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Pesticide Management

Promoting safe and responsible pesticide use across campus operations—protecting the health of our community, our environment, and our shared spaces.

Jason Haney

Your EHS contact for Pesticide Management
[email protected]
814-865-6391

Pesticides are used at Penn State in crop production, greenhouses, research, insect and rodent control in food storage and housing areas, livestock or other animal husbandry, mosquito control on water bodies, turfgrass management, termite control, pool management, and in the production of ornamental gardens, parks, and grounds. It is in everyone’s interest that the pesticides be used as minimally and as safely as possible. The purpose of the Penn State Pesticide Management Program is to address the health, safety, and environmental considerations of using pesticides.

NOTE: All faculty and staff pest complaints should be reported to their respective Facility Coordinators.  All student pest control complaints should be reported to their Resident Advisor.

Woman with a backpack sprayer outside spraying the base of a Tree.

Program Applicability

This program applies to:

  • University employees, visitors, and students (non‑employees) who apply pesticides as part of University activities.
  • Individuals who work, study, or conduct research at agricultural facilities where pesticides are applied, including:
    • Nurseries
    • Farms
    • Greenhouses
    • Laboratories
    • Research centers
  • Work units that contract with vendors for pesticide applications.

Pesticides include, but are not limited to:

  • Bee spray
  • Ant traps
  • Herbicides
  • Fungicides
  • Insecticides
  • Swimming pool chemicals

Program Requirements

General Requirements:

  • Each work unit must maintain a business license as a public applicator, as required.
  • Only certified pesticide applicators may apply pesticides or oversee pesticide applications.
  • Work units must dispose of pesticide waste through EHS or CHEMSWEEP.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

  • Identify individuals who require pesticide training and ensure they complete required training.
  • Provide appropriate safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure employees use it.
  • Ensure the work unit follows Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles.

Pesticide Applicator Responsibilities:

  • Read and follow all pesticide label directions.
  • Maintain accurate pesticide application records.
  • Provide proper notification to appropriate parties before applying pesticides.

Training Requirements for work units:

  • Ensure certified applicators receive training in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) requirements.
  • Provide applicators with hands‑on training for pesticide application equipment.
  • Ensure Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training is provided to agricultural workers, including students, at least every five years.

Inspection and Audit Requirements for work units:

  • Inspect pesticide storage areas monthly.
  • Audit program implementation annually.

Program Maintenance for work units:

  • Conduct an annual inventory of all pesticides at their facility.

Recordkeeping Requirements

  • Pesticide application records and hypersensitivity/notification records for three years.
  • Worker Protection Standard training records for five years.

Documents and Forms

Penn State University Pesticide Management Program Manual (Revised 7/22)

  • What Are Pesticides and Who Can Apply Them
  • The Worker Protection Standard – Does It Apply to Me?
  • Integrated Pest Management at Penn State
  • Agricultural Crops Pesticide Use program overview
  • Contracted Vendors Pesticide Use
  • Greenhouse Pesticide Use program overview
  • Indoor Pesticide Use program overview
  • Landscape Pesticide Use program overview
  • Research Pesticide Use program overview
  • Swimming Pool Pesticide Use program overview
  • Working Safely on Pesticide Application Equipment

Worker Protection Standard Respiratory Protection Guide - PERC

Pesticide Storage Area Sign

OSHA Heat Stress Card

Penn State Extension Pesticide Applicator Resources

Forms:

  • Monthly Pesticide Facility Checklist
  • Annual Pesticide Inventory Form 

General and Restricted Use Pesticide Application Records for Penn State Applicators Form 

  • Pesticide application notification
  • Pesticide Facility Annual Self Audit - Note, this form is available through the LionSafe platform
  • Pesticide Incident Accident Documentation
  • Pesticide Post-Incident Documentation
  • Pesticide Post-Incident Investigation
  • WPS - Acknowledgement of Worker Training
  • WPS – Acknowledgement of Handler Training
  • Eyewash Inspection Form (weekly eyewash schedule)

IPM Documents:

  • Pesticide Application Notification
  • University Park Indoor Integrated Pest Management Plan
  • Behrend Indoor Integrated Pest Managment Plan
  • University Park Landscape Integrated Pest Management Plan

Additional Resources

Program-Specific Information

Pesticide Contractors

All pesticide contractors performing work on Penn State–owned or leased property must comply with University requirements and all applicable federal and state regulations governing pesticide use.

Contractor Requirements

  • Hold current Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) commercial or public pesticide applicator certification appropriate to the work being performed.
  • Be employed by a PDA‑licensed pesticide application business.
  • Comply with the Penn State Pesticide Management Program and applicable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles.
  • Use only EPA‑registered pesticides and apply products strictly in accordance with label requirements and regulatory restrictions.
  • Coordinate pesticide applications with the appropriate Penn State department prior to application and follow all applicable notification requirements.
  • Maintain required pesticide application records and provide documentation to Penn State Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) upon request.
  • Ensure proper storage, handling, transport, and disposal of pesticides and pesticide‑related waste.

Penn State EHS reserves the right to review contractor credentials and application practices and may suspend pesticide activities that do not meet University or regulatory requirements.

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a stepwise approach to pest management that combines accurate knowledge of the pest and level of potential harm with multiple tactics to prevent, reduce or eliminate pests.  The emphasis is on using non-chemical means to address pest problems first, with an emphasis on preventing pest conducive conditions. 

At the University Park Campus, there are two IPM Plans—one for indoor pests and one for landscape pests.

Indoor Integrated Pest Management

The indoor Integrated Pest Management Committee was formed to address pest issues inside our buildings.  The committee meets on a regular basis to address emerging and on-going pest problems.  While we have been active since 2009, in 2015 we formalized this approach to pest management in the Integrated Pest Management Plan. 

If pesticides are to be applied that are other than the least toxic, as defined in the Integrated Pest Managemnt Plan, then notification to personnel in the building is required. The document Pesticide Application Notification provides information on this process.

  • University Park Indoor Integrated Pest Management Plan
  • Behrend Indoor Integrated Pest Managment Plan

Landscape Integrated Pest Management

The landscape IPM plan was formalized in 2019. The landscape Integrated Pest Management Committee meets quarterly to review on-going and emerging pest problems at the University Park Campus. 

University Park Landscape Integrated Pest Management Plan

Integrated Pest Management Resources