DBS CODE: 3516.11 DBS CODE: 3516.11BUSINESS
Hazardous Material in Schools:
Pest Management
Somers Public Schools implements an integrated pest management plan that uses available pest control techniques to reduce the amounts of pesticides applied in any building, or the grounds of any Somers Public School by using alternative methods of pest control, that may include structural maintenance, proper sanitation practices, appropriate solid waste management and alternative mechanical or biological control, along with pesticides.
The decision to apply pesticide in any building, or the grounds of any Somers Public School is dependent on results of periodic monitoring for pest populations to determine if a pest problem exists that exceeds acceptable threshold levels.
No application of pesticide shall be made in any building, or the grounds of any Somers Public School during regular school hours or during planned activities at any school except as provided by Connecticut statute or regulation.
Parents or guardians of children in any school and/or staff members in any school may register for prior notice of pesticide application at their school. Each school shall maintain a registry of persons requesting such notice, and shall provide notice to registered individuals in accordance with applicable Connecticut statutory and regulatory provisions.
The application of lawn care pesticides on the grounds of schools with students in Grades K-8 is prohibited except in emergencies and as permitted by Connecticut statutory and regulatory provisions. In such emergencies they must be applied according to an integrated pest management plan (IPM).
Somers Public Schools may make an emergency application of pesticide without prior notice to parents/guardians of children in any school and/or staff members in the event of an immediate threat to human health, subject to the notice provisions of applicable Connecticut statutory and regulatory provisions.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10-231b. Pesticide applications at schools: Authorized applicators. Exception, (as amended by PA 09-56)
10-231c. Pesticide applications at schools without an integrated pest management plan.
22a-46. Short title: Connecticut Pesticide Control Act
22a-54. Pesticide applicators, certification, classification, notice, fees, reciprocity; financial responsibility; aircraft, tree, public employee applicators.
22a-58. Records to be kept by distributors and applicators.
23-61a. Definitions. Tree protection examining Board within Department of Consumer Protection. Regulations.
23-61b. Licensing for arboriculture; examination; fees; renewal; suspension, revocation. Nonresidents. Records. Pesticides.
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 7
U.S. Code 136 et seq.
Revised: September 13, 2021
ADMIN. REG. 3516.11ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION
BUSINESS
Hazardous Material in Schools:
Pest Management
As required by state statute, the District shall:
A. Annually inform parents/guardians and staff of the District's pest application/management policy and a description of any pesticide applications made during the previous school year.
B. Provide notice of planned pesticide application to students, parents/guardians and employees.
C. Notice of Pesticide Application
1. Parents or guardians of children in any school and/or staff members in any school will be given prior notice of pesticide application at their school.
2. Parents or guardians of children in any school and/or staff members in any school shall be provided notice of each scheduled pesticide application at their school on or before the day that any application of pesticide is to take place.
3. The notice shall include the following information:
a. The name of the active ingredient of the pesticide being applied
b. The location of the application on school property
c. The date of the application
d. The name of the school administrator/designee, who may be contacted for further information.
2. Emergency Pesticide Application
a. Somers Public Schools may make an emergency application of pesticide without prior notice to parents/guardians of children in any school and/or staff members in the event of an immediate threat to human health, if it is necessary to make the application during such a period and the emergency application does not involve a pesticide classified as restricted by the administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or by the Connecticut Commissioner of Environmental Protection.
b. In the event of such emergency application, no child may enter the area of such application until it is safe to do so according to the provisions on the pesticide label.
3. Record of Pesticide Application
a. A copy of the record of each pesticide application at a school shall be maintained at the school for a period of five years, which record shall include the information required by Section 22a-66a of the Connecticut General Statutes and Regulations, as it may be amended from time to time.
Integrated Pest Management Plan
Pests Covered
IPM inspections and service will be performed for rats, mice, cockroaches and ants. Termites are excluded from this coverage.
