School & Childcare Pest Control Checklist

Outdoor inspection: Check school building exterior walls for cracks; verify exterior door, window, and vent seals are intact — seal all gaps larger than 6mm

Landscape maintenance: Mow lawns and trim shrubs regularly; maintain at least 1 meter of vegetation-free zone around buildings — clear leaf litter and debris piles that provide pest harborage

Waste management: Outdoor trash bins must have tight lids and be placed away from classroom and cafeteria entrances — wash the ground around bins weekly to prevent pest attraction

Classroom inspection: Inspect classroom corners, storage cabinets, and behind bookshelves monthly for cockroach droppings, rodent droppings, or spider webs — log findings and actions taken

Cafeteria and kitchen: Follow restaurant pest control standards — ingredients stored off-floor, sealed containers, no overnight trash, drains flowing freely

Food rules: Do not allow opened food packages in classrooms; store student snacks in sealed plastic bins — prevents ants and rodents from entering teaching areas

IPM principles: Use non-chemical methods first (sealing, cleaning, sticky traps); only use lowest-toxicity products when necessary — never spray pesticides in classrooms or student activity areas

Record keeping: Maintain a pest activity log — record date, location, pest type and quantity, action taken, and follow-up plan for every inspection

Communication: Establish a four-way pest reporting chain — custodial staff, teachers, cafeteria workers, and management — any party spotting pest signs must report and log immediately

Professional service: Schedule quarterly comprehensive inspections with a licensed pest control company; notify all parents before treatment; allow sufficient ventilation time before students re-enter after treatment