BED BUG UPDATE
The Mecklenburg County Health Department has prepared a website specific to bed bugs. Bed bugs do not present an inherent health or safety risk and school infestations are rare. More commonly a few bed bugs or other pests may catch a ride to school in book bags or clothing. The Integrated Pest Management Team does respond to bed bugs and other pests utilizing modern techniques. If a bed bug is reported in your school please notify your front office to enter a work request and have the pest management team respond.
Visit the Mecklenburg County Health Department Bed Bug Web page by clicking this link: >>>Bed Bugs Link .
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
The purpose of the CMS Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program is to control pests safely, effectively and reduce exposure of school children and school occupants to pesticides. Integrated Pest Management is a comprehensive approach to pest management that combines biological, physical, chemical, and cultural tactics to prevent and solve pest problems. The emphasis of IPM is on pest prevention. CMS practices IPM on a district-wide basis.
CMS STAFF ROLES
Principal(s) are responsible for designating and IPM contact for their site(s). The contact shall be either an assistant principle or the administrative secretary.
School IPM Contacts are the local points of contact for IPM information and reports at the school level. The IPM Contact will maintain a log of pest sightings and communicate with IPM Technicians and the IPM Coordinator as needed. The School IPM Contact shall be responsible for informing and educating all site staff about methods for reporting pest observations at one staff meeting per year.
School Occupants including Staff and Students are responsible to:
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Clean up food leftovers, store snacks properly in pest-proof containers (for example, plastic containers with tight-fitting lids), and maintain uncluttered and clean classrooms, cubbyholes, lockers, and other storage areas.
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Follow IPM guidelines for reporting pest problems. For example, promptly report pest sightings to the IPM School Contact.
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Report conditions that are conducive to pest survival in the building (leaky faucets, damaged trash can lids, etc.).
- DO NOT apply pesticides in the school or classrooms.
Child Nutrition Staff are responsible for understanding the importance of and implement good sanitation, kitchen management, and proper food storage in successful pest management.
Child Nutrition staff shall:
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Recognize, locate and eliminate pest harborage areas
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Record pest problems and pest-conducive conditions in the logbook
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Store food in pest-proof containers
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Reduce the availability of life-sustaining resources by thoroughly cleaning the kitchen, equipment, and utensils, removing garbage promptly, etc
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Remove surplus equipment from the food service areas and premises promptly (This equipment can harbor pests)
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Leave pesticide applications to trained and certified pest management professionals
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Child Nutrition staff shall not apply pesticides
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Attend periodic IPM training including staff meeting sessions
Custodial Services staff are responsible for:
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Reporting the incidence and location of pest problems.
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Recognizing and reporting pest-conducive conditions, such as water leaks and potential pest entry points into buildings.
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Correcting many of the conditions that may lead to pest problems, such as substandard sanitation practices, broken windows, loose baseboards, doorways, etc.
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Attending periodic IPM training including staff meetings.
Maintenance staff’s role in the IPM program is to report or remove pest-conducive conditions observed in facilities enhancing the effectiveness of the IPM program.
IPM technicians are to engage in the responsible performance of pest control duties
OUTREACH EDUCATIONAL BROCHURES
Below are links to a number of educational brochures on IPM.
For more information on IPM click on the NC Integrated Pest Management tab in the Related Links block on the left of this page