I.P.M. Program
The Somers Public Schools will be inspected/serviced by Graduate Pest Solutions once per month for the purpose of identifying potential problem areas that may be contributing to pest infestations within the school, making recommendations for corrective measures, and providing necessary pesticide applications following state and school guidelines. The IPM plan will utilize all methods of pest control which may include structural, maintenance, sanitation, monitoring for pest populations, mechanical and biological control and the judicious use of pesticides. These methods will help to eliminate food, moisture and harborage for pests, making their survival more difficult. Pesticides will not be applied on a routine basis. However, they may be used as a tool to maintain pest populations at or below an acceptable level. The selection of pesticides that may be used will utilize the least toxic products as a first choice. Proper implementation of this program will reduce the volume, toxicity and frequency of applications of pesticides, thereby reducing the risk of potential exposure of building occupants who may be sensitive to their use.
Communication
Graduate Pest Solutions will submit an IPM Service Report with a written listing of our findings at the conclusion of each service visit (see attached). These reports will indicate any pest problems and provide recommendations for structural, sanitary, or procedural modifications necessary. A log book will be provided by Graduate Pest Solutions to keep and maintain these reports along with necessary labels, MSDS sheets and pest sighting logs. The log will be kept in the Director's office and will serve as a tool to facilitate communication between all personnel and our pest control technician. Pest sighting logs will be reviewed by our pest control technician at the beginning of each service call. All pest sightings reported in the logs should include specific information as to the location and type of pest, if known. Whenever possible, a sample of the insect should be provided to our pest control technician for identification purposes. The Director will act as a liaison between Graduate Pest Solutions and department/staff supervisor(s) and will be responsible for notifying the appropriate personnel of corrective actions that are needed (i.e.; sanitation).
Personnel
Your primary contact with Graduate Pest Solutions will be Mr. Glenn Olesuk, Supervisory Certification #S-2571. Mr. Olesuk is a licensed entomologist with over thirty years experience providing IPM services. He has taught state of Connecticut approved licensure training classes.
IPM Service Protocol
IPM inspections/service will focus on the food service areas including: the kitchen, dinning areas, culinary arts, teacher's break rooms plus basement mechanical areas. All other areas will be on call and within reason.
Insect and rodent monitors (gluetraps) will be used for the duration of the IPM program to monitor pest populations and activity. They will be placed in areas where pest activity has been identified or is likely to occur. The dates of installation will be indicated on each monitor. Visual inspections of the gluetraps will help our pest control technician to identify specific areas of infestation, if any, and assess the need for further action.
General Pests
Cockroaches
Due to the fact that German cockroaches can reproduce rapidly, have been attributed to causing asthma and are known to translocate bacteria and viruses to food and preparation surfaces, their control will be a high priority. Other cockroach species are also of concern and measures will be taken to reduce or eliminate their populations whenever possible.
Close and careful attention should be given to eliminating conditions that are conducive to pest infestation. All pests need food, moisture and harborage. By eliminating one or more of these, it is more difficult for pests to survive. Also, pests reproduce at a slower rate when conditions are not conducive for their survival.
Food, paper goods and other supplies should be visually inspected upon arrival for cockroach infestation. Cockroaches will often hide in the corrugation of cardboard boxes. Supplies should be unpacked and stored properly and their shipping cartons disposed of as soon as possible.
Sanitation and elimination of moisture sources is also an important factor in cockroach control. Areas where food is prepared and consumed should be swept or vacuumed daily. Particular attention should be given to areas underneath counters and appliances. Food residue should be washed off of any preparation surface or equipment. Grease residues should also be eliminated as much as possible as it is a food source and will render some pesticides ineffective. Bulk foods should be stored in tightly covered bins. Moisture sources should be eliminated as much as possible by repairing faucets, drying sinks and counters at the end of each day.
Light to Moderate Cockroach Population:
If 1-5 cockroaches are observed during any monitoring visit in any one area, bait materials will be placed according to the product label recommendations. The bait will be utilized along with gluetraps for monitoring purposes and will be replaced as needed during regular monitoring inspections.
**Note: Pesticide baits could be used for monitoring purposes in situations where no cockroaches have been observed but the likelihood of infestation is greater (i.e.; institutional kitchen). The amount of bait consumed will indicate pest activity and will be the first step to control the problem.
