The Southern York County School District uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for managing insects, rodents, and weeds.  Our goal is to protect every student from pesticide exposure by using an IPM approach to pest management.  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 buildings and grounds to detect any pests that are present.  Pest sightings are reported to the IPM coordinator who evaluates the problem and determines the appropriate measures to take.  The techniques can include increasing sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, etc.

From time to time, it may be necessary to use pesticides registered by the Environmental Protection Agency to manage a pest problem.  A pesticide is only used when necessary and is not routinely applied. Pesticide applications are made only when unauthorized persons do not have access to the area(s) being treated. Notices are posted in these areas 72 hours prior to application and for two days following. All applicators are trained and certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school may request notification of specific pesticide applications made at the school. To receive notification, you must be placed on the School District’s notification registry. If you would like to be placed on this registry, please notify the IPM Manager’s office in writing. Please include your e-mail address if you would like to be notified electronically.

If a pesticide application must be made to control an emergency pest problem, notice will be provided by telephone to any parent or guardian who has requested such notification in writing. 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.