NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Now that the new school year is underway, Assured Environments, one of the pest control industry's top companies and servicing the New Jersey/New York City area, wants educational institutions and schools to understand the importance of effectively preparing their facility with a preventative pest control plan. With fall season in swing, all types of pests are actively searching for niches that are concealed from harsh winter weather to stockpile food. In addition, school buildings experience a constant opening of doors that allow opportunistic rodents and insects the chance to run inside the building, unnoticed and eager to establish their home.
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Preventing Rodent Problems In Schools
According to Facilities Management, rat and mice infestations are most common during fall and winter. Rodents aggressively search for sheltered, warm places to avoid unsavory temperatures and lack of food resources. Unfortunately, schools provide the perfect environment for rats and mice seeking a winter sanctuary, with plenty of spaces in which to hide and an endless supply of food scraps to discover underneath desks, in lockers and around garbage cans.
Common house or field mice need holes less than 1/4 of an inch in size through which to squeeze and begin infesting a school. Unless preventative measures are taken, rodent hairs, droppings and urine trails will quickly contaminate an educational facility and possibly spread diseases or cause allergic reactions among susceptible students.
The Centers for Disease Control website states that certain diseases can be indirectly transmitted by rodents. Common diseases emerging from rodent infestations include Lyme disease, endemic typhus and scrub typhus, which are all caused by infected ticks parasitizing the rodents.
Infestation Deterrence Methods Recommended by Assured Environments
In addition to maintaining optimal building integrity with regular roof and structural inspections, school building administrators are strongly urged to perform the following preventative pest control actions:
- Immediately address sources of moisture leaks–a rodent infestation often begins when neglected water leaks promote a steady water source for rodents.
- Replace damaged window screens and old door sealings
- Reduce exterior and interior clutter to a minimum by utilizing good storage techniques (items left piled in rarely used rooms or out-of-the-way exterior areas provide attractive nesting places for rodents).
- Keep all garbage contained in metal cans with tight-fitting lids.
Pest Problems Affect Schools All Year Long
While rodent problems often plague New York City/New Jersey area schools during fall and winter, educational facilities are also vulnerable to insect infestations throughout the school year. Ants, cockroaches, beetles and even bedbugs can create unhealthy conditions within 72 hours of an initial population outbreak, causing the school to disrupt classes by needing to shut down so that pests can be eliminated.
To learn more about Assured Environments and its pioneering approach to pest management, visit the company's website at http://www.assuredenvironments.com or call 888-862-2580. You can also connect with them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/assuredenv, Twitter at https://twitter.com/AssuredEnviron, LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/assured-environments or by reading their blog at http://www.assuredenvironments.com/blog.
Media Contact:
Maxine Adams
212-709-7233