Knowledge Beginnings
Indoor Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan
200 Old Main Street
Tewksbury, MA 01876

IPM Coordinator
Laura  Manson

Primary Contact
Christina Panagakis, 978-863-5540, Christina.Panagakis@kindercare.com

By signing the end of this indoor IPM plan, the IPM coordinator, Laura  Manson, of this Daycare and the Pest Management Professionals described above acknowledge, and agree to the terms of this INDOOR integrated pest management plan.


A .INTRODUCTION

    In compliance with the Act Protecting Children and Families from Harmful Pesticides, Knowledge Beginnings on 11/8/2024 12:26:00 PM has prepared the following indoor IPM plan. By centralizing all of the information about this facility’s pest management practices the plan serves as a guide to direct this facility’s IPM coordinator,  Laura  Manson , about pest control and pesticide use.

    This plan describes the pest management practices for indoor areas of the Knowledge Beginnings and clearly states it’s pesticide use policies.

    A copy of the plan has been filed with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and at least one printed copy must be kept on site and made available to the public upon request.

    Objectives
    The objectives of the integrated pest management program conducted at the Knowledge Beginnings are listed below.

  •  
    		• Reduce children’s exposure to pesticides and pesticide residues whenever possible.
  •  
    		• Manage pests that may occur on facilities to prevent interference with the learning environment of the students.
  •  
    		• Provide the safest playing or athletic surfaces possible.

    In light of these objectives, the Knowledge Beginnings has selected the following as it’s IPM policy statement:


B.POLICY STATEMENT

    It is the policy of this school to implement Integrated Pest Management procedures to control structural and landscape pests and minimize exposure of children, faculty, and staff to pesticides.


C.IPM COMMITTEE

    The tasks set before an IPM committee are to:

  •  
    		• Develop an IPM plan. The IPM plan is in essence, a document that describes the organization and implementation of IPM on school grounds.
  •  
    		• Evaluate progress of the IPM program.
  •  
    		• Communicate about IPM - Facilitate communication within the school about IPM practices.
  •  
    		• Assist in development of contract specifications.
  •  
    		• Provide notification to parents about pesticide use.

    The INDOOR committee members selected for the Knowledge Beginnings are listed below:
    1) Laura  Manson (Indoor IPM Coordinator)
    2) Kristen Wiitala
    3) Julie O'Meara


D. COMMUNICATING IPM WITHIN THE FACILITY

    The Pest Management Professional communicates with the IPM coordinator of the facility. The IPM coordinator then posts this information in a common viewing area dedicated to the subject of integrated pest management.

    Staff/Students communicate with their supervisors or teachers who then pass information onto the IPM coordinator.


E. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF FACILITY OCCUPANTS & STAFF

  • All staff will be trained seasonally on IPM Plan and discuss overall IPM concerns and questions, which then will be handled appropriately.
  • We train our staff with contents that will cover pest-reporting procedures and pest prevention strategies such as sanitation etc.
  • We discuss the training areas of the IPM at monthly staff meetings and newsletters.
  • Our maintenance supervisor, Paul St. Louis or Laura Manson, Center Director will facilitate the trainings on a monthly basis at staff meeting. We will generate overall questions and\or concerns and evaluate the training by questionares or gradings from the staff regarding the level of knowledge they received from information given.
  • We update our entry way with information for all entering our building on procedures etc. Along with information in monthly newsletters.


F. INDOOR MONITORING

    The IPM committee will evaluate the plan annually. When pests are present, Knowledge Beginnings has chosen an INDOOR monitoring schedule that consists of weekly inspections. When pests are absent the INDOOR monitoring schedule will consist of weekly inspections.

    The following technique will be used to monitor for pests:  The facility’s contracted Pest Management Professional would conduct regular pest inspections and would then instruct the IPM coordinator as to the proper course of action.


G. COURSE OF ACTION TAKEN FOR INDOOR PESTS

    The following pests have historically and/or currently been a problem at Knowledge Beginnings:
    • Ants
    • Spiders

    The School's IPM approach to managing the indoor pests includes the following actions:

    SCHOOL PEST DESCRIPTION
    In our three-year history of the center, we have encountered ants and spiders. The previous mentioned pests are found in the interior of our building.
    SCHOOL PEST LOCATION DETAILS
    Near door ways in all classrooms and kitchen
    SCHOOL PEST ACTIVITY
    we have a large amount of ant activity during the warm months and our Pest Management Service monitors the situation as needed as well with their monthly visit.
    MONITORING/INSPECTION
    Staff monitor their classroom daily, letting management know of any situation of ants or spiders, which in turn Management would contact Pest Control Service to make a visit and assist with the situation.
    ELIMINATING ACCESS
    Securing perimeters of building and training staff on sanitation procedures regarding why pests are making appearances.
    ELIMINATING SOURCES OF FOOD AND WATER
    Food and water is kept in a secure environment and not kept in classrooms.
    ELIMINATION OF SHELTER AND HARBORAGE
    Closely observing ants after feeding and locating shelter areas.
    NON-CHEMICAL CONTROLS
    Maintaining cleanliness with in area. No crumbs on floor, wiping spills etc.
    CHEMICAL CONTROLS
    PESTICIDE USE ATTESTATION:
    Pesticides are only applied by a certified and/or licensed applicator.


H. RECORD KEEPING

    In the case of Knowledge Beginnings, INDOOOR monitoring records will be maintained through the following technique:  Knowledge Beginnings will update each IPM Plan annually and monitor the performance and/or progress through on-going anecdotal notes, feedback at staff meetings, and through parent communication either written or verbal


I. EVALUATING THE PROGRAM

    The IPM committee will evaluate the plan annually .


J. IN THE EVENT OF A HEALTH EMERGENCY

    During the creation of this IPM plan, Christina Panagakis has assigned committee member Kristen Wiitala with the responsibility of applying for an emergency waiver.


K. LIST OF PESTICIDES TO BE USED INSIDE THE FACILITY

    The following list includes all the pesticides that will be used inside the Knowledge Beginnings. This list includes all herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides that will be used in the event that chemical is required.

    Pesticide
    Name    		 Active
    Ingredient    		 EPA
    Registration #    		 Target
    Pest    		 Rationale
    for use
    Essentria IC-3 Rosemary Oil, Geraniol,Peppermint Oil FIFRA 25 (b) General Pest
    Advion Ant Arena's Indoxacarb 101-1485 Ants
    Advion Ant Gel Indoxacarb 100-1498 Ants
    Contrac Blox Bromadiolone 12455-79 Mice, rats
    Final Blox Brodifacaum 12455-89 Mice, rats
    Intice 10 Orthorbic Acid 73079-6 Ants, Roach's
    Tempo D Cyfluthrin 432-1373 Bees, Ants
    Vendetta Nitro Clothaiandin Pyriproxyfen 102-2796 Roach's



I attest, to the best of my knowledge, that the above information is complete, accurate and true

________________________________________________ __/______/___
IPM Coordinator Signature Date
   
________________________________________________ __/______/___
Administrator, Director, or Principal Date

Indoor IPM Plan originally submitted on: 4/20/2005 12:49:00 PM
Plan updated by Christina Panagakis on: 11/8/2024 12:26:00 PM