b'BY BRITTNEY JONESHelpful Tips for IPM Programs in SchoolsI ts that time of the year again!Record your findings after eachwashing floor drains should be done The cold season is upon us, andevaluation as this will allow youon a routine basis to prevent drain while we hope that the pests areto quickly locate any conducivemoths from infesting the school not remaining active during thatconditions that might arise beforebuilding. Another tip with reducing period, they may still find ways tothe schools close for the holidays. clutter is to inspect all high-reach do so inside our school buildings.The most cost-effective wayplaces for any trash or debris, such as Remember that pests need food,to minimize pest infestations isthe top of student lockers.shelter, and water to survive andprevention. This includes exclusionaryBe sure to empty the mop buckets grow their populations. Weathertactics such as caulking all cracksand deep clean the mop heads. Mop changes will force them to seekand crevices, fixing any plumbingheads can grow mold or harbor insect these three components in areasleaks, repairing door sweeps and/oreggs if they are not thoroughly cleaned. that provide them. Therefore, it isdeteriorating windows, and installingThis can be remedied by soaking them important to implement simple,weather stripping products. Manyin hot water mixed with a cleaning yet effective, integrated pestinsects and vertebrates will seeksolution for at least fifteen minutes. management (IPM) tactics to reduceshelter during the colder months andYou can also use a disinfectant solution the risk of infestations. limiting their access inside schoolto disinfect the mop heads. Afterwards, As you may already know, IPMbuildings will greatly reduce the risksyou wring them out and thoroughly air requires the utilization of multipleof pest activity during the holidays. dry before storage.tactics to control pests. This alsoSanitation practices are alwaysIf your school has a food pantry, means that pest control tacticsessential in an IPM program. Someinspect the dry foods (rice, flour, may differ by site. While one IPMsuggested practices are: emptyingcereal, spices, etc.) for any holes or program may work in one area ofand cleaning all trash bins, cleaningbite marks. Discard those immediately, the building, another location maygutters, discarding unused cardboardas tiny stored-product pests such require a different approach. Thisboxes to reduce clutter, deep cleaningas the rice weevil will contaminate is mostly due to the surroundingfood preparation areas and thethose bags. Keep the dry foods on a conducive conditions as well as thecafeteria (especially cleaning thewooden pallet instead of the floor and biology of the pest that has beencorners behind kitchen appliances orproperly seal any opened products. It detected. Therefore, you shouldvending machines!), inspecting theis recommended to store opened dry thoroughly inspect and monitor thestudent lockers for any food residue,food bags in plastic bins with a tight-sites as part of your IPM program.and deep cleaning the floors. Power- fitting lid.Bait applications have been popular lately because of their low risk of contaminating the environment, the reduction of harming non-target organisms, and attracting pests from their hard-to-reach nests. However, this is due to the appropriate placement of baits as directed by the product label. Bait placement should be left in sites that have low traffic from students and school personnel. Indicate on a diagram the placement of these baits for easier monitoring. Bait boxes containing rodenticides must be tamper-resistant and 10 WAMOA JOURNALFALL 2025'