MHS faces termites, cockroaches

by Brian Khau

Due to the cold weather and the rain, subterranean termites are now flying about, according to Physics Teacher Bruce Fowler. But the biggest problem at school is cockroaches, Principal Kenneth Schlaff said.

Assistant Principal Brian McGarry said that he was aware that there were termites around, but said that there were no problems. “Two years ago there was a hole on a board, and it was probably caused by some termites, but I have not heard of any building infested with termites, and I have not heