Roaches in Elementary School: How Many Is Too Many?

I would have said something the first time.

If nothing was done to address the situation I would say it again to the principal. Then the Super, then the media ... that is if no one addressed the issue the first or second time.

I would definitely bring it to the attention of whoever is in charge of things like this, just so they can figure out if there is a problem or not.

On the plus side, when a place is treated for roaches, there are always a few dead ones found in the week or so afterward, because the treatment is working! Hopefully that is what is happening and the cafeteria is not preparing food for the children in an infested kitchen.

There are roaches anywhere that food is found, unfortunately. Supermarkets, restaurants, cafeterias, homes. Usually you don't see them because they come out at night. I used to see them all the time when I lived in apartments - if I came into the kitchen at night and flipped on the light, they'd be scurrying. Then it was time to call the landlord.

If you're seeing dead ones, I wonder if they've already treated for them? I would report to the office what your child has seen. Be prepared that they may say a child doesn't know what's a roach and what isn't. Depending on the age of your child, you could consider sending him/her with a small container to capture the critter and deliver it to the office. Of you can contact the district office (whoever is in charge of the meal services - sometimes those are town-run and sometimes they hire an outside service) or the town board of health and ask for an inspection.

Contact the Health Department. They'll know how many is too many, if the school is on a regular treatment schedule, and will further investigate if needed.

I would call and ask the assistant principal. Usually they are in charge of building maintenance and just ask.

I know we do not want our children and the environment to be hurt, but some times it can take the big guns to get rid of them.

Are these the big tree roaches, or the little roaches?

Is there a constant water source around the school like a pond?

Is there a lot of trees with shedding leaves under them close to the school?

Are the shrubs kept trimmed high enough off of the ground so that the do not have compost under them?

No wood chips being used close to the school for ground cover?

Tree Roaches, those big ones like dark, moist, compost type spaces. The further from the school the better..

The little roaches are the type that are more attracted to food products..

Shudder. I hate roaches but in warm climates they're just a part of the environment outdoors so I wouldn't be concerned about seeing some outside. Inside grosses me out but honestly, I worked in food service for 10 years and every place I worked had to deal with roaches, even the university I went to that now charges $55K a year. That place was actually the worst - we roach bombed the food areas of the building I worked in (which housed a food court and our central catering kitchen) every summer, thanksgiving break, winter break and spring break to keep things under control but they were always there even with regular ongoing maintenance treatment each week (don't even get me started on the rats...). Part of the problem is that you bomb just the food areas, then the roaches just retreat to an untreated area (outdoors, classrooms) for a while and then come back and find food. Still, I would say something to the principal and ask what their pest maintenance schedule is. On one hand, the chemicals used to roach bomb a big building are pretty strong and not what you want lingering in the air for little lungs to breathe so they probably don't treat the entire school building, meaning they'll never really go away. On the other hand...gross!

I am with Diana B on this one. They may have just treated hence the dead ones. Also, has the school been vacant all summer? Once the activity and noise of the kids kicks in, also pushes those boogers into hiding:)

Give it another week. Still seeing more than one live one, give a quick call to the office to ask. Never hurts to ask:)

I've always been under the impression that if you see a roach in the daylight, it means you have an infestation. They try to stay hidden but if there are too many, then they can't all hide.

I would call the health department. It only takes one to breed so to me, one is too many,

I wouldn't say anything unless your child has an allergy to them. I'm pretty sure they are on an extermination schedule, but roaches survive anything. It's just a fact of life.

Call the school and ask.
We had them in the band wing at the high school. I'd call. They'd spray. No more roaches.

where you see one... behinds the scenes there are tons.........

As a kid I worked in some very high end restaurants. Yep, I saw a roach at least once in every single one. Unless it becomes obvious there is an infestation that is not being treated I'd just wait, watch and see what happens.

Maybe pack a lunch for a while, not sure I'd want my little one eating the cafeteria food until this is totally cleared up!

One?

I would complain after one roach.

I am sure your school well aware of it. Roaches are a part of life. You don't hurt them, they won't hurt you lol.

Maybe the roach he sees in the cafeteria each day is the same roach? One roach living in the cafeteria doesn't seem so bad....