EUGENE, Ore. – A new state law went into effect this month requiring Oregon schools try nonchemical methods for ridding pests from school grounds, The Register-Guard reports.

The law requires schools to practice integrated pest management, which allows pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals to still be used, but as a last rather than first resort, the newspaper reported.

Tim Stock, integrated pest management education specialist at Oregon State University, told The Register-Guard because school children are still growing and developing, they are more at risk for harm from pest control chemicals.

A state licensed operator will be required to deploy a chemical solution on Oregon school grounds as well, the newspaper reported. This may either be a pest control professional or a school employee that has obtained a license.

Read more at The Register-Guard.

(Source: The Register-Guard)