5 Most Common and Concerning Pests at School
5 Most Common and Concerning Pests at School
As schools begin to fill up with rejuvenated and excited students once again, there is another population that is still thriving despite the beginning of another school year: pests. The weather is still very warm in most areas of the country and will continue to be until autumn finally makes an appearance in a month or so. While pests are naturally a problem when they invade homes and businesses, it can be easy to overlook the issues that arise with pests in schools. Students of all ages and their teachers have enough to focus on and stress over without an army of ants or other numerous pests marching through the classroom.
Every region and state has its own recurring pest problems, but there are some that are issues in just about every part of the country. Many of these pests go beyond just being eyesores in the room; they are potentially harmful if they make contact with people through biting, stinging, or walking on our food. This fact is not meant to scare you or your children into completely avoiding the classroom altogether, as it is easy to prevent these pest risks with a few simple steps. With that in mind, let’s look at some of the most common harmful pests that do not respect the importance of the back-to-school season, along with prevention tips for teachers and students alike.
Stinging Insects
This is one of the more obvious concerning pests since the main threat is given away in the name. Stinging insects include any kind of insect that has the ability and will to sting a person, particularly when the nest is disturbed in any way. Honeybees, bumble bees, carpenter bees, wasps, and hornets are the most common in populated areas. These eusocial insects live in a nest near reliable food sources, particularly in flowers and nectar-producing greenery. Many schools have some land or plants around the campus, which means there is more of a risk of insects setting up shop nearby. This can be a particularly large issue if there are any students or teachers who are allergic to stings, of which there is likely at least one.
Both wasps and bees are constantly looking for delectable pollen and nectar, but their overall risk and demeanor are definitely different. Wasps are much more aggressive, whether they are actively hunting or not, and they have a more diverse diet. Young wasps eat insects while they are still confined to the nest, so adult wasps are also hunting for smaller insects while out and about. Flies, caterpillars, and spiders are common wasp food, which sounds great to us since that means less pests to annoy us. But it could be a double-edged sword of natural pest control, since this means that a higher insect population could signify nearby wasps that are looking to provide for their young.
Besides the natural attractors of bees and wasps, there are likely some materials and objects prevalent at schools that are drawing in these groups of pests. One is brightly colored clothing, or clothing that has some kind of floral pattern on it. Since they are always searching for bright flowers that house their beloved pollen and nectar, bees and wasps can get confused by a mass of flowery colors. This is why you may find you have a little striped friend hovering nearby when you decide to don a fun spring shirt. And since children typically wear a lot of color, they can inadvertently attract stinging pests now and then. Also, anything sugary and sticky is bound to draw in some kind of bee or wasp eventually. The juice spills and crumbs of sugary packaged snacks that are abundant at elementary schools are a stinging insect’s dream, since their natural diet of nectar gives them their sweet tooth in the first place.
Steps to Success: The first step to preventing stinging insects from invading the lunch area or classrooms is to remove the unnatural food sources. Clean all spills from the lunch tables and desks, especially if it is a sugary concoction that is likely to attract pests. It can even be a bonus teaching moment for the students if they do not normally clean up their messes. Also, seal all trash cans after lunch is over and remove them from an area that is easily accessed by pests. It is common to see wasps or hornets hovering over a food-filled garbage can as they hunt for protein and sugar, so this will remove that attraction for them. Another largely helpful tip is to fix any leaks in and around the classrooms, as water is an essential for pests like it is for any other living being. If you or any students see a nest nearby, especially if it is a large one, contact pest control for the quickest and safest removal.
Spiders
Considering the fact that many students are afraid of spiders, it would not be the worst thing ever to keep classrooms spider-free. Spiders are pretty antisocial by nature, so they mainly stay in areas that are isolated from people. Corners of unused desks, undisturbed play equipment, library shelves, and areas of classrooms furthest from people are the most frequent habitats of spiders at school. As with wasps, there is likely to be far more spiders when there is an abundance of insects in the area. Spiders eat all kinds of little pests, whether they hunt or wait for them to be trapped in the web, so they will predictably live where the eating is good and the threats are low.
