By Thorn Team • Dec 22nd 2022
Schools present a complex and unique environment when it comes to pest control, primarily because:
Schools present a complex and unique environment when it comes to pest control, primarily because:
On top of this, schools generally run on tight budgets, meaning when a pest control issue pops up, the funds may not be there to hire professional help. Luckily, many creative and natural pest solutions save money and avoid the overuse of chemicals.
Integrated pest management, or IPM, is a multi-faceted approach to pest control. IPM considers the entire building and surrounding ecosystem when addressing pests, and aims to utilize natural control methods using safe, targeted pesticide applications only when necessary.
Control methods used in an IPM program typically involve things like:
SOME QUICK ADVICE FROM Thorn: The state of Utah recommends that every school (or at least each district) has a minimum of one person on staff with a pesticide applicator license, but there’s a problem with this.
A pesticide license isn’t the same thing as experience in pest control.
If there’s a licensed pro on staff, your school might decide to perform its pest control in-house, but you should still hire a pest professional to formulate an IPM program specific to your school’s needs. This is the best way to ensure your pest control program is budget-friendly, well-rounded, effective, and safe.
And lastly? Schools should try to find the budget to perform pest control properly. Pest control needs to be prioritized in the school budget, so large-scale and ongoing pest issues don’t become a recurring disruption in your students’ learning environment or a risk to their wellbeing (and their families). School pest programs don’t need to break the bank, but pest control isn’t always the best place for schools to try and cut expenses.
Many factors in a school environment can present pest challenges, such as:
Unfortunately, some of the dirtiest pests are the most attracted to school environments, pests that can spread illness and filth like rodents and cockroaches. These issues need to be handled quickly and efficiently. If pest problems aren’t resolved, the health and safety of the students are at risk.
With over 15 years of experience managing pest problems for Utah schools, Thorn Pest Solutions can help you exterminate your doubt regarding school pest control and give you thorough and detailed reporting about every bit of work we do.
Schools should conduct regular inspections of PVAs or Pest Vulnerable Areas. These are areas that:
Identify which areas provide these things and focus your pest control efforts on those places first and foremost. Other areas (non-pest vulnerable areas) should still receive some attention but can be inspected less often.
Regularly inspect the outside of the building for any pest activity, especially wasps and stinging pests. Considering some students could be allergic to these pests, they should be dealt with quickly before they become a more significant health risk.
When an inspection is performed, a detailed report should be written, so the school has a record of what was inspected, what was found, and what was done to solve the problem.
To remedy pest issues at a school, the focus should always be on non-chemical controls, like:
SOME QUICK ADVICE FROM Thorn: Never underestimate the power of thorough vacuuming. A vacuum is an excellent tool in the fight against pests. They’re great for combating indoor spiders, carpet beetles, cockroaches, and other bothersome intruders. Heat treatments for specific problems can also be helpful, but chemicals should be used carefully and never when students are present.
Monitoring means keeping an eye on pest populations to see what they’re up to. If you want an all-inclusive pest program, you’ll need to monitor separately for the following pests:
Whenever work is done, those in charge of the school should receive inspection reports, monitor reports, and service reports for their records. This is something a professional pest control company can provide with ease, where school maintenance staff is often too busy to document so many details adequately. This is where having a pest professional on your side can reduce stress exponentially.
Knowing what’s happening with pest populations around the building will help the school (and pest control company) stop infestations before they reach out-of-control levels. Having a pest control company to help will also ensure that any products applied are done so legally and with documentation, per state requirements.
Much work goes into proper pest control. If you’re located in Utah, Thorn Pest Solutions can help eradicate your pest stresses. We’ll handle all the inspections, monitoring, treatments, and reporting so you and your staff can prioritize your students and their families.
One of the primary defenses against pest issues in a large building like a school is open communication between the school administration and the people who spend the most time inside the classrooms.
Administrators can’t see everything all the time, and they need to rely on other people present (especially teachers, staff, and volunteers) to report pest issues. If you need further information to prepare your team better for this task, you’re in luck! We wrote the guide on commercial pest control, and we’re Here to Help anytime you need us.
If you’re looking for practical and budget-conscious school pest control in Utah, look no further than Thorn Pest Solutions. There’s a reason schools and universities in Utah trust us with their pest control needs.
From the office to the field, every job we do is as professional and efficient as possible. With detailed reporting throughout the entire process, you won’t need to worry about keeping your pest control records up to date. We’ll do that for you!
Schools have an important job, and so do pest control companies. Let’s work together to ensure your students learn in a safe and pest-free environment every day.
Thorn is a Utah local pest management company. We are a QualityPro certified company which is a prestigious accreditation awarded too less than 3% of the pest management companies in the US.
Thorn is a Utah local pest management company. We are a QualityPro certified company which is a prestigious accreditation awarded too less than 3% of the pest management companies in the US.
