Great Acts for Great Lakes

Pesticides Background - Pesticide Use at Schools

Pesticides are poisons designed to kill insects, plants, fungi, moulds and rodents.  They include herbicides, vermicides, fungicides and rodenticides. Even when used as directed, pesticides have many negative side effects on human health and the environment.  Pesticides in Canada are widespread and commonly used in and around buildings like schools and homes, yet few Canadians are informed about the negative effects of these chemicals.  The continued use of pesticides contributes to a build-up of harmful chemicals in the environment.

Although pesticides used and sold in Canada are registered, it is important to understand what this means.  Registration does not equal safe. Acceptable tolerance levels for humans are set for an average adult male and do not take into account the different situations of women and children. Children who typically play in grass and dirt and put toys and hands in their mouths at school are vulnerable to increased exposure to pesticides if they are used in or around a school.  Head lice is a widespread problem in schools -- roughly 25 percent of school-aged kids get lice each year.  Lice are increasingly developing resistance to the most common chemicals found in some of the available treatments.  A variety of non-toxic treatments is available and certain precautions can be instituted at school to help control infections.  

A systemic approach to pest control, called Integrated Pest Management, relies on prevention, identification and control by the least harmful means, such as biological controls, first before moving on to more toxic methods.  If a school has a pest problem, the best solution is to work to control pests without using pesticides. Non-chemical pest control methods include swatters for insects and mechanical traps for mice.  To protect against pest infestations, it is important to keep classroom coat rooms, lockers and the building clean and dry so that the school building is unattractive to pests.  It is important to ensure that clothing, sports equipment and electronic gear is not shared without first being properly cleaned.

Instead of using pesticides on school grounds, plant native flora which do not require chemical upkeep or ask a local nursery to work with you to provide native plants on school grounds; and encourage employees or contractors to use integrated pest management methods.

Where are pesticides found in schools?

Cafeteria: traps, bug sprays

School Grounds: weed killers, bug sprays

Storage: storage containers

The following are just a few ideas for reducing pesticide use and/or minimizing the dangers of pesticides at your school:

· Keep lockers and the building clean and dry.

· Fix plumbing leaks and other moisture problem areas immediately.

· Encourage good sanitation and proper maintenance of the school and school grounds.

· Use non-chemical pest control methods (i.e. traps, barriers, swatters)

· Only spray the affected areas (spot application) rather than spraying over an entire area.

· Spray or apply pesticides when students are out of the school.

· Apply proper amount of product required.

· Store pesticides in labeled, leak proof containers in a secure location.

· Choose to plant trees, shrubs and flowers that are native to the area.

· Conserve existing natural areas and restore damaged ones.

The following Web sites have interesting information and exciting ways to learn about and be active in preventing pest problems and reducing the use of pesticides.