Bites from spiders are relatively rare, as they don’t seek out humans to bite just for fun. Most species prefer to run and hide when they’re threatened, so the main risk of a bite is if someone directly touches the spider in any way. That being said, spider bites are not any kind of fun activity we want to experience. Some feel like a slight pinch, while others feel like a painful sting and result in a red welt. There are cases of spider bites that become infected if they are not immediately cared for, so it is very important that anyone who is bitten receives care soon. The real risk of spider bites is when someone goes into deep brush without looking at what they are touching, so the average person going about their day at school is not in constant danger from a spider, which is good to hear.
In the U.S., there are really only two species of spider that cause immediate concern after biting a person. They are the black widow and brown recluse, neither of which we want anything to do with. These venomous spiders like to stay even more isolated than a typical spider, which is also great because they are not very nice to look at. The brown recluse is known for its violin-shaped mark on its back, and likes to live in cracks and completely isolated spaces. The black widow has its famous red-orange hourglass on its abdomen, and typically stays in dry and secluded places. The female black widow almost always stays in her web, which makes it even easier to avoid since that is not something anyone should go near without proper equipment. If these spiders are common in your area, teaching students what they look like and the importance of leaving them alone would be valuable for everyone.
Steps to Success: The best and most beneficial way to prevent spiders is to remove their food: insects. Spiders don’t purposefully live where they cannot find anything to eat, so it will keep the classroom pest-free on multiple levels. Also, dusting away any spiderwebs or cobwebs rids the spider that left them behind without a home, often causing them to search for a less invasive space. Keeping the classroom floor and outside social areas free from clutter and natural debris also prevents spiders from spinning their webs in a secluded space that is not as separate from people as they may think. Spiders thrive in the dark and remote areas of the world, so advising children to not stick their hands in dark crevices would be greatly beneficial in preventing potential spider bites later on.
Ticks
This one is not the most prevalent school pest in certain areas, urban schools in particular. The only real risk of ticks becoming a problem of the school is if someone inadvertently brings one on their person and it decides to spend its digestive period at school. But for campuses that have a lot of extra land and grassy areas around the classrooms, there is a definite risk of ticks. They stay in tall grass or thick brush until a mammal passes by, onto which the tick will latch on and feed upon for about 3 days. This is why many trails and walking areas come with a tick warning, as the surrounding grasses outside of the designated path are perfect for ticks that are waiting for their next meal to literally walk by.
Ticks thrive in warm and humid climates, so the schools in these areas naturally have a higher risk of ticks living in the grasses outside of the school. In addition to annoyingly drinking our blood, ticks happen to carry a myriad of diseases that they can transfer through their bite. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and anaplasmosis are common ones, but the most infamous has to be Lyme disease. When this disease is received from a tick, it is often after the tick has been continuously feeding for 24 hours. This is why it is important to remove a tick as soon as it is found on a person (or pet); it can sometimes mean the difference between becoming ill or not. Make sure to use tweezers and pull the tick straight out when removing, as a tick’s head can detach and stay on its host, which is a terrifying thought.
Steps to Success: Honestly, the easiest way to prevent ticks from latching on as a host is just to avoid their home turf. Most common tick species are minuscule, like deer ticks, so they are difficult to detect until it’s too late. Avoid any kind of tall, thick brush surrounding the school, and instruct students to do the same. If anyone does go into the thicket, a quick check of their neck or arms will provide peace of mind that there is not a tiny additional student in the classroom. It may not be necessary in a school setting, but bug spray is our best friend and a tick’s worst nightmare. If you do use it, make sure to look for the ones that specifically say they work against ticks.
Mosquitoes
Unfortunately, mosquitoes don’t stop annoying us just because summer vacation is over. These pests are at their peak in warm weather, which can continue well into the first semester in certain areas. Some schools have a pond or small body of water within a couple of miles, which is a fun addition but bad news in terms of mosquitoes. They lay their eggs in moist areas, whether it’s a pond, lake, or patch of damp soil. They notably lay less eggs in soil than water, often only laying a couple in soil and about 100 in water. If the students are outside for an extended period of time or if the classroom door is propped open, the drive to get outside and away from homework may not be the only itch students are wanting to scratch.
