Pests that affect school environments in Bronx, NY, include anything from insects to rodents. Not only do many pests cause disease, but most are also unsightly and can tarnish the image of a school. In large enough numbers, certain pests can even cause structural damage to schools. Read on for essential information regarding commercial pest control for schools:
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Common Pests in Schools
In order to tackle the pests preying upon a school, you must know what you will be most likely to encounter. Pests of concern for schools include ants, cockroaches, and rodents, which may infiltrate places where food is stored and prepared. Bed bugs are also a concern and may be found in upholstered chairs and the beds in the nurse’s office. Lice, ticks, bees, and wasps can cause real harm to children and should be eradicated. Termites, if left to accumulate, can cause damage to the structure of a school.
Where to Look for Them
Schools are comprised of various places perfect for pests to call home. They are attracted to the cafeteria, for example, where food and water can be found to sustain them. They also tend to accumulate in untidy classrooms, desks, and closets where they can breed safely under the protection of clutter. They also prefer to breed in lockers and gyms, which are warm and poorly ventilated. Dumpsters in close proximity to the school are vulnerable to infestation by pests, as are school buses. In fact, school buses can pose unique challenges for pest control strategies. Any neglected part of the school grounds will serve as an undisturbed haven in which pests can breed and cause damage.
How to Control Pest Populations
In order to optimize the safety of children and staff, the ideal pest control strategy for a school involves the minimal use of pesticides. Many schools manage to reduce their pest populations with the use of very little pesticides by relying on an integrated approach to pest control. An integrated pest control strategy makes changes to school infrastructure and administration to prevent and control pest infestations without the extensive use of pesticides.
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It is also important that pest control strategies in schools minimize harm to the surrounding natural environment and other species. These strategies should not only be cost-effective but should also be easy to coordinate and apply.
Any integrated pest control strategy begins with monitoring pest populations to determine where they are concentrated. Thereafter, the number of pests infiltrating the school can be greatly reduced by removing any surrounding features that attract and sustain them.
As a preventative measure, the entire school can be surveyed for conditions that are conducive to the breeding and survival of pests. This goes hand-in-hand with improving the overall maintenance of the school, as poor conditions will have to be rectified as soon as they are identified. Ways to minimize the pest-friendliness of a school include distancing dumpsters from the school and cleaning the gutters to improve the flow of water away from the school. Leaking pipes, cracks, and crevices should all be repaired, and sanitation and cleanliness should be emphasized. One way to boost the effectiveness of integrated pest control is by making staff and students aware of the importance of their actions in attracting or deterring pests.