Skip to main content Skip to navigation
Integrated Pest Management School IPM

IPM for Microorganisms: Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is used in schools for pests such as weeds, rodents, and cockroaches. IPM principles can also be used for addressing microscopic pests such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses. When addressing microscopic pests, select the cleaning product based on the need, whether taking preventative measures to reduce pest-conducive conditions or eliminating microorganisms. For example, while soapy water is sufficient to disrupt an ant trail, use of a registered disinfectant is required on wrestling mats to prevent the spread of infectious skin diseases. Remember that disinfectants are registered pesticides and therefore the label must be followed to avoid health problems such as eye injuries, chemical burns, and respiratory illness as well as to achieve disinfection.

The following links provide information on cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting while minimizing hazards.

Safety Information

Guidelines

Products

(pdf) Information available as a PDF document. You may require additional software to view or print this document. Wikipedia maintains a list of some options, if you do not already have suitable software.