There are multiple negatives to mosquito bites, besides the obvious one about having our blood eaten by pests. With students, especially the younger ones, the bites can be a huge distraction in the classroom. The itchy, irritated bites can be impossible to ignore. But besides that, mosquito bites are notable for potentially harboring harmful diseases. Malaria is a big one, followed by the likes of yellow fever and West Nile virus. These are not terribly common in the residential U.S., so not every mosquito bite is cause for concern. But if the person with the bites starts showing symptoms like fever, fatigue, aches, or flu-like symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately.
Steps to Success: Thankfully, it is often easier to prevent mosquitoes in classrooms than in homes. The constant movement and shuffling of students and supplies helps to keep the mosquitoes at bay. In areas that experience a lot of mosquitoes, a stationary fan may be a helpful addition to the classroom. It will be especially helpful if the air conditioning is not super effective! If the windows are constantly open, make sure the screens don’t have any large holes that could be used as a door for pests. And, as with many pests, having any water leaks fixed will prevent thirsty pests from seeking out these water sources.
Flies
This may be the winner for the most common outdoor and indoor school pest, making anyone who has the misfortune of being in this area the loser. Common houseflies are not concerning because they bite or sting (they can’t), but rather because of the harmful bacteria and diseases they carry with them everywhere. Flies are disgustingly bred and born in decomposing material and waste, often numbering about 100 eggs per batch, so they are contaminated from the beginning. They like to feed out of dumpsters and trash cans often, as they contain every kind of discarded food a fly could want. It is annoying when they walk all over fresh school lunches and snacks, but it gets worse when we think about the possible diseases on their feet. Cholera, dysentery, and food poisoning are just some of the dangerous enzymes that can be found on a fly.
The clearest attractor of a fly at school is the endless supply of crumbs and food scraps. The cafeteria or outdoor eating areas are havens for flies, but that doesn’t mean classrooms are off the hook. A classroom door propped open helps to combat the stale interior air, but it can also invite in a party of flies who are thrilled to find a clear path to all kinds of food. The taste and smell receptors of a fly are on their feet, which is why they walk all over whatever they land on. This becomes another distracting problem when they spend time trying to find out if the desks, papers, pencils, or students are food. Even though they cannot hurt us by biting or stinging, flies are still an annoying and persistent pest that make classroom learning into a larger task than it already is.
Steps to Success: Besides keeping the classroom door closed, the best way to prevent flies is to remove their selection of food sources. Clean up all crumbs and spills, and make sure students take care of their trash. It can also help to remove any food trash or decaying plants from the classroom area, as these are main draws for a fly. And, as with mosquitoes, a standing fan is surprisingly effective against a fly’s efforts. But it makes sense when we imagine being a tiny pest and trying to fly against a massive steady wind!
Pest Control Keeps the Pests Contained in the Lesson Plans
Some of the most fun science lessons are about insects and small critters, especially in the younger grades when they are accompanied by an activity involving coloring and construction paper. But the fun stops when pests overrun a place, whether it’s at school or at home. Schools require a very limited use of pest control products through IPM, or Integrated Pest Management. This makes sense since no one wants a bunch of dangerous pesticides around schoolchildren. Our eco-friendly treatments are effective against pests without leaving harmful chemicals around children or the greenery. Contact us to learn more about our thorough inspections and efficient services, and how our team can save the idea of pests for the lesson plans, not an invasion of the room.
Citations
Bees and wasps and schools. (2022, June 15). United States EPA. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/ipm/bees-and-wasps-and-schools
Darr, S., Drlik, T., Olkowski, H., & Olkowski, W. (1998, May). IPM for spiders in schools. University of Florida: School IPM. Available at https://schoolipm.ifas.ufl.edu/newtp11.htm (Accessed on August 8, 2022).
Flies and schools. (2021, December 21). United States EPA. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/ipm/flies-and-schools
Information on pests in schools and their control. (2022, January 24). United States EPA. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/ipm/information-pests-schools-and-their-control
Mosquitoes and schools. (2022, May 16). United States EPA. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/ipm/mosquitoes-and-schools
Ticks and schools. (2022, February 22). United States EPA. Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/ipm/ticks-and-schools
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