Recommended Pest Control Policy for Indiana Child Care Facilities

Dated: 2-17-03

Policy Statement

This child care facility is committed to providing children in its care with a safe environment. It seeks to prevent children from being exposed to pests and pesticides. While pesticides protect children and property from pests such as insects, weeds, and rodents that may be found in the facility and its surrounding grounds, under some circumstances they may pose a hazard to children and staff. To minimize potential pesticide exposure to children and staff, pest control practices in this facility will include a variety of non-chemical and chemical methods.

Commitments

This policy covers the areas used by the child care facility. This child care facility will:

1. Designate and identify a contact person to answer questions from parents and staff about this policy and to coordinate implementation of this policy with others such as the landlord and pest and lawn care management professionals.

2. Inform parents and staff members in writing of the facility's pest control policy.

3. Base pest management decisions on the results of regular inspections. The facility will avoid routine use of pesticides not exempted below.

4. Ensure that pesticides used at this facility will be applied by certified pesticide applicators or registered technicians.

5. Ensure that pesticides will not be applied when children are present at the facility. Toys and other items mouthed or handled by the children will be removed from the area before pesticides are applied. Children will not return to the treated area within two hours of a pesticide application or as specified on the pesticide label, whichever time is greater.

6. In the event of an emergency where pests pose an immediate health threat to children and staff (e.g. wasps) and pesticides are applied, ensure that children will not return to the treated area within two hours of a pesticide application or as specified on the pesticide label, whichever time is greater.

7. Provide at least two operational days but not more than 30 days advance notice of pesticide application to parents and staff except in emergencies where pests pose an immediate health threat to children or staff (e.g. wasps).

8. Notify parents and staff as soon as possible when advance notice is not provided and include an explanation of the emergency, the reason for the late notice and the name of pesticide applied.

9. Make accessible, upon request, all records of pesticide applications and advance notices for at least 90 days.

Exemptions

This policy does not apply to the following exempted uses of pesticides:

1) Germicides, disinfectants, bactericides, sanitizing agents, water purifiers and swimming pool chemicals used in normal cleaning activities;

2) Personal insect repellents applied to the person with parental consent; and

3) Gel bait or manufactured enclosed insecticides where children do not have access to the bait. (Granular baits and rodent baits are not exempt.)