INFORMATIONAL

  This past July and August, four  regional workshops were held
  to discuss a voluntary program and to assist you in writing an
  Integrated Pest Management Plan for Schools.  A total of 77
  individuals, representing 47 school divisions, attended the
  workshops.  Responses to these workshops indicated that the
  information presented was both needed and useful.  

  One of the most needed bits of information provided was the
  requirement for pesticide applicator certification for anyone
  using pesticides at a school.  Under the Virginia Pesticide
  Control Act, any person who uses or supervises the use of
  pesticides on any area open to the general public at an
  educational institution or within any area where food is
  processed or stored must be certified as a pesticide
  applicator.

  The use of pesticides includes the use of any insecticides,
  herbicides, fungicides, or rodenticide regardless of whether
  the product is formulated as a liquid, fog, gel, or stationary
  baits for pest control.  Persons using or supervising the use
  of these pesticides must be certified as either a commercial
  pesticide applicator not-for hire or as a registered
  technician working under the supervision of a certified
  commercial pesticide applicator.  

  If you have any questions or require additional information on
  how to become a certified pesticide applicator in the
  Commonwealth of Virginia, please contact Ms. Sherry Christman,
  Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
  Office of Pesticide Services, in Richmond, by phone at (804)
  786-1025 or by fax at (804) 786-9149.

  Additional useful information is attached that provides
  assistance in writing a voluntary posting and notification
  plan that should be part of an overall IPM Plan as discussed
  in the workshops.  Information being developed for future
  distribution and workshops includes the following:

     1.   More detailed information of pest identification,
            pest biology, and methods for pest control which
            can be incorporated into an integrated pest
            management program.

     2.   Information on writing a Request for Proposal to
            ensure pest control services being contracted
            include an effective integrated pest management
            program.

     3.   Training for school administrators, teachers, and
            nursing staff to educate them on pest control and
            integrated pest management strategies.

     4.   Pesticide applicator certification training for
            school staff.

     5.   Development of a handbook on the pesticide
            applicator certification process.

  If you need further assistance for writing a plan, writing a
  Request for Proposal for pest control services, or other
  training, please contact Dr. Donald R. Delorme, Environmental
  Program Analyst, at the Office of Pesticide Services, at (804)
  371-0152.  If you have general questions on the voluntary
  program, please call David Boddy, Director, Facilities
  Services at (804) 225-2035.

  RTL/aam

  Enclosure:   A hard copy of this memo and its enclosure
                 will be sent to the superintendent's office.