Pesticide Notification & Posting Requirements for Maryland Public Schools

Public schools must provide certain information to parents or guardians of students in the schools, to students and to staff members about the school’s integrated pest management (IPM) system and about pesticide applications in school buildings or on school grounds.  

Notification requirements vary, depending on the grade level of the school, type of pesticide applied and pesticide application method.

School calendar notice

At the beginning of each school year, public schools must send a notice to the parent or guardian of each student in primary and secondary schools.  The notice can be printed in a document such as the school calendar or newsletter.  

The notice must include the following information: 

• Explanation of the school system’s IPM program 
• List of pesticides or bait stations used in school buildings or on school grounds 
• Name, address, and telephone number of contact person 
• Statement that the contact person keeps copies of labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS) of pesticide products used in school buildings or on school grounds and that the labels and MSDS are available for review 
• Instructions for parents or guardians and staff on how to enroll on a pesticide notification list to receive prior notice of pesticide applications

Elementary school notifications

The parents or guardians of each elementary school student, and staff members employed by the elementary school, must be notified at least 24 hours before a pesticide is applied in a school building or on school grounds.  If an emergency pest situation arises and a pesticide is applied, notification must be made within 24 hours of the application.  

For pesticide applications made on the school grounds, the notice of planned date and time of application may specify that weather conditions or other extenuating circumstances may cause the actual date of application to be postponed to a later date or dates. If the actual date of application is more than 14 days later than the original planned date of the application, a new notice must be issued. 

The following information must be provided as part of the notification: 

• Common name of pesticide applied 
• Location, date and time of application 
• Description of potential adverse effects listed on the MSDS 
• The following statement: “The Office of Pesticide Programs of the United States Environmental Protection Agency has stated: ‘Where possible, persons who potentially are more sensitive, such as pregnant women and infants (less than two years old), should avoid any unnecessary pesticide exposure’” 
• Reason for emergency application (if applicable)

Middle school & high school notifications

The parents or guardians of a middle school or high school student, and staff members employed by middle schools and high schools, must submit a written request to the school to receive notification of pesticide applications made during the school year in the school building or on school grounds.  

Each middle school and high school is required to develop a pesticide notification list, keep it current, and make it available to MDA on request.

Parents or guardians of middle school or high school students, and staff members employed by middle schools and high schools, who are on the pesticide notification list will be notified by the school 24 hours before a pesticide is applied in a school building or on school grounds. Notification must occur within 24 hours after an emergency pesticide application.

For pesticide applications made on school grounds, the notice of planned date and time of application may specify that weather conditions or other extenuating circumstances may cause the actual date of application to be postponed to a later date or dates. If the actual date of application is more than 14 days later than the original planned date of the application, a new notice must be issued. 

The notice provided to individuals on the pesticide notification list is the same notice given by elementary schools.

The school can provide the notification by a written notice sent home with the student or provided to a staff member, a telephone call, direct contact or a written notice mailed three days before the application.

Space spraying notice

A space spray is a pesticide that is discharged into the air throughout an entire room or area by a fogger or aerosol device, usually to control flying or crawling insects.

Before a space spray can be used in any school, the school must notify each parent or guardian and staff member one week before the pesticide is applied. The notice must include the same information as the other notices previously described. 

In-school notifications

A middle school or a high school must provide in-school notification, by oral announcements or written notice, before a pesticide is applied in that school.  

A sign or notice must be posted at the room or area that is treated and either at the primary entrance to the school or in a central location when a pesticide is applied in a school building. 

When a pesticide is applied on school grounds, a sign or notice must be posted at the primary entrance to the school or in a central location. 

When bait stations (containers enclosing an insecticide or rodenticide bait) are used in an elementary, middle or high school, that school must post a sign or notice on the door of the room or at the primary entrance to the treatment area. 

The notice or sign posted as part of the in-school notification must include the following information: 

• “Caution--Pesticide Application” 
• Common name of pesticide applied 
• Location and date of pesticide application or date bait station was placed 
• Contact person for additional information, including information on potential adverse effects The notice or sign must remain posted for at least 48 hours after the pesticide is applied or until the bait station is removed. 

Posting on site

When a pesticide application is made on school grounds, a sign must be posted at the time of the application at each primary access to the school property. If a spot or limited area pesticide application is made, a sign may be posted at the location where the pesticide application was made. The sign must remain posted for at least 48 hours following the application.

Sample notices & posting requirements

Click on a link to the below for examples of Notices and Posting Signs as well as a lists of notification and posting requirements.

• IPM Initial Notice for School Calendars - PDF - 17.03 KB
• IPM Notice For Newly Enrolled Students or New Staff - PDF - 21.63 KB
• Notice for Parents/Guardians of a Pesticide Application to a School Building or on School Grounds - PDF - 23.99 KB
• Notice for School Staff of a Pesticide Application to a School Building or on School Grounds - PDF - 23.27 KB
• Notice for Parents/Guardians and Staff of an Emergency Pesticide Application - PDF - 18.08 KB
• Notice for Parents/Guardians and Staff of a Space Spray Application of Pesticides - PDF - 17.42 KB
• Notice/Posting Sign for a Pesticide Application Made in a School Building
• Notice/Posting Sign for Bait Stations - PDF - 30.2 KB
• Notification Requirements for Indoor and Outdoor Pesticide Applications made in a School Building or on School Grounds - PDF - 25.52 KB
• Sign Posting Requirements for Pesticide Applications made on School Grounds