Attending school should be filled with adventure and new, exciting experiences. Students and teachers shouldn’t be concerned about fighting pests; the diseases that they carry and the damage they can do to their property!
Abundant food
Pest infestations in schools has become a very real threat in recent years.
Schools have an abundant supply of food, water and shelter for all kinds of pests – they thrive off forgotten lunches in bags and lockers, sticky messes on tables, cozy spaces in between broken bathroom tiles, gym showers with poor drainage systems and poorly maintained garbage areas.
Abundant openings and transport
Pests enter buildings through doorways, windows, small cracks and even as stowaways in personal belongings such as backpacks etc. Infestations are more likely to occur in schools as a result of the high number of people entering the building on a daily basis.
What should schools do?
It is very important for schools to have protocols to be able to identify and report pest sightings. Once a pest has been seen, it should be reported to the maintenance manager or principal of the school as soon as possible so that they can notify the relevant pest professionals. Unfortunately,
a pest sighting usually means that there is already an infestation!
Why should schools watch out for pests?
Infestations in schools create huge problems, some of which include damage to property and spreading of diseases. Schools need to adhere to strict health and safety rules set by the Department of Education. If these levels of health and safety are not met, the school could be shut down until such time that it is no longer a danger to staff and learners.
The most common Pests found in schools are:
- Ants
- Cockroaches
- Flies
- Rodents
- Mosquitos
- Termites
What can you do to reduce pests at your school?
- Restrict areas where food may be consumed
- Dispose of garbage bags off-site regularly
- Clean the garbage area regularly
- Fix any water leaks
- Clean spills immediately
- Seal cracks
- Keep tree branches and bushes trimmed away from the building
What can parents do to reduce pests at school?
- Clean out your child’s school bag every day
- Make sure food is sent to school in sealed containers
What we can do to reduce pests at school:
The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to pest control is ideal for the school environment as it teaches our children responsibility towards the environment. IPM is a knowledge driven approach to managing pests, focusing on the long term prevention of future infestations using environmentally friendly control methods. It is cost effective and safe to implement in a school environment.
Tips for selecting the correct pest management company for your school:
- Educate yourself about IPM by visiting our website regularly for information
- Speak to the Pest Control Professionals beforehand to see if they practice IPM
- Ask for references
- Don’t rush your decision. You are paying for professional knowledge.
We have so many other issues to worry about in these strange times. Let’s not let pests become one of them!
Think Smart, Think SMARTSENZ® IPM!
