Integrated Pest Management Plan

The Elizabethtown Area School District uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for controlling insects, rodents, and weeds. Its goal is to protect every student from pesticide exposure while making the school buildings and grounds an unfavorable habitat for pests. Through routine cleaning and maintenance, the district removes food and water sources, thus eliminating hiding and breeding places. Sightings are immediately reported to our IPM coordinator who evaluates the “pest problem” to determine the appropriate pest management strategy. Increased sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, and physically removing the pest are a few of the common tactics.

Periodically, it will be necessary to employ pesticides registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. As this occurs, the district will employ the least toxic product that is proven effective. Applications will be made only when students, staff, and visitors do not have access to the area(s) being treated. Notices will be posted in these areas 72 hours in advance and for two days following, except for emergency situations such as an occurrence of bees and hornets in classrooms. To receive advanced notice of a specific pesticide application, you must be placed on the district’s pesticide registry. To be placed on the registry, you must inform the IPM Coordinator in writing of your desire. Please include your name, address, and phone number, as well as your child’s name and grade level. Include your email address if you would like to be alerted electronically.

If an emergency pesticide application arises, the district will contact any parent or guardian who is listed in the registry via telephone. Exemptions to this notification include disinfectants and antimicrobial products; self-containerized baits placed in areas not accessible to students, gel-type baits placed in cracks, crevices or voids; and swimming pool maintenance chemicals.

For more information or if you have any questions, contact Donna Zartman, secretary for the Buildings & Grounds Administrative Assistant, at (717) 367-1521 or donna_zartman@etownschools.org.