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IPM
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Buffalo Public Schools, Buffalo NY
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To view press release, click here. The IPM program had its start in 1989, when Rich Muscarella, owner of Ashland Pest Control, learned about IPM at a state association meeting. Rich recognized IPM as a potential way to differentiate his firm by improving pest control and reducing risk. Jerry Lyons, assistant superintendent for plant services for Buffalo schools at the time, was receptive to Muscarella’s suggestion that they try an IPM approach. He gave Muscarella free reign to experiment with reducing pesticide use and implementing strategies to limit staff and student exposure. “There were no guidelines at the time,” according to Muscarella. “We developed a facilities inspection sheet and pest sightings log book system and expanded from there. We eliminated pesticide sprays in school buildings, using only baits where needed.” Stinging insects are the most frequent problem for the schools. Ashland relies on least-toxic mint oils and other plant oil products. German cockroaches can also be a problem, occasionally arriving as stowaways with food service and supply deliveries. “The food service people have made our job easy,” according to
Bob Rua, the district's director of building safety and health. By inspecting incoming shipments and keeping kitchen and food storage areas clean and free of clutter, pest problems are kept to a minimum. Buffalo is currently in the Phase I of a project to renovate school facilities, which have an average age of 72 years. The first phase is a $185 million investment in nine schools (out of a total of 75) plus the system’s service center. Buffalo has taken advantage of Rua's background as a former chemist. On an ongoing basis, Rua reviews cleaning and maintenance products for indoor air quality issues, recently revising specifications for floor cleaning products. Another review involved air quality monitoring for carpentry adhesives – resulting in changes in some of the products used and improvements in procedures for working with others. Rua also oversaw an overhaul of science class chemicals, including a $100,000 disposal bill for outdated, unused and potentially hazardous chemicals. Rua is assisted by Sue Eager, director of plant services, who oversees staff engineers including buildings and grounds department managers. Jim Fowler is head of buildings and grounds. Pesticide applications to school grounds are limited to spot treatment of individual weeds at All High Stadium. Healthy turf on the field is maintained through frequent overseeding using a power seeder which “plants” the seed one inch under the soil, resulting in 90% germination. Overseeding “chokes out” weed growth, and along with frequent aeration, irrigation and mulching blades on mowers, effectively ensures an attractive playing surface. For landscape renovations and new schools, staff and the city IPM committee choose pest-resistant plants, and specify placement away from buildings to avoid making branches “highways” for squirrels, ants and other pests. Rua and Muscarella plan to continue improving the IPM program, revising the pest record-keeping system maintained by custodians and Ashland technicians in each school, and providing training for horticulture program instructional staff.
Rua will also look for opportunities to build pest prevention into new and renovated building design. |
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