• Regular close mowing to reduce the build up of ant mounds. ​​​
• Bi-annual broadcast application of fire ant bait to all grounds and athletic fields.
• Spot mound treatment using fire ant bait to control problem mounds.
• Stress the importance of storing all food in air tight containers.
• Daily removal of trash to prevent food source.
• Report leaking faucets or plumbing fixtures to prevent water source.
• In case of extreme or life threatening infestation the IPM  Coordinator will authorize and application of insecticide. 

Action Threshold Level - 5 Ants in classroom or public area, 2 ants in clinic or kitchen, 2 mounds per square yard exterior areas.

• Regular close mowing to promote healthy turf grass coverage.
• Routine fertilization of athletic fields to encourage healthy turf grass growth.
• Routine aeration of athletic fields and playgrounds to promote healthy turf grass growth.
• Reseeding of bare areas due to construction or damage with Bermuda seed to prevent weed growth.
• Athletic fields may be treated to control weed growth as necessary and as funds allow. Pre-emergent herbicides and the least toxic post-emergent herbicides are preferred.
• Mechanical edging and/or weed eating will be utilized. No chemicals will be applied for edging. 

Action Threshold Level: 25% weed coverage over desirable turf or beds. 

• Monthly cleaning/disinfecting of dumpsters as part of the annual waste contract. 
• Repair window and door screens as needed to control entry.
• Daily removal of trash to prevent harborage or food source.
• When funding allows, installation of air curtains and/or light traps in the kitchen areas. 
• Stress the importance of weekly cleaning and flushing of floor drains to prevent harborage.

Action Threshold Level - 5 flies in classroom or public area, 2 flies in clinic or kitchen, 10 flies around exterior dumpster or trash can.

• Fill cavities in trees to prevent possible nesting sites as needed.
• Caulking of openings as necessary in buildings to prevent nesting sites.
• When a bee swarm poses a danger to a child or patron, it will be secured until the bees relocate.
• Individual treatment of problem nests or hives as needed.

Action Threshold Level: 1 wasp or bee in classroom, clinic, kitchen, public area or outdoors - no action necessary unless children are threatened.

• Caulking of building cracks as necessary to prevent entry.
• Use of baits to control infestations where possible.
• Use of conventional termiticide treatment in localized area of infestation as necessary.

Action Threshold Level - any sighting of termites is evaluated.

• Daily removal of trash to prevent food source.
• Monthly cleaning/disinfecting of dumpsters as part of the waste contract.
• Daily cleaning of floors and equipment in kitchens to prevent food source.
• Stress the importance of storing food products in original or airtight containers to prevent food source.
• Remove newspapers and paper products that may harbor roaches.
• Weekly cleaning/flushing of floor drains to prevent harborage.
• Installation of weather-stripping on doors to prevent pest entry.
• Caulking of openings and cracks around windows, doors and pipes to prevent pest entry.
• Use of glue boards to identify type of roaches present and degree of infestation.
• Monthly inspection of all kitchens, snack bars, home economics labs and lounges by contractor.
• Use of baits when roaches are detected to control infestation.
• Use of least toxic pesticide possible when baiting cannot control infestation.

Action Threshold Level: 2 roaches in classroom, public area, kitchen, or clinic - no treatment necessary in exterior areas unless noticeable infestation.

• Daily removal of trash to prevent food source.
• Proper storage of food products to prevent food source.
• Remove newspapers and paper products to prevent harborage.
• Report leaking faucets or plumbing fixtures to prevent a water source.
• Caulking of holes, and cracks to prevent entry.
• Installation or weather stripping and screens to prevent entry.
• Replacement of broken or missing ceiling tiles to prevent entry.
• Use of glue boards to detect rodent and identify rodent infestation.
• With IPM coordinator's approval, use baits if infestation is not controlled.

Action Threshold Level - any sightings of rodent or fresh droppings.

• Sealing of cracks and holes to prevent entry.
• Remove newspapers and paper products to prevent harborage.
• Regular close mowing of grass to prevent harborage.
• Trimming of bushes and trees away from the building to prevent entry and harborage.
• Application of least toxic pesticides possible when infestation is uncontrolled by other measure with IPM Coordinator approval.

Action Threshold Level: 1 spider in classroom, public area, kitchen or clinic - no treatment necessary in exterior area unless in large numbers and causing a problem.

• Replacement/installation of screens to prevent entry into buildings.
• Repair of cracks and holes to prevent entry.
• Spray nesting areas with water to discourage nesting.

Action Threshold Level: remove any birds from interior of buildings.

• Prevent entry to building by sealing of cracks and holes.

Action Threshold Level: 1 bat or fresh droppings sighted will set treatment actions in motion.

Once a bat is reported, it should be assumed rabid. Only the trained IPM and Grounds Department personnel should remove bats. The procedure for removing the bat is as follows: 

1. NO one in your building is to try to capture a bat. Your role is to protect the students and/or staff in your building by isolating the bat if possible. If the bat is on a flat surface like a floor or sidewalk, attempt to place a can, box, bucket, etc. over the bat to keep it from escaping. Do not comprise your safety in the process. If it is on a wall or ceiling, do not attempt to contain it. 
2. If a bat is spotted in a room or a large area like a gym or band hall, get all the occupants out of the room and secure all doors.
3. If a bat is spotted in a hallway, isolate the hallway and tell the students and staff in adjacent rooms to stay in their rooms and close all doors.
4. If a bat is spotted on the outside wall of a building, keep students away.
5. Designate a person to handle all reported bat issues and let everyone know his/her office telephone number, and his/her cell phone number.  The designated person should be contacted immediately by whoever finds a bat.  The designated person should immediately contact our IPM & Grounds Department at 713-251-1200, who will contact the Animal Health Department.  The Animal Health Department will send their representative to collect the bat and check if the bat is rabid.
6. If the designated person is unavailable to report the bat issue, call the IPM & Grounds Department to report the incident. District personnel will come over immediately and remove the bat. The bat will then be turned over to the City's Animal Health Department for testing.