A recent bill introduced into the Texas State Senate would do away with regulations passed 20 years ago to restrict pesticide use and improve the standard for pest control in public schools.  The bill, introduced under the premise that it would reduce costs to school districts, got its first public hearing this week.  A story published this week in the Texas Tribune summarizes the issue.

If you’ve never given much thought to pest control as it relates to your children’s school, you’re not alone.  Most of us take for granted that schools follow the best management practices to keep kids safe and provide a healthy learning environment.  But data shows that the quality of pest control in Texas schools has improved over the past 16 years that Texas’ school IPM mandate has been in effect.  In a study we conducted 6 years ago, most (53%) school district pest control coordinators feel that following the integrated pest management requirements that the state insists on, has actually reduced the cost of pest control.

Integrated pest management (IPM) is not just for the garden.  It works in schools as well.