Prevention Measures
Nov 1, 2010 12:00 PM, By Missy Henriksen
Facility managers and school administrators should commit to a proper pest-prevention plan, even when facing economic constraints.
Schools must be diligent when dealing with bedbugs, one group of pests that has been in many news stories lately.
Pest infestations in schools and universities are not new, yet the issue has received much more media attention in recent years. Despite that attention, professional pest management often has emerged as a likely candidate for budgetary reductions, and even elimination—especially in this latest economic downturn.
This may seem reasonable, especially for school administrators and facility managers. As endowments dip, annual giving is lowered, and education budgets and subsidies are being reduced at the local, state and national levels, it may be difficult to argue for the necessity of pest control when alternative budget decreases affect books, instructors’ salaries, school meals and a host of other worthy needs at education institutions.
Paying attention
Although it may be tempting to relegate pest prevention to the category of a "luxury" expense for education facilities in a time of economic crisis, it cannot be viewed as unrelated to the overall safety of schools and universities. Rather, it must be viewed as necessary to achieving such, especially when considering the following:
According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), reports of bedbugs have increased by 71 percent in the past five years; many new reports are coming from colleges, university residence halls and school classrooms.
Rodents can contaminate food sources—especially in cafeteria kitchens—with their feces, which can spread E. coli, salmonella and other foodborne illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every year in the United States, 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths are related to foodborne diseases. Rodents also can cause severe damage by gnawing through wallboards, cardboard, wood and plaster, as well as electrical wiring, increasing the potential risk of fire.
Recent medical studies have shown that cockroaches carry more than 33 kinds of bacteria, and their allergens can trigger asthma attacks. According to the American Lung Association, asthma has been diagnosed in an estimated 6.2 million U.S. children. Recent medical studies also have shown that cockroach allergens are responsible for numerous allergic reactions in inner-city children and are one of the leading causes of school absenteeism.
These statistics make it clear that pests and rodents pose serious health threats to students, teachers and employees and may be responsible for costly property damage. Infestations also may lead to unwanted attention in the news media.
And now, with the advent of social media, news reports online or in the print or broadcast media no longer are the only concerns. Parents and students can post information easily about the presence of pest problems within a school to Facebook or Twitter accounts—with their own opinions or experiences—sometimes even before facility managers and administrators have an opportunity to fully evaluate the situation and consult with a professional pest-management firm. A strong reputation is difficult to maintain, yet easy to lose.
When evaluating budgets, decisionmakers must consider the consequences of reducing or eliminating professional pest management services—consequences that can include the possibility of a serious public-relations problem.
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