Integrated Pest Management Intervention Study in 45 Child Care Centers in Three Counties

This research study evaluated the impact of a nurse-led integrated pest management (IPM) intervention and dissemination of the Integrated Pest Management: A Toolkit for Early Care and Education Programs. The IPM intervention included an IPM workshop for child care staff, an IPM Checklist assessment and photo summary of the problems identified, and a review of centers' pest management policies. An "IPM Toolbox" with items to implement IPM was given to each participating child care program. The goals of the project were to increase IPM knowledge and practices, reduce the use of pesticides in child care centers, and subsequently reduce the exposure to pesticides for children and staff.