Factors that may impede the implementation of Integrated Pest Management plans at schools may include a lack of:
Readily available resources can help with overcoming the common barriers to successful implementation of IPM. Some examples include:
| Barriers to Change | Possible Position/Argument to Address the Barrier | Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Budgetary limitations | Investment costs will provide future financial savings | Fears that IPM is more expensive than traditional pest control (See page 166) |
| Time necessary to draft and adopt an IPM policy and designate an IPM coordinator | Pest management practices and policies can have an important impact on the quality of the school's environment. | IPM in Schools - Model Pesticide Safety and IPM Guidance Policy for School Districts |
| Support at the decision-making (district or state) level for implementation of an IPM program | U.S. EPA is encouraging school officials to adopt IPM practices and supporting this with guidelines for beginning the process. | Managing Pests in Schools |
| Legislative requirements or compliance directives from the state or district | School pesticide policies and programs are being adopted across the country and are continually improving. | State and Local School Pesticide Policies |
| Awareness of environmental risks and health hazards associated with traditional pest management | U.S. EPA uses the National Research Council's four-step process for human health risk assessment when evaluating health risks from pesticides. | Assessing Human Health Risk from Pesticides |
| Internal support and commitment for maintenance and monitoring | Examples of school IPM plans and forms, as well as what to look for, assist maintenance with monitoring. | School IPM Directory and Integrated Pest Management Tools: Resources to Support IPM Implementation |