August 28, 2008

LANSING - Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) officials are reminding all parents and guardians of their right to be notified of the use of pesticides at schools and licensed daycare centers prior to the application and the need for school officials to implement an integrated pest management (IPM) program if pesticide applications are made indoors at these facilities.

IPM is a pest management system using all suitable techniques in a total management system to prevent pests from reaching unacceptable levels or to reduce existing pest populations to acceptable levels.

“One of the main objectives of IPM is to significantly reduce the risk of pesticide exposure to the children attending Michigan’s schools and licensed daycare centers,” said Ken Rauscher, Director, Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division. “MDA does not require parental pesticide notification for sanitizers and disinfectants.”

The school or licensed day care facility administrator is responsible for annual, written notification of pesticide applications and to provide that information to parents or guardians within 30 days of the beginning of the school year for schools and in September for licensed daycare centers. Notification is not required for the use of sanitizers and disinfectants.

Schools or daycare centers must provide a 48-hour advance notice prior to a pesticide application. Annual notification of pesticide applications shall include designation of the commonly used primary entrances at which posting of pesticide application information is required. The notice must be posted at entrance doors, and then a second notification can be made by:

• Posting in a public, common area
• E-mail
• A telephone call (must make direct contact with a parent or guardians)
• Providing students with a written notice to be delivered to the parent or guardian
• Posting on the school’s or daycare center’s website

Parents or guardians also have the right to request to be notified by first-class U.S. mail. The notification must be postmarked at least three days before the application.
MDA ensures all Michigan’s schools and licensed daycare centers are maintaining the highest standards for pesticide safety through the IPM and other pesticide program activities.

Additional information about IPM and pesticide notification is available on the MDA Web site at www.michigan.gov/mda or through any MDA regional office.