It is important to keep schools free from pests for the health, safety and well-being of children. In a community such as Ashburn, VA where the neighborhoods and school systems are blossoming, pest control in the home has to be safe for the kids, yet effective. Schools are high-traffic zones and spots that can be teeming with pests such as ants, cockroaches, rodents, and, yes, even bed bugs, particularly in cafeterias, locker rooms and classrooms. But the risk of children having exposure to strong chemical pesticides is a real daunting one and so it’s absolutely essential that we use responsible, safe pest management methods.
In this blog post Learn how schools in Ashburn can take control of pest management and prevention with an emphasis on student health and safety.
Implement an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program
If you take action you should do it the way that is the least toxic to the children, which is IPM. (IPM emphasizes prevention over long term control through chemical measures). Virginia has several school districts, including those of Loudoun County, that support the adoption of IPM as the new norm for pest eradication.
Some of the most important principles of IPM include the following:
- Inspection and monitoring on regular basis
- Pest identification and infestation level estimation
- Elimination of food, water, and shelter
- Physiological barriers and maintenance to entry blockers
- Trapping and other Non-chemical Methods
- Low-level pesticide usage as and when necessary
Keep Your Space Clean and Orderly
The first line of attack is cleanliness. Training for school custodians and staff should include procedures for maintaining regular daily sanitation as a means of reducing pest attractants. These include:
- Wiping up spills of food and drink at once
- Storing food in airtight containers, including in classrooms and teacher beaks
- Empty trash cans every day and use a lid!
- Frequent cleaning of lockers and lost-and-found bins
- Repairing plumbing leaks to reduce moisture accumulation
In commercial kitchens, including cafeterias, aggressive sanitation of kitchen appliances, storage areas, and dining facilities are needed to avoid pests including cockroaches and rodents.
Gaps around windows and doors
Eliminate paper clutter and other debris in classrooms and storage areas that can provide pests with easily accessible harborage and will not only make routine inspections easier but eliminate places pests could be hiding.
Opt for Child-Safe Pest Control Products
If chemical applications are required, only low-toxicity, EPA-approved products should be used and applications should be made when children are not around – such as weekends or school vacations. Skip the aerosol sprays, and look for gels, baits or traps in tamper-proof containers.
It is also crucial to alert staff and parents in writing, in advance, that pesticides will be used, per school safety protocols in Loudoun County. Always keep pesticides in locked areas removed from classrooms, and have only licensed professionals apply them.
Train Employees and Promote Reporting
Pest issues are usually reported by teachers, by custodians, even by the food service workers. Teach all staff about the signs of a pest infestation and how to report them to the proper authorities in a timely manner. The key to rapid and safe resolution is early detection to avoid large infestations.
Ask teachers and staff to reduce amounts of food kept in desks, close classroom windows when not needed and store teaching supplies in airtight plastic bins.
Work with a Local IPM-Certified Pest Control Provider
Ashburn schools should contract with a licensed pest control company experienced in safe, school-based IPM. These pros can make regular checkups, find trouble spots, and quickly deal with any pest if a problem arises with safe and lawful solutions.
Selecting a local company means, they’re familiar with pests specific to the Ashburn area, with faster, on-site response times.
Keeping Ashburn schools pest-free is not just a maintenance issue, it’s a health and safety issue. Using Integrated Pest Management policies, keeping clean schools, and using enough resources to hire trained experts, schools can control pests responsibly and safely for students. With vigilance and best practices, Ashburn’s schools can continue to be safe spaces where children can thrive.
