The ABC’s of Eliminating Pests in the Classroom
What is IPM?
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is the use of a combination of strategies to
control pests. IPM is smarter and more effective than relying on pesticides
alone. By eliminating potential food, water, and living space for pests, and
sealing up their entry routes into buildings, the need for pesticides is greatly
reduced.
Pests and Classrooms
Generally speaking, classrooms are not particular vulnerable to pests. Most
classrooms lack the resources pests are looking for: food, water, moisture, and
warmth. There are exceptions however. The following is recommended with
regard to pest management in classrooms:

Monitor for pests. Classrooms with a high potential for pests should be
monitored using sticky traps and mouse monitoring stations. (Examples:
Home Economics room, or any classrooms with a history of pest pressure.)
Use a pest sighting log and have students and teachers report any pests they
may encounter to the proper person (e.g. the contact person for the pest
control technician).

Food in classrooms. As a general rule, the fewer places we store and
consume food in a school, the more we will be able to focus our pest control
efforts in those areas. If food is kept in classrooms it must be carefully stored
in pest-proof plastic containers or ziplock bags. Don’t overlook food items
such as beans or corn kernels that are not consumed but are used for games
or counting. These can become sources of pest infestations such as Indian
meal moths, saw-tooth grain beetles, or weevils. Food preparation areas and
serving tables must be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Insect monitors
should be installed in any classrooms where food is served on a regular
basis.

Classroom sinks. Cabinets under classroom sinks should be kept free of
clutter and accessible for inspection and pest treatment if necessary. A good
way to do this is to keep materials organized and in plastic containers that
can be moved for pest control inspection. Pipes leading into walls should be
tightly sealed with escutheon plates (“pipe collars”) and should be checked
regularly for leaks. Remember that most pests thrive where water and
moisture are available.
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
Pets in classrooms. Keeping pets in classrooms may provide valuable
learning opportunities as well as fun for students, but can lead to pest
infestations if pets are not properly managed. Keep all pet food stored in
plastic containers with tight-sealing lids and be careful to clean up any spilled
foods promptly. Pet cages and aquariums must be cleaned on a regular
basis. Don’t place aquariums or cages on closed wooden stands that create
a “pest cave.” Ideally, the area under, around, and behind the pet habitat
should be readily accessible for cleaning and inspection. Inspect aquariums
regularly to assure that there is no water leakage.

Clutter and pests go hand-in-hand. The biggest potential pest threat in
most classrooms is clutter. Many pests, including cockroaches, spiders, and
mice thrive in areas cluttered with papers, cardboard boxes, and other
materials. Pests gravitate towards cluttered areas because clutter enables
pests to hide and reproduce undisturbed from predators and people. Clutter
control is essential in classrooms to reduce potential habitats for pests. Keep
materials organized in plastic storage boxes with lids if possible. Eliminate
cardboard wherever you can. Try to store items several inches away from
walls so that storage areas can be easily inspected for pests.

Don’t store pesticides! When a pest problem is identified, the custodial staff
or the pest management professional should be contacted to resolve it.
Storage and use of over-the-counter aerosol products by teachers and staff
can be more of a threat to children’s health than the pests themselves. Many
products found on school shelves may be several years old and may be
ineffective or illegal to use! Also, these products often do little more than
drive a pest into deeper harborage. Pests should be controlled as part of an
overall pest management program, not willy-nilly or vigilante style.
Play it smart…Use IPM!