Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

The Delaware Valley School District uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach for managing insects, rodents and weeds.  Our goal is to protect every student from pesticide exposure by using an IPM approach to pest management.  Our IPM approach focuses on making the school building and grounds an unfavorable habitat for these pests by removing food and water sources and eliminating their hiding and breeding places.  We accomplish this through routine cleaning and maintenance.  We routinely monitor the school building and grounds to detect any pests that are present.  The pest monitoring team consists of our building maintenance, office and teaching staff and includes our students.  Pest sightings are reported to our IPM coordinator who evaluates the “pest problem” and determines the appropriate pest management techniques to address the problem.  The techniques can include increased sanitation, modifying storage practices, sealing entry points, physically removing the pest, etc.

From time to time, it may be necessary to use chemicals to manage a pest problem.  Chemicals will only be used when necessary, and will not be routinely applied.   When chemicals are used, the school will try to use the least toxic product when possible.  (Applications will be made only after normal school hours.)  Notices will be posted in these areas 72 hours prior to application and for two days following the application.

Staff, parent(s) or guardians of students enrolled in the school may request prior notification of specific pesticide applications made at the school.  To receive notification you must be placed on the school notification registry.  If you would like to be placed on the registry, please notify the district in writing.  The address is:  Delaware Valley School District, Support Services, 258 Route 6 & 209, Milford, PA  18337.  Please include your email address if you would like to be notified electronically.

If a chemical application must be made to control an emergency pest problem (ex. stinging insects), notice will be provided by telephone to any staff, parent(s) or guardian who has requested such notification in writing.   Exemptions to this notification include disinfectants and anti-microbial products, self-containerized baits placed in areas not accessible to students, and gel type baits placed in cracks, crevices or voids.

Each year the district will prepare a new notification registry.