Ayer Community School
Indoor Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan
21A Washington Street
Ayer, MA 01432

IPM Coordinator
Susan Napper

Primary Contact
Susan Napper, 978-772-1234, ayercommunityschool@verizon.net

By signing the end of this indoor IPM plan, the IPM coordinator, Susan Napper, of this Daycare and the Pest Management Professionals described above acknowledge, and agree to the terms of this INDOOR integrated pest management plan.


A .INTRODUCTION

    In compliance with the Act Protecting Children and Families from Harmful Pesticides, Ayer Community School on 4/13/2010 1:28:00 PM has prepared the following indoor IPM plan. By centralizing all of the information about this facility’s pest management practices the plan serves as a guide to direct this facility’s IPM coordinator,  Susan Napper , about pest control and pesticide use.

    This plan describes the pest management practices for indoor areas of the Ayer Community School and clearly states it’s pesticide use policies.

    A copy of the plan has been filed with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and at least one printed copy must be kept on site and made available to the public upon request.

    Objectives
    The objectives of the integrated pest management program conducted at the Ayer Community School are listed below.

  •  
    		• Reduce children’s exposure to pesticides and pesticide residues whenever possible.
  •  
    		• Manage pests that may occur on facilities to prevent interference with the learning environment of the students.
  •  
    		• Provide the safest playing or athletic surfaces possible.

    In light of these objectives, the Ayer Community School has selected the following as it’s IPM policy statement:


B.POLICY STATEMENT

    Structural and landscape pests can pose significant problems for people and property. Pesticides can pose risks to people, property, and the environment. It is therefore the policy of this school to incorporate Integrated Pest Management (IPM) procedures for control of structural and landscape pests. The objective of this program is to provide necessary pest control while minimizing pesticide use.


C.IPM COMMITTEE

    The tasks set before an IPM committee are to:

  •  
    		• Develop an IPM plan. The IPM plan is in essence, a document that describes the organization and implementation of IPM on school grounds.
  •  
    		• Evaluate progress of the IPM program.
  •  
    		• Communicate about IPM - Facilitate communication within the school about IPM practices.
  •  
    		• Assist in development of contract specifications.
  •  
    		• Provide notification to parents about pesticide use.

    The INDOOR committee members selected for the Ayer Community School are listed below:
    1) Susan Napper (Indoor IPM Coordinator)
    2) Susan Napper
    3) Martha  Pierce


D. COMMUNICATING IPM WITHIN THE FACILITY

    The Pest Management Professional communicates with the IPM coordinator of the facility. The IPM coordinator then passes this information along to all the staff members.

    Staff/Students communicate with their supervisors or teachers who then pass information onto the IPM coordinator.


E. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF FACILITY OCCUPANTS & STAFF

  • All employees will receive IPM training.
  • Training will cover pest-reporting procedures and pest prevention strategies, such as sanitation.
  • Training will be offered at the first monthly staff meeting of the school year. Annual reminders will be sent after first training.
  • The director will present the training annually to all staff members at the first monthly staff meeting of the school year or send reminders as needed.
  • Students must eat lunches only within designated areas of the school. When students eat outside, they may eat at the picnic tables and all trash will be disposed of immediately.


F. INDOOR MONITORING

    The IPM committee will evaluate the plan annually. When pests are present, Ayer Community School has chosen an INDOOR monitoring schedule that consists of daily inspections. When pests are absent the INDOOR monitoring schedule will consist of semimonthly inspections.

    The following technique will be used to monitor for pests:  Reports from facility personnel (pest reporting forms) would prompt the IPM coordinator to contact the facility’s Pest Management Professional who would then conduct a facility audit.


G. COURSE OF ACTION TAKEN FOR INDOOR PESTS

    The following pests have historically and/or currently been a problem at Ayer Community School:
    • Ants
    • Ants have been sighted in the past, usually in the springtime. In the past we have had field mice come in in the fall but have not seen any signs of them this year.

    The School's IPM approach to managing the indoor pests includes the following actions:

    SCHOOL PEST DESCRIPTION
    Small sugar ants have occasionally been sighted. In the past mice have been trapped in the basement storage closet whent he church had a pest control program in place. We have not seen any signs thsi year.

    SCHOOL PEST LOCATION DETAILS
    During the springtime, ants have occasionally been sighted on the floors of the basement floor bathrooms and also on the floors of the first floor classrooms near the trash baskets.

    SCHOOL PEST ACTIVITY
    Approximately two dozen ants have been seen in all locations throughout the year, with most sightings in the spring.

    MONITORING/INSPECTION
    When pests are present, the Ayer Community School has chosen an Indoor monitoring schedule that consists of daily inspections by staff members. When pests are absent the Indoor monitoring schedule will consist of bimonthly inspections by staff members.

    ELIMINATING ACCESS
    Measures to prevent the ants and mice from accessing the property is mainly by keeping the school clean and sanitary.

    ELIMINATING SOURCES OF FOOD AND WATER
    Food is kept in airtight containers and stored in the closets. Water is bottled and kept in the refrigerator or in the closets.

    ELIMINATION OF SHELTER AND HARBORAGE
    The school is kept clean and sanitary to keep the ants and mice out.

    NON-CHEMICAL CONTROLS
    The ants are swept up and disposed of. The mice are caught in traps.

    CHEMICAL CONTROLS
    PESTICIDE USE ATTESTATION:
    Pesticides are only applied by a certified and/or licensed applicator.


H. RECORD KEEPING

    In the case of Ayer Community School, INDOOOR monitoring records will be maintained through the following technique:  Pest monitoring will be logged into a pest management binder located in the director''s office.


I. EVALUATING THE PROGRAM

    The IPM committee will evaluate the plan annually .


J. IN THE EVENT OF A HEALTH EMERGENCY

    During the creation of this IPM plan, Susan Napper has assigned committee member Susan Napper with the responsibility of applying for an emergency waiver.


K. LIST OF PESTICIDES TO BE USED INSIDE THE FACILITY

    The following list includes all the pesticides that will be used inside the Ayer Community School. This list includes all herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides that will be used in the event that chemical is required.

    Pesticide
    Name    		Active
    Ingredient    		EPA
    Registration #    		Target
    Pest    		Rationale
    for use



    I attest, to the best of my knowledge, that the above information is complete, accurate and true

    __________________________________________________/______/___
    IPM Coordinator SignatureDate
      
    __________________________________________________/______/___
    Administrator, Director, or PrincipalDate

    Indoor IPM Plan originally submitted on: 8/26/2008 12:49:00 PM
    Plan updated by Susan Napper on: 4/13/2010 1:28:00 PM