Top 5 Pests Problems in Schools/Universities

 

Top 5 Pests Problems in Schools/Universities

Commercial Pests

Unfortunately, pests are everywhere. As much as we would like to think that places such as hotels, restaurants, and schools are pest-free, these places are still at risk of pest problems. The following are the top five most common potential pest problems in schools/univeristies.

5. Roaches

Both schools and universities are at risk of these sneaky, dirty pests. It’s not surprising that roaches are drawn to such inviting atmospheres. Schools and universities provide protection from the elements, access to water, and even a variety of food. There is also typically a significant number of places to hide, and they remain undisturbed when they are active at night. Poor sanitation can often lead to roach problems. While custodians often eliminate this potential problem by cleaning daily after school hours, the problem of cleanliness is particularly concerning when living in dormitories at a university. If your neighbors are leaving their rooms or the common areas unkept, it could lead to roach problems in the housing community. Unfortunately, even if dorms, universities, and schools are kept very clean and tidy, they can still be at risk of a roach infestation. Roaches have a tendency to lurk in sewers and pipe systems, finding their way into schools through these means. They are also master of hitchhikers that can use boxes, bags, backpacks, and other items to find their way inside.

4. Rodents

Of course, this doesn’t mean the little classroom pet named “Squeakers,” wild rats and mice can find their way into schools and be a major problem. Rodents can carry a variety of very dangerous diseases and can also cause a significant amount of destruction to schools if they make their way inside. Thankfully, the amount of activity in and around schools can help to prevent rodents, but if the building is not properly secured, you may still encounter a rodent problem. These pests are particularly drawn to sources of food such as cafeterias, food in dorms, garbage, etc. This is why it is very important to ensure that food is properly disposed of, no food is left out for long periods of time, and that cafeterias and kitchens are meticulously cleaned.

3. Flies

Flies are a unique kind of pest that appears in response to a particular stimulus. In the case of schools, the attractant is typically food or garbage. Unfortunately, fly infestations are not something exterminators can treat because it is typically due to a sanitation issue. If whatever is attracting the flies is removed and cleaned up, the flies will go away.

2. Ants

Ants come in second on our list as they are one of the most common pests across the entire planet. There are approximately 1 quadrillion (1,000,000,000,000,000) ants, made up of 12,000 different species, alive on Earth today. With such an insanely large population, these pests massively outnumber all other creatures on our plant. They operate within large familial populations and strategically work as a unit for the best interests of their colony. Without frequent pest control applications, it is very easy for ants to access schools. They can slip through the smallest cracks and crevices. Their aim is not only to find shelter, but to gain access to the plethora of food stored in the cafeterias or kid’s lunch boxes. They are particularly prevalent during the warmer months and are even occasionally carried into schools from the playground by curious youngsters.

1. Bed Bugs

While not super common, bed bugs are typically the most dreaded and problematic of all infestations that school face. These infamous pests are master hitchhikers, making them a real concern due to the public nature of schools. Hundreds or even thousands of students, teachers, staff, parents, etc. are in and out of school buildings consistently, putting all of these areas at risk of these parasitic pests. Due to their tiny size and flat-shaped bodies, bed bugs can hide in a variety of areas including clothing, bags, backpacks, furniture, blankets, toys, purses, briefcases, boxes, wheelchairs, and more. While dorms are of particular concern regarding bed bugs, these bloodsuckers can also reside in classes, the school’s auditorium, gyms, cafeterias, offices, and basically anywhere that isn’t extremely hot or cold. If there is a bed bug outbreak at your school/university, professional extermination services should be brought in immediately to limit the risk of the problem spreading.

Professional Protection

At Pointe Pest control, we take pride in protecting our local schools/universities from all sorts of pests. As a locally owned and operated company, we consider it an honor to be able to take such an important role in our community’s health and safety. If you or your school is experiencing a problem with pests, call us today for quick, friendly, and targeted pest control services.

Citations

C, R. (2018) How Many Ants Live on Earth and # More Interesting Ant Facts, Ants.com. Available at: https://ants.com/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-and-more-interesting-ant-facts/ (Accessed: April 7, 2021).