Moderate to Heavy Cockroach Population:
Due to moderate to heavy infestation of cockroaches (6-10 cockroaches observed in one area), an intensive bait material application will be placed throughout the infested area. Additional gluetraps will also be used for monitoring purposes. Bait materials may be applied in adjoining rooms where conducive conditions may also exist. The infested area will be re-inspected as necessary and baits and gluetraps will be replaced as needed. Every effort must be made by the facility to eliminate conditions that are conducive to infestation.
**Note: It is imperative that recommendations made by Graduate Pest Solutions be implemented as soon as possible. The recommendations are likely to include improving sanitation, modifying storage practices or caulking cracks or voids where cockroaches may hide.
Ants
Ants and many other pests can be excluded by caulking and patching cracks and voids in the walls, floors and sidewalks. Branches of trees and shrubs should be trimmed away from the building to eliminate pest access. Organic matter, wood debris and other trash should be raked away from the foundation wherever possible. If ants are seen within the building, they will usually be foraging for food. The pest control technician will properly identify the pest ant species and any conditions that may be conducive to infestation. Proper identification will enable the pest control technician to determine appropriate measures of control for the particular ant species. Also, the pest control technician will attempt to locate nest location(s). Written recommendations will be made to correct conducive conditions. Corrective actions are the responsibility of the school staff. Depending upon the ant species and where they are seen, bait stations may be utilized within the building.
Ants outside of the building may be treated using baits; however, steps should be taken to eliminate conducive conditions as much as possible.
Occasional Invaders & Bees-Wasps
Pesticide applications will not be performed to control occasional invaders unless they present an immediate health hazard or are unduly disruptive. The pest control technician will identify the pest and make recommendations to correct conditions that are conducive to infestation. Pests that are occasional invaders may include drain flies, fungus gnats, earwigs, spiders, sowbugs and centipedes. They can usually be controlled by improving sanitation and removing organic debris which will reduce their food supply. Elimination of moisture sources is also helpful.
Pests that may pose an immediate health threat such as bees and wasps will be treated as soon as possible with an appropriate pesticide. Additional charges may apply.
Complaints of unseen biting insects will be investigated, however, no pesticide will be applied unless the pest has been identified and no other pest control options are available. Additional charges may apply.
Stored Product Pests
Stored product pests can usually be controlled with proper sanitation, storage and inventory control. Products should be stored in clean airtight containers. The products should be checked frequently for signs of infestation and disposed of if infested.
A pesticide application may be applied if it is determined by the pest control technician and Director that residual control would be beneficial. Additional charges may apply.
Rodents
In addition to structural damage, mice and rats are known to spread organisms such as Salmonella bacteria, eggs of the tapeworm, Hantavirus and Leptospirosis, to name a few. They reproduce an average of 4-8 times per year. They can reproduce more often when conditions are favorable. Litters average 4-12 young. Rodents, particularly Deer Mice, will hoard food. This is an important fact to consider if baits will be utilized for their control. Pelleted and seed baits will only be used for outdoor applications and placed in a manner to limit the risk of exposure to unprotected persons and non-target animals. Bait blocks will be anchored properly to prevent mice from carrying bait off to another location.
Norway Rats
Norway rats are much larger than mice, usually brown with scattered black. Their tails are shorter than the head and body. They will build a nest of soft materials in and around lower floors of buildings and foundations in burrows, crawlspaces and underneath/behind stationary objects. Rats will range an average of 100-175 feet from their nesting area. They may range farther if food is limited. They are omnivorous, preferring food with a high carbohydrate and protein content. They need water on a daily basis in order to survive. Norway rats will prey upon mice; therefore, they are usually not found living in the same area of a building.
House Mice
House mice are small, light brown to light gray in color with smooth fur. Their tails are longer than their head and body. Mice will nest in walls, ceiling voids, cabinets, drawers, appliances, furniture etc. They usually nest close by to their food source, with an average range of 10-35 feet. They do not need water on a daily basis. House mice are omnivorous; however, they prefer seeds and grains.
Deer Mice
Deer mice, known vectors of hantavirus, will also enter houses, garages and other structures particularly as cold weather approaches. They are a reddish brown with a white chest and white feet. Their nests are usually underground; however, they will construct nests above ground in areas similar to the House mouse. Deer mice normally breed during spring and fall; however, they will breed more frequently under favorable conditions. They prefer to feed on nuts, seeds, berries and insects.
