How Schools Can Manage Increased Rodent Activity During Cooler Months

Florida is hot and humid most of the year, but when infrequent cold fronts move through and temperatures drop for a few days or weeks during winter, pest behavior changes quickly. Insects, rats, and mice are not accustomed to cooler weather and will actively seek warmth, food, and shelter indoors.

As a result, even though Florida’s winter is short and mild, schools and other public facilities often experience an uptick in rodent activity during cooler months. For administrators, facility managers, and maintenance teams, early prevention is essential to avoid disruptions, health concerns, and reputational risk.

Why Rodent Activity Increases in Schools During Winter

Rodents are highly motivated by temperature changes. When outdoor conditions become uncomfortable, they move toward buildings that offer consistent heat and food sources. Schools are especially attractive due to their size, daily occupancy, and regular food service operations.

Cafeterias, storage rooms, classrooms, and mechanical spaces provide ideal shelter, while frequent foot traffic creates numerous opportunities for rodents to enter unnoticed.

Common Areas Rodents Target in School Buildings

Once rodents gain access, they tend to travel along walls and into quiet, undisturbed areas. Common target locations include:

• Cafeterias and food preparation areas
• Storage rooms and custodial closets
• Mechanical rooms and utility chases
• Classrooms with snacks or teaching supplies
• Portable classrooms and older structures

Knowing where rodents prefer to nest and travel allows maintenance teams to focus inspections where they matter most.

Cafeteria Sanitation and Food Storage Best Practices

Food service areas are one of the most critical risk zones in any school. Crumbs, spills, unsecured food, and improperly managed trash quickly attract rodents.

Best practices include:

• Storing food in sealed, rodent-resistant containers
• Cleaning floors, drains, and equipment daily
• Promptly addressing spills and food debris
• Limiting food storage in classrooms

Strong sanitation reduces attractants and supports long-term rodent prevention.

Exterior Sealing and Building Maintenance Priorities

Rodents can enter buildings through openings as small as a quarter. Damaged door sweeps, gaps around pipes, roofline penetrations, and cracks in foundations all serve as access points.

Maintenance priorities should include:

• Repairing door sweeps and weather stripping
• Sealing utility penetrations and structural gaps
• Maintaining vents, screens, and roofline integrity
• Addressing building damage promptly

Preventing entry is far more effective—and less disruptive—than reacting after rodents are inside.

Storage Rooms, Classrooms, and Supply Areas at Risk

Cluttered storage spaces provide excellent harborage for rodents. Cardboard boxes, stacked supplies, and rarely accessed areas allow rodents to nest undisturbed.

Keeping storage rooms organized, reducing excess cardboard, and elevating items off the floor makes inspection easier and limits hiding places.

Trash Handling and Dumpster Placement on School Grounds

Poor waste management significantly increases rodent pressure. Overflowing trash cans, uncovered dumpsters, and dumpsters placed too close to buildings act as feeding stations.

Best practices include:

• Keeping dumpster lids closed and in good repair
• Scheduling regular trash removal
• Positioning dumpsters away from buildings
• Cleaning trash and recycling areas routinely

Effective waste control reduces rodent activity across campus.

Staff Awareness and Reporting Procedures for Early Detection

Teachers, custodial staff, and food service personnel are often the first to notice signs of rodent activity. Training staff to recognize droppings, gnaw marks, and unusual odors allows issues to be reported early.

Clear reporting procedures help maintenance and pest management teams respond before activity escalates or disrupts school operations.

Preventing Disruptions With Proactive School Pest Control

If you are responsible for a public facility where people are constantly coming and going, it is essential to have professional pest control services in place. This is especially important for schools with cafeterias, where rodents and other pests can potentially spread illness.

The most effective approach combines:

• A clean kitchen and strong sanitation practices
• Routine inspections and monitoring
• Rodent-proofing materials and structural exclusion
• Roofline rodent exclusion where applicable
• Exterior rodent bait stations around buildings
• Targeted rodent trapping to eliminate active infestations quickly

Bidding and maintaining a relationship with a reputable pest control company ensures rapid response when issues arise and helps prevent small problems from growing out of hand.

At Hulett Environmental Services, Inc., we specialize in commercial and institutional pest control, working with schools and public facilities throughout South Florida. With over 50 years of experience, our proactive rodent management programs are designed to protect students, staff, and operations—keeping pests out and learning uninterrupted, even during Florida’s cooler months. So remember, to keep your facility in tip-top shape, Just Call Hulett for a free quote today.