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Crop and Pest Management Guidelines

A Cornell Cooperative Extension Publication
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1.12 Pesticide Use on School and Day Care Center Grounds

New York State Education and Social Service laws restrict the use of pesticides on playing fields, playgrounds, and turf at schools and day care centers. These laws allow only the following pesticide products to be used on these sites:

  • Antimicrobials;
  • Insecticides used to protect individuals from an imminent threat of a stinging or biting insect packaged in an aerosol can 18 ounces or smaller;
  • Non-volatile insect and rodent baits in tamper resistant containers;
  • Products containing boric acid or disodium octaborate tetrahydrate;
  • Horticultural oils and soaps that do not contain synthetic pesticides or synergists; and
  • Pesticides classified as exempt by the US EPA (the so-called minimum-risk or 25(b) pesticides).

State law provides for emergency exemptions if it's determined an emergency pesticide application is needed. These exemptions must be approved by the appropriate entity as defined in the law.

More information can be found in the final guidance document from the NYSDEC available online at: dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/pesticides/laws-regulations/pesticide-use-at-schools-day-care-centers.