Staying Safe With Pest Control in Healthcare Facilities & Schools

Preferred Pest Control has been serving the commercial pest control needs of local businesses in Iowa for years, becoming a trusted pest control partner in the Des Moines area. Educational and healthcare facilities share a lot in common when it comes to the types of pest problems each are susceptible to and the commercial services used to keep them clean and safe. We’ve provided pest control in healthcare facilities and schools for decades, and want to help educate Iowans on the most common pests our team finds on these properties.

Professional Pest Control For Schools

Schools and other educational facilities have many students, teachers, and others going in and out of them daily; it's no wonder they can attract pests! Finding the right pest control company for your school can be difficult as there are many things to consider, such as the health of students, faculty and staff, and having a discreet treatment process to minimize concerns. Our experts at Preferred Pest Control share their insights to help ensure your property is pest-free. From quickly and efficiently handling the most common types of pests found to how our dedicated team performs treatments, we're here to help educational facility directors feel confident, knowing they have what it takes to identify an infestation and quickly resolve the problem.

Why Are Pests Such A Problem in Schools?

Schools are large buildings with many entry points, making effective pest prevention challenging. Pests have many access points since schools usually have multiple entrances, but loading docks are the most common culprit for letting pests indoors.

The best thing for employees is to be efficient when bringing things in and out of the building. Most pests found in schools are small enough to fit through any cracks and crevices around the building and its foundation. Custodial staff should regularly check the perimeter for cracks and crevices where pests can sneak inside. Sealing them will significantly reduce the number of entry points and chances for pests to get inside. Once inside, pests will search for and set up shop where they can thrive – anywhere there's a food source, such as the cafeteria, concession stands, home economics or food science classrooms and even in teacher's desks where they store snacks!

Preferred Pest Control is more than happy to perform an inspection service for you. We provide pictures, detailed information for improvements needed and list areas of concern. Our professionals will pest proof any structures or sanitary items that need addressed before starting your service with us. We can perform this procedure annually as well!

Exposure to pests significantly increases the chances of students getting sick. Therefore, keeping insects and pests out with pest management in schools is essential to keeping children safe and parents at ease.

Are Bed Bugs Common in Schools?

Bed bugs aren't necessarily common in schools, yet students, staff, or teachers can unknowingly carry these tiny pests inside on their clothing, backpacks, or other belongings. If a student or member of your staff encounters a bed bug problem at home or while on vacation, they can easily bring the problem to school without ever knowing it!

The easiest way to detect a bed bug infestation is by visually spotting the bed bugs or their cast skins. As bed bugs age, they will shed their skins, otherwise evidence of their presence. Defecation is also a common sign of a bed bug infestation. After they feed, bed bugs return to their chosen shelter and defecate brown or black stains on a porous surface—lastly, bed bug bites. Red welts on the skin, in addition to the other signs, will indicate you have an infestation.

Preventing Mice in Schools

Rodents can raise several problems and potential risks, such as disease, emotional trauma, property damage and more. Ensuring your students and staff can go about their day teaching and learning and feel confidently safe from mice can be challenging, especially considering the large area a school building covers and the constant traffic of food and trash that cycles through your facility daily.

At Preferred Pest Control, we say the best way to prevent a mouse infestation in your school building is to keep them from ever getting inside in the first place. Preventative pest management in schools to keep rodents out will help label your school as a clean and safe space. Unfortunately, mice are very creative when sneaking indoors and can be hard to keep out. Our experts have provided pest control for schools for decades and are here to help you identify potential entry points and deter mice and other rodents from your school:

• Keep doors and windows closed and sealed when not in use.
• Use solid, durable material when sealing larger holes so rodents won’t be able to chew through.
• Trim and maintain trees and vegetation around the building.
• Monitor any areas in the building that need repair and could be susceptible to rodents.

Industry-Leading Pest Control Services for Hospitals

While it may be hard to believe, hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities are not exempt from pest infestations. These commercial properties can be quite susceptible to unwanted pests as numerous people go in and out of them daily. As managers of healthcare facilities, you must take the necessary steps to avoid these pest issues so that your patients can feel safe and healthy during their stay at your facilities. Our team at Preferred Pest Control wants to share valuable information that will help to keep your healthcare facility free of pests, and how our technicians who have provided pest control in hospitals for decades can help.

Common Hospitals Pests Found In Iowa

When patients arrive at a healthcare facility, they shouldn't need to worry about pests being part of their stay. For hospitals, long-term care facilities, and medical clinics, managing the possibility of pests is essential to running a business and providing optimal care. Our experts share the most common pests we come across when performing pest control for hospitals and clinics:

• Ants
• Wasps
• Bed bugs
• Small flies
• Rodents
• Roaches

Pest Control for Hospitals: Following Policy and Procedure

Regarding treating these pests, Preferred Pest Control implements best practices for hospital and healthcare pest management using strategies to minimize overall economic, health and environmental risks. Our pest control services for hospitals include an Integrated pest management (IPM) plan, a sustainable, science-based, decision-making process that combines biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools to identify, manage and reduce risk from pests. This enables us to provide individuals who are potentially sick or have compromised immune systems with a better alternative than a pesticide-only pest control strategy.

In addition, we can train healthcare staff members on safety and pest prevention protocols before serving pest control for hospitals annually. With so many workers providing care and operating within the facility, making everyone aware of pest prevention best practices is essential to ensure a sustainable and successful pest management program.

We Deliver Personalized Pest Management in Schools & Hospitals

Each of our pest control technicians at Preferred Pest Control is highly trained and has years of experience to deliver the absolute best pest control for your business. We’ve spent years refining our commercial IPM process to deliver the best pest control in healthcare facilities and schools in Iowa. Schedule an appointment to set up a consultation or contact our office today at (515) 415-5550.