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Pest Management

Preventing Pest Infestation

It is always best to control pests by targeting the source of the problem, i.e., the conditions that allow pests to enter and infest a facility. This strategy emphasizes ongoing maintenance and housekeeping to ensure that pests will not find a hospitable environment.

Integrated pest management focuses on sealing or otherwise blocking routes of entry to the building (e.g., windows, vents, cracks), maintaining a moderate climate, avoiding water leakage or standing water (e.g., pipe leaks, drains), removing or controlling food sources (e.g., indoor plants, bushes and plants in close proximity to the building, staff food, trash), housekeeping (e.g, dusting and vacuuming, looking for signs of insect activity such as droppings and insect bodies), and inspection of incoming collections to ensure they are not infested.

  See a Pest Control Checklist (PDF, 232k).