Schools and government buildings should welcome the public, not pests. Unfortunately, pests don’t know or care that they are unwelcome intruders and see school and government buildings as open spaces for feeding and breeding.
School rules and government regulations can’t stop pests, but commercial pest control services can treat pests and help prevent the problems they cause.
Related: How to Keep Pests out of Schools
In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promotes the expanded use of a smart, safe and sustainable approach to pest control in schools through Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs like the one offered by Terminix Commercial. The EPA even offers a school IPM recognition and certification program to recognize school districts that have successfully implemented IPM programs. School IPM grants are also offered by the EPA, as funds are available, to support school adoption of IPM programs.
Common Pests Found In Schools and Government Buildings
Here are some of the pests of concern in schools, according to the EPA, that may also threaten government buildings and how Terminix Commercial can help:
Rodents
Potential problems: In addition to being unsightly, rodent gnawing can damage structures, equipment and electrical wiring. Rodents can also carry pathogens that cause several diseases. They can ruin merchandise and contaminate food and packaging materials as well.
How Terminix Commercial can help: With extensive experience in commercial facility rodent identification and control, professional technicians can employ traps, baits, and physical barriers specifically designed to catch rodents and help prevent entry.
Cockroaches
Potential problems: Cockroaches can trigger allergic reactions in some people, as well as spread bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella. They can establish large infestations very quickly, sometimes in populations of hundreds and even thousands.
How Terminix Commercial can help: The proven Terminix Commercial Five-Step System for Cockroach Control is based on an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program that neutralizes cockroach problems at the source, resulting in an immediate and noticeable reduction in pest activity.
Flies
Potential problems: Flies can be annoying and irritating, increasing in population during the summer season. Some types of flies can bite, and they have been known to carry pathogens that may cause disease. They can also contaminate food and packaging materials and can be difficult to control.
How Terminix Commercial can help: Terminix® Commercial Fly Control is a customized, proactive approach that reduces fly problems through trapping tools at key entry points and sanitation methods to help deter them. Solutions such as drain fly removal and ultraviolet Insect Light Traps (ILTs) are also used to help attract and capture flies
Related > Tips For Solving Fly Problems
Mosquitoes
Potential problems: Mosquitoes can cause itchy, painful bites and can carry pathogens that may cause diseases. They can breed in very shallow water and can be hard to control.
How Terminix Commercial can help: Terminix Commercial has a three-step process for mosquito control to help keep them from annoying your customers.
Termites
Potential problems: Termites are destructive, causing structural damage to buildings. Found in every U.S. state except Alaska, they can cause damage long before they leave any visible signs.
How Terminix Commercial can help: Terminix Commercial offers several different termite treatments to help keep your business safe from unexpected and potentially costly damage and repairs.
Birds
Potential problems: Besides being frightening to some people, birds can carry pathogens that can cause diseases and leave unsanitary droppings that may create slip-and-fall hazards. Their nesting can also be infested with bird mites. They can damage property and contaminate products, as well as increase maintenance costs for cleaning and repair work.
How Terminix Commercial can help: Terminix Commercial strategies to solve bird problems and to help prevent future ones include control gel, wire barriers, spikes and shock treatments, along with other science-based tactics. Terminix Commercial technicians have knowledge of local bird species and undergo protocol training.
Bed Bugs
Potential problems: Because bed bugs are hitchhikers, they are not only in beds, but can be found on people’s clothing or other personal items. According to the EPA, bed bugs do not infest people, they only feed on them. They can cause itchy bites and allergic reactions for some people.
How Terminix Commercial can help: Professional inspections help detect bed bug infestations early and customized, state-of-the art treatments help eliminate the pests quickly.
Wildlife
Potential problems: In addition to rodents, wildlife such as squirrels, raccoons, birds and other small animals can cause significant damage to buildings and leave behind unsanitary droppings.
How Terminix Commercial can help: After performing a comprehensive inspection of the property, Terminix Commercial trained professionals will identify the culprits, their points of entry and create a customized action plan with exclusion solutions to help keep wildlife out.
Of course, there are additional pests that can pose problems for schools and government buildings, such as:
- Ants
- Bees
- Wasps
- Gnats
- Millipedes
- Ticks
Terminix Commercial has effective pest control plans using IPM to address specific pest issues, with professional, trained technicians who are knowledgeable about particular pest threats commonly found in your local area. The EPA has information on how to increase the effectiveness of an IPM program as well as webinars on the subject.
