Pests can find homes in many places in and around school campuses that can ultimately result in major hazards. There are concentrated areas that may have more pest activity such as cafeterias, classrooms, gyms, locker rooms, lockers, dumpsters, buses, landscaped areas, school grounds, athletic fields, dorm rooms, the list goes on.
10 Common Pest Infestations
Rodents
When mice or rats invade a school, they chew on anything that resembles food or nesting material, including cardboard boxes, books, art projects, plastic bags and their contents, and electrical wires. Mice and rats can transmit parasites, diseases, and aggravate allergies.
Gophers
Activity from gophers can cause mounds and holes in football fields and playgrounds causing tripping hazards. Gophers can also carry diseases like rabies, the plague, hantavirus, and monkeypox.
Ants
In a school environment, ants can be a big nuisance as they invade buildings in search of food and shelter. Ants are often found in school classrooms, cafeterias, kitchens, offices, lockers, locker rooms, gyms, and other areas.
Cockroaches
Carriers of bacteria, that can cause salmonella, staphylococcus, and streptococcus if deposited in food. Additionally, cockroach feces, skin sheddings, and saliva can cause asthma and allergies, especially in children.
Bed Bugs
Common areas of bed bug infestations can happen in preschools, dorm rooms or other areas where students and staff rest or sit for a time. Bed bugs can also hitchhike from an infested home onto a student’s possessions, bringing them into school environments.
Spiders
School kitchens, libraries and other isolated areas in schools are prime areas where spiders can be found. Schools should especially be careful of black widows and brown recluse spiders that are highly venomous.
Mosquitos
Bites from mosquitos can result in infections, allergic reaction, irritation, redness, and itching. Mosquitos can also be carriers of West Nile Virus, Malaria, Encephalitis, Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever, Chikungunya virus, Lyme disease and more.
Bees and Wasps
Some people can be highly allergic to stings from bees and wasps – even for those who are not allergic to the sting, the result can be painful. While honeybees can only sting once, carpenter bees, bumblebees, and wasps can sting over and over again.
Ticks
Schoolyards located in and around wooded areas, paths, and cross-country trails are places that ticks are present. Ticks are a health risk because they feed on the blood of humans and can transmit several diseases, including Lyme disease.
Flies
As a result of breeding and feeding on animal waste, garbage, and human foods, flies can carry and transmit numerous diseases. Flies are also known for carrying bacteria and viruses that can cause diarrhea, food poisoning, dysentery, and eye infections.
Pest infestations on school campuses can be expensive and hazardous. Advanced IPM offers no-charge evaluations to find the right pest management program for each circumstance. Give us a call today!