Health department: mice in school not grounds for closing

Pinal County Environmental Health officials inspected a local elementary school yesterday after parents called in complaints of mice. Pima Butte Elementary School administrators said they have found mice in the building and are bringing in professionals to resolve the problem.

“The school has undergone major cleaning this weekend, and they did a good job,” said Reg Glos, Pinal County’s Director of Environmental Health. However, Glos said his department did find droppings during their inspection, indicating rodents are still present.

“This is not grounds for closing school,” Glos said. “There is not a school in the country that doesn’t have some rodents.”

Glos said that they don’t know how many mice are present, and that they are working to determine if there is a threat. The health department has found very few practices in the school that may be encouraging the mice – such as food in various places.

The school is doing what it can to help resolve this problem as quickly as possible, according to Principal Janelle Lowey. She said they plan to test one of the captured mice for diseases such as Hantavirus.

Pima Butte Elementary School is attempting to resolve their rodent problem.

In addition to the testing and clean up efforts, the school is bringing in pest control specialists and possibly an indoor environmental consultant. So far, professionals have said it is doubtful that the appearance of rodents at the school is a result of negligence. They said it is most likely due to the natural environment.

“This school is no more a focal point for mice than a house a block away,” said Rick Rupkey II, Vice President of University Pest Control out of Casa Grande. Rupkey will be working with the school to eliminate the rodent problem.

“These organisms have been here a lot longer than us,” he said, referring to the newness of Maricopa. And now, “it is that time of year when it is getting cooler, and rodents are seeking more hospitable climates.”

Both Glos and Rupkey agree that an effective program for catching and minimizing the population, and educating students, teachers and parents about the health concerns of “pests” is what is needed. “We will aggressively take the responsible path to protect the school and eliminate the rodents as quickly and safely as possible,” Rupkey said.

Rupkey suggests that Maricopans should learn to be aware of the local environment. He said there are various animals, thought of as pests, that belong to the natural ecosystem. It is not uncommon for them to turn up in residential areas. “Just wait until spring when the snakes come out and start reproducing,” he said.