This public document was printed at a cost of $3,000.00. In thisprinting, 66,000 copies were produced at a total cost of$3,000.00. This document was produced by Department ofHealth and Hospitals/Bureau of Media & Communications,P.O. Box 3234, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3234. It wasprinted in accordance with standards for printing byState Agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43:31.

This publication was created by the LouisianaDepartment of Health & Hospitals, Office ofPublic Health, the Louisiana EnvironmentalAction Network and the Louisiana Departmentof Agriculture & Forestry.

An IPM plan is a school’splan of how it will preventand control pest problems.IPM plans shall be available in thebusiness office of each school for reviewby the general public.

What needs to be included in aschool’s IPM plan?

For each pesticide that a schoolproposes to use, the following mustbe listed:

Brand name and EPA number ofthe pesticide, type of pesticide(restricted or general use pesticide),pest to be controlled, and the type(e.g., crack and crevice, spottreatment) and location (e.g., gym,cafeteria) of each application.Other methods of pest control (e.g.,cut grass, glue boards, traps).Name & certification number ofcertified commercial applicator(s).

Changes to an IPM plan require writtennotification to Louisiana Department ofAgriculture & Forestry (LDAF) at least 24hours prior to any pesticide application.

What are the record keepingrequirements?

Records of inspections, pest identi-fication, monitoring, evaluations, andall pesticide applications shall bemaintained by the school. Copies ofpesticide application records from theprevious year must be submitted withthe annual IPM plan each year byAugust 1 to LDAF.

Who can apply pesticides onschool grounds?

All pesticide applications (e.g., sprayingaerosols to kill wasps, applying granulesto fire ant mounds, chemical weedcontrol) must be done by certifiedapplicators or trained persons workingunder the supervision of a certifiedapplicator. Schools may either contractwith pest control companies, or theymay use school employees who areappropriately certified.

When can pesticides be applied?

Pesticides can only be applied insideschool buildings when students are notexpected to be present for at least eighthours after the application.

Can aerial applicatorsmake pesticide applicationsnear schools?

Aerial applicators are not allowedto apply pesticides within 1,000 feetof any school grounds during normalschool hours.

Are schools required to identifystudents who are sensitiveto pesticides?

Yes, all schools must maintain aHypersensitive Registry. The registryshall contain the names of studentswhose parents have submitted awritten statement to the school statingthat their child is hypersensitive topesticides.

What State Agency isresponsible for enforcing theLouisiana Pesticide Law?

LDAF enforces regulations concerningschool pesticide safety.

Contact Information

Department of Agriculture& Forestry

Office of Agricultural& Environmental Sciences

Pesticide & EnvironmentalPrograms

24-Pesticide Hotline:(225) 925-3763

Website: www.ldaf.state.la.us

Department of Health & HospitalsOffice of Public Health

Environmental Epidemiology& Toxicology

Toll-free Number:(888) 293-7020

Website: www.oph.dhh.louisiana.gov

Louisiana Environmental ActionNetwork

Telephone Number:(225) 928-1315

Website: www.leanweb.org

EnvironmentalProtection Agency

Website: www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm

The Louisiana Pesticide Law regulatesthe use of pesticides in schools. Thetypes of pesticides commonly used byschools include insecticides, herbicides,fungicides, and rodenticides. The purposeof the law is to protect children and schoolstaff from exposure to pesticides usedin and around schools. The lawencourages schools to use IntegratedPest Management (IPM).

What is Integrated PestManagement (IPM)?

IPM relies on information about the lifecycle of pests and their interaction withthe environment. “Pests seek habitatsthat provide basic needs such as air,moisture, food, and shelter. Pestpopulations can be prevented orcontrolled by creating inhospitableenvironments, by removing some basicelements pests need to survive or simplyby blocking their access into buildings”(Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)). The goal of IPM is to reduce oreliminate the use of pesticides by usingnon-chemical and least-toxic pestmanagement methods.

What are some examplesof IPM strategies?

Eliminate pest habitats by keepingvegetation, shrubs, and mulch atleast one foot away from structures;Prevent pest entry intobuildings by installing orrepairing screens andcaulking and sealingopenings in walls;Eliminate mold and fungigrowth by keeping bathrooms asdry as possible;Practice sanitation by regularlyemptying trashcans and properlycleaning up after eating.

What schools are affected bythe Louisiana Pesticide Law?

The Louisiana Pesticide Law applies toall public and private elementary andsecondary schools (K-12) in Louisiana.

What are the requirements ofthe Louisiana Pesticide Law?

The governing authority of each schoolshall prepare for each school under itsauthority an annual IPM plan.

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