Resources about Pesticides and Integrated Pest Management for Child Care Providers

Exposure to pests such as cockroaches, rodents, ants, and stinging insects in childcare centers may place children at risk for disease, asthma attacks, bites, and stings. Improper use of pesticides can also place children at risk. A recent study of pesticide use in child care centers revealed that 75% of centers reported at least one pesticide application in the last year. Several factors increase both children's exposures and their vulnerability to these exposures compared to adults. Children spend more time on the floor, where residues can transfer to skin and be absorbed.

Young children also frequently place their hands and objects in their mouths, resulting in non-dietary ingestion of pesticides. Children are less developed immunologically, physiologically, and neurologically, and therefore may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of chemicals and toxins. There is increasing evidence of adverse effects of pesticides on young children, particularly on neurodevelopment. The following links provide information about the health effects associated with exposure to pests and pesticides and the steps that can be taken to use integrated pest management strategies in childcare facilities.

Resources

• California Department of Pesticide Registration
  • Argentine Ants: Spanish Version(2 pp, 196 KB) 
  • Bed Bugs: Spanish Version(2 pp, 250 KB) 
  • Child Day Care Facilities IPM 
  • Cockroaches: English Version(2 pp, 313 KB, About PDF) , Cockroaches: Spanish Version(2 pp, 212 KB) 
  • Keep Pests Out of Your Child Care Center (English Version)(2 pp, 323 KB) 
    Keep Pests Out of Your Child Care Center (Spanish Version)(2 pp, 196 KB)  
  • Mice and Rats: Spanish Version(2 pp, 323 KB)  
  • What to Do About Bugs, Weeds, and Other Pests: Child Care Pest Information Series 
• EPA - Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Child Care: Protecting our Children from Pests and Pesticides
• Penn State Extension - IPM for Child Care and Early Learning Environments 
• Pesticide and Toxic Substances Exposure Awareness Project - IPM in Child Care Centers 
• University of California, San Francisco - California Childcare Health Program
  • Integrated Pest Management Toolkit for Early Care and Education Programs
• University of Florida - The School IPM Listserv