Hantavirus
Building maintenance and custodial staff should always take appropriate precautions to protect themselves against hantavirus. Documented cases of hantavirus have occurred mostly in the Southwestern United States; however, two cases have been documented in the Northeast, one in New York and one in Rhode Island. Infected rodents shed virus in saliva, urine and feces. Hantavirus can be transmitted to humans through inhalation of rodent excretions when disturbed, directly introduced into broken skin, introduced onto the conjunctivae, or, possibly ingested through consumption of contaminated food or water. Hantavirus has also been transmitted through rodent bites.
Areas of rodent infestation should be cleaned according to recommendations made in appendix A - Clean-up of Rodent Contaminated Areas.
**Refer to Appendix A for Hantavirus Risk Reduction Recommendations.
Prevention
In an effort to prevent and eliminate rodent populations, it is important that conditions favorable to their survival be reduced as much as possible or eliminated.
[ ] Action should be taken to mouse proof the facility by plugging holes in the foundation and walls. Steel wool can be used as a temporary patch while waiting for permanent repair to be done. (Attention should be given to utility tunnels and areas where sewers and drains enter a building.)
[ ] Water runoff should be directed away from the building. Drains should be screened with 1/4" hardware cloth to prevent rodent access and kept free of debris to reduce puddling of water.
[ ] Weather-stripping on doors should be repaired or replaced to reduce gaps to less than 1/4". Exterior doors should have automatic closing mechanisms installed and remain closed at all times. Loading dock areas should be clean, free of debris and doors should remain closed as much as possible.
[ ] Trees, shrubs, vines and brush should be trimmed away from the building at least 12-18" to allow access for the pest control technician to monitor and place traps and bait stations if necessary. Grass should be mowed and trimmed.
[ ] Dumpsters should be in good condition with all doors closed and drain holes capped. They should be located away from the building on a paved surface. Trash should be contained.
[ ] Storage areas should be managed using a first in first out program. Inventory should be elevated on pallets or shelving that is 12" or more away from any wall.
[ ] Areas where rodent feces are found should be cleaned up. Taking proper precautions to protect against hantavirus infection as described in Appendix A, the area should be disinfected and vacuumed with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner. This will help the pest control technician to determine if the infestation is ongoing by whether or not new feces are found after the area has been cleaned. Cleanup is the responsibility of the school staff.
Rodent Control Methods
Non-toxic gluetraps will be used to trap and monitor for rodent populations within the buildings. Rodenticides may be used if there is evidence of increased infestation or if five or more rodents are trapped in a given area on any inspection. If used, they will be placed in areas where they cannot be tampered with.
If bait stations are used, they will be attached or anchored to discourage disturbance by non-authorized personnel. Each station will be labeled with the name and address of the pest control company and the dates of installation and servicing will be indicated. The pest control technician will list the placement of bait stations which will be maintained as part of the pest control company's service record.
The pest control technician will fill burrows that are located around the perimeter of the building. On the next inspection the pest control technician may place Contrac bait in reopened burrows, filling them in to protect and conceal the bait. Reapplication will be performed as burrows reappear.
Rodenticide Plan
Rodenticides may be applied if rodent populations exceed an acceptable level. Priority is given to those rodenticides having the lowest toxicity, taking into consideration the method and frequency of application and the risk of exposure to building occupants. Rodenticides selected for possible use are as follows:
Rodenticide Choices
a) Contrac Blox
b) Contrac Meal
c) Contrac Soft Bait
Insecticide Plan
Insecticides may be applied if insect populations exceed an acceptable level. Priority is given to those insecticides having the lowest toxicity, taking into consideration the method and frequency of application and the risk of exposure to building occupants. Insecticides selected for possible use are as follows;
First Choice Bait Materials
a) Advion Roach Gel
b) Maxforce Roach Bait Stations
c) Maxforce Ant Bait Stations
d) Advion Ant Gel
e) Vendetta Plus Roach Gel
Second Choice Flushing Agents
a) CB-80
Dusts
a) Tempo D
Liquid Sprays
a) Talstar P
Legal References:
Connecticut General Statutes and Regulations
§10-231d
§22a-47
§22a-66a
Adopted: November 2005
Revised: October 21, 2021