Roaches in Schools!

photo courtesy of extension.org

The thought of sending your child to a roach infested school probably makes you sick to your stomach, right?  It makes my skin crawl!  Unfortunately, many schools have found themselves with roach problems.  I was able to find information from several states that have had to deal with this over the years.  Georgia is no exception.  We recently treated a school with an over abundance of cockroaches in the cafeteria.

The above picture shows a drain covered with roaches and their fecal matter.  The floor drains are a common place to find roaches in schools.  Below is the floor underneath where the serving line is located.  As you can see, it is far from clean!

Food or grease spills that are not thoroughly cleaned leave a dirty residue on the floor for roaches to feast on.  Our technicians found remnants of food and sticky spills underneath the serving line.

Although it is most common to find roaches in the kitchen and cafeteria areas, it is also important to keep a watch on bathrooms and classrooms, especially if children eat snacks in their classrooms.  Roaches seek out warm, moist areas.  They will most often be found around leaking faucets or pipes, damp corners, and drains.  They also prefer tight, dark areas and are most active at night.      

Roaches often make their way into our schools unknowingly through deliveries.  Precautions can be taken to make sure boxes coming in are not brought into the kitchen area.  Food supplies need to be put into containers that can be sealed to keep roaches and other unwanted pests out.  Cardboard boxes do not keep pests out!  The school staff can minimize the chance of infestations by thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing every day, including all undersurfaces in the kitchen and cafeteria.  Garbage should be emptied as soon as possible each day and trash cans and receptacles should be cleaned often.  It is also important to regularly check for leaks or condensation, as well as possible entry points such as holes in the walls or floors, around pipes and electrical conduits, and vents.  Keeping a watchful eye out for areas that could harbor roaches can help find and identify them before a full infestation is present.

Children are often susceptible to health risks posed by the presence of cockroaches.  They can spread disease by leaving skins and fecal matter in food.  Roaches also release allergens that can cause health issues, such as asthma.