Pest Control Procedures

The following steps have been established by Custodial Services collaborated with Buildings & Grounds to ensure that the proper rodent abatement occurs at all district facilities.

1. School sites’ Administrator, designee or custodian phone (434-2202) pest concern to custodial services.
2. Upon receiving the complaint, Custodial Services will contact Pest Control and establish a time for Western Exterminator / Certech Pest Control to service the site.
3. Custodial Services will notify the site with confirmation of the date and time of Pest Control’s anticipated arrival.
4. Pest Control will visit the school’s office and service the site by conducting an assessment and setting traps.
5. Pest Control will give Custodial Services a detailed report on the actual assessment along with a corrective action plan.
6. Custodial Services will schedule a follow-up visit.
7. Custodial Services will send the assessment and corrective action plan to Buildings & Grounds.
8. Buildings & Grounds will create a service tag and complete the necessary work for rodent abatement while the Custodial Field Supervisor will conduct a weekly check-in with the custodian in charge to assess the ongoing rodent abatement.
9. Custodial Services (site custodian) and/or pest control vendor will monitor the problem and remove traps when necessary. In addition, more traps will be set, by our pest control vendor or the custodian, if necessary.
10. When traps are removed, Custodial Services will request additional traps if necessary.
11. Pest Control will continue to service the site until the rodent abatement is complete. 
12. Once the extermination is complete, Custodial Services and the school will receive a report indicating the completion of the abatement.

1. Custodian or front office manager contact Custodial Services immediately
2. Custodial Services contact pest control vendor immediately
3. Custodial Services notifies site of the date/time pest control will arrival
4. Pest control vendor assesses the site and set traps
5. Pest control vendor will provide Custodial Services with a detailed report on assessment and corrective action plan; Custodial Services will share the report and plan with the school site leader & Buildings & Grounds
6. B&G will complete the necessary work for rodent abatement based on the corrective action plan
7. School site custodian will monitor traps, get rid of dead rodents in plastic bags and clean up all areas where droppings were identified; repeat until abatement is complete
8. Once abatement is complete, a report from the pest control vendor will be filed with Custodial Services

What Causes Rodent Infestation?

In California, there are three main types of rodents: House mice, Norway rats (aka: sewer rats) and Roof Rats. They thrive and are attracted to the following environments:

• Gardens, bushes, ivy, and fruit bearing trees/bushes
• Unsanitary places where food is left out or is easily available
• Wood piles & paper
• Warm weather environments; especially during droughts
• Buildings where there is access to food, paper or wood, sewer pipes, and dark places

Management

A successful rat /mouse control strategy typically includes four elements: sanitation measures, building construction, rodent proofing and population control.

Schools can:

• Remove all crates, boxes, gardening equipment from off the ground storage
• Eliminate leaving food out over night after events or celebrations
• Eliminate access to food, water and shelter
• Avoid leaving dog or cat food out to feed stray animals
• Close entry doors to the school buildings
• Purchase outside garbage receptacles with tight-fitting covers

Nutrition Services can:

• Tightly seal and store food properly
• Clean kitchen and ensure that food is not left out
• Eliminate access to food, water and shelter

Custodial Services can:

• Ensure that school is clean regularly both Inside and outside
• Collect, trash, and garden debris frequently
• Ensure all outside garbage receptacles have tight-fitting covers. For controlling rats/mice indoors, use rat/mice traps

Buildings & Grounds can:

• Thin dense vegetation areas (ex. ivy, bushes)
• Seal cracks and openings in buildings that are¼ inches wide or larger
• Cut back trees overhanging rooftops within 3 feet of the rooftops
• Seal quickly all access points, busted water pipes, electric wires, sewer pipes, drain spouts, roofs, and vents.
• Ensure that windows and screens fit tightly. Use materials such as sheet metal, coarse steel wool, wire screen, and lightweight sheet metal for plugging gaps and
• Ensure that all outside garbage receptacles are secure; chain and lock 

The City of Oakland can:

• Increase the frequency of trash and garbage pick-up
• Re-evaluate their waste-management system
• Cut back trees overhanging rooftops within 3 feet of the rooftops owned by the city
• Clean thoroughly city parks and cut back ivy and bushes
• Monitor construction zones duration of exposure of open pipes, sewers, etc.