Integrated Pest Management

Pests can’t become a problem if they can’t enter the school. A thorough inspection is required to identify pest entry areas such as broken screens, un-sealed doors, foundation cracks and ventilation systems. Broken screens should be repaired or replaced, foundation cracks sealed, ventilation systems screened, and doorsweeps should be added to keep out mice. Focus on repairing areas of biggest concern and move on from there. Maintaining a tight building will effectively prevent pest infestations, and can have the added bonus of decreasing heating and cooling costs.

All living things need three things to survive: food, water, and shelter. If any of these necessities are removed, the environment becomes hostile to pests. Removing food and water sources and keeping those areas sanitized is key to controlling pest infestation. Using green cleaning methods, cleaning to the corners, and limiting eating to easily-cleaned areas will help to eliminate pest problems. Garbage and recycling should be removed from the building every night, and stored in closed containers that are cleaned consistently. In addition, leaking faucets and pipes should be repaired and standing water eliminated. Regular inspections will help to locate problem areas and prioritize actions.

Once a pest enters a building, it will look for a safe place to hide. IPM ensures they won’t find one, or at least minimizes the number of options. Dark, quiet places such as cracks and crevices, wall voids (the space inside walls where the pipes run), and cluttered areas, as well as appliances (large and small) and vending machines are preferred nesting areas. Cracks and crevices can be sealed using caulk or other appropriate sealants. Wall voids, which may be accessed through holes in the wall, electrical conduits and even pipes under sinks, may be sealed using the appropriate media. If mice are a problem, stuff the hole with steel wool before sealing it. Mice hate steel wool and will not gnaw through it. Appliances should be thoroughly inspected for cleanliness and pest activity. Other areas to be aware of are wall space behind posters, cork and black boards, and loose tiles and baseboards.

Clutter may also hide evidence of a growing pest problem. Keeping neat and organized makes it easy for maintenance, custodial and pest professionals to identify problem areas. A cluttered storage room, for example, is impossible to clean properly, inspect for spills or damage, and scour for pest evidence like droppings or nesting activities. Open shelving and regular cleaning can help reduce clutter. Schools may schedule de-cluttering days to help teachers and other staff make a habit of maintaining a neat, pest-free facility.

Most pests are nocturnal, making it difficult to detect their activities while school is in session. Yet there are ways to monitor for pest activity without staying up all night. Monitoring traps that continuously check for pest activity can be placed in out-of-the-way places along baseboards or under large appliances, desks and equipment. These sticky traps are designed to stop insects and other pests, including baby mice, in their tracks, and offer valuable information to pest control operators as they try to locate high-traffic areas and identify the pest. This information helps the operator choose the correct method of control and minimize pesticide use. A good monitoring program in essential to IPM success.

Treatment options can be assessed once a school has identified the pest(s) and location(s) of the problem, reduced food and water sources, and removed hiding places. Initial treatment options should be non-chemical, such as vacuuming and trapping. If further treatment is needed, gel and containerized baits are safer alternatives and should be used instead of sprays, bombs or fumigants. Baits stay put and are designed to contact the targeted pest only. Sprays, bombs, and fumigants contain small particles that can drift into unintended targets, including carpets, desks, and lunchroom tables, increasing the likelihood of contact with children.