chemical application must be made to control an emergency pest problem, notice will be provided to any parent or guardian who has requested such notification. Exemptions to this notification include disinfectants and antimicrobial products; self-containerized baits placed in areas not accessible to students and gel type baits placed in cracks, crevices or voids; swimming pool maintenance chemicals.
Each year the District will prepare a new notification registry. If you have an address change during the school year, it will be your responsibility to advise the IPM Coordinator in writing of the address change.
If you have any questions, please contact Travis Crowell, 701 Clay Ave., Tyrone, PA 16686, IPM Coordinator.