Indoor School IPM Strategies
Typical Problem Pests Indoors
- Ants
- Cockroaches
- Flies
- Microorganisms
- Mice
- Rats
- Spiders
- Termites
Entryways for Pests
- Doorways
- Electrical fixtures and ducts
- Openings around pipes
- Overhead doors
- Screened areas around fans, air conditioners and building ventilation outlets
- Windows
Strategies
- Keep exterior doors shut when not in use
- Place weather stripping around doors
- Caulk and seal openings in walls
- Make sure screens are correct size for exclusion and in good repair
- Keep vegetation at least one foot from the structure
Common Use Rooms
- Classrooms
- Gymnasiums
- Hallways
- Offices
- Performance Hall/Auditorium
Strategies
- Allow food and beverages only in designated areas
- Keep indoor plants healthy
- Keep areas dry as possible by removing standing water and water damaged and wet materials
- In all classrooms that have animals, store feed in sealed containers and regularly clean cages
- Remove dust, trash and debris in all areas
- Routinely clean lockers and desks
- Encourage students to clean backpacks regularly, especially of food debris
- Frequently vacuum carpeted areas
Food Preparation and Serving Areas
- Dining Hall
- Food Storage Rooms
- Kitchen
- Teacher’s Lounge
- Vending Machine Rooms
Strategies
- Store food in containers that are inaccessible to pests
- Store waste in containers that are inaccessible to pests
- Remove all waste at the end of each day
- Place screens on vents, windows and floor drains
- Remove all food debris including crumbs
- Fix dripping faucets and other water leaks
- Promptly clean food preparation equipment after use
- Caulk or paint to seal cracks and crevices
Rooms with Extensive Plumbing
- Bathrooms
- Crew spaces
- Locker rooms
- Rooms with a sink
Strategies
- Keep areas dry
- Promptly repair leaks and correct other plumbing problems
- Routinely clean floor drains, strainers and grates
- Store paper products or cardboard boxes away from moist areas and direct contact with the floors
Maintenance Areas
- Janitorial rooms
- Mechanical rooms
Strategies
- Allow eating only in designated rooms
- Empty and clean trash cans regularly
- Use plastic liners in trash cans
- Keep areas as clean and dry as possible
- Store paper products or cardboard boxes away from moist areas and direct contact with the floors and walls
- Avoid storing cardboard and paper for long periods of time
Outdoor School IPM Strategies
Typical Problem Pests Outdoors
- Bats
- Birds
- Mice
- Rats
Turf Pests
- Broadleaf Weeds
- Grassy Weeds
- Turf Diseases
- Insects
- Beetle Grubs
- Sod Webworms
- Ants
- Mole Crickets
- Chinch Bugs
Ornamental Pests
- Broadleaf Weeds
- Grassy Weeds
- Plant Diseases
- Insects
- Caterpillars
- Thrips
- Aphids
- Scales
- Whiteflies
- Bagworms
- Bees
- Wasps
Common Use Paved Areas
- Loading Docks
- Parking Lots
- Refuse Dumpsters
Strategies
- Regularly clean trash containers and gutters
- Keep trash containers away from doorways
- Regularly remove all waste and paper debris
- Secure lids on trash containers
- Repair cracks in pavement and sidewalks
- Provide adequate drainage
Common Use Turf Areas
- Athletic Fields
- Lawns
- Playgrounds
Strategies
- Select turf type best adapted for the area
- Adjust mowing height to grass type
- Vary mowing patterns to reduce soil compaction
- Provide good drainage
- Aerate soil as needed
- Irrigate only when allowed and if the turf needs water
- Do not over or under water turf
- Follow local watering restrictions and fertilizer ordinances
- Have soil analyzed to determine fertilizer requirements
- Time fertilizer applications at an appropriate time
- Periodically inspect turf for evidence of pests including diseases
Ornamental Shrubs and Trees
Strategies
- Apply fertilizer to annuals and perennials during active growing season
- Apply fertilizer to trees and shrubs early in the growth season or during the dormant season
- Follow local fertilizer ordinances
- Prune branches to improve plants and prevent access by pest to structures
- Periodically inspect plants for evidence of pests or diseases
- If a plant disease recurs and requires too many resources to keep the plant healthy, remove the susceptible plant
- Select replacement plants from among the disease resistant types
- Do not over or under water turf
