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HomeFood and Agricultural CodeDiv. 7Ch. 2Art. 17§ 13181 Integrated Pest Management Definition

§ 13181 Integrated Pest Management Definition

Food and Agricultural Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 13181 Integrated Pest Management Definition

This law says schools and child‑care centers must use Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which means they only use the safest pesticides after watching for pests and only when a set threshold is reached.

Key Takeaways

  • •IPM is required only for schools and child‑day‑care facilities.
  • •Pesticides are a last resort and must be the safest option available.
  • •A designated IPM coordinator (or school designee) oversees the program.

Example

A kindergarten notices ants in the cafeteria. The staff checks the pest‑monitoring log, sees the ant count has passed the pre‑set threshold, and then calls the IPM coordinator to choose a low‑risk pesticide.

Because the school follows the law, they first try cleaning and sealing cracks (non‑chemical methods). Only after the ant numbers hit the set limit do they use a pesticide that is the least harmful.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 13181 Integrated Pest Management Definition

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, for purposes of this article, “integrated pest management” means a pest management strategy that focuses on long-term prevention or suppression of pest problems through a combination of techniques such as monitoring for pest presence and establishing treatment threshold levels, using nonchemical practices to make the habitat less conducive to pest development, improving sanitation, and employing mechanical and physical controls. Pesticides that pose the least possible hazard and are effective in a manner that minimizes risks to people, property, and the environment, are used only after careful monitoring indicates they are needed according to preestablished guidelines and treatment thresholds. This definition shall apply only to integrated pest management at school facilities and child day care facilities. (b) For purposes of this article “IPM coordinator” has the same meaning as school designee or IPM coordinator, as those terms are defined in subdivision (e) of Section 17609 of the Education Code. (Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 848, Sec. 10. (SB 1405) Effective January 1, 2015.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

integrated pest managementIPM coordinator

Related Statutes

  • § 13182 School Pest Management Policy
  • § 13183 School Pest Management Programs
  • § 13186.5 Pesticide Applicator Training
  • § 13180 Healthy Schools Act
  • § 13184 School Pesticide Reduction Website

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Food and Agricultural Code. Section 13181.
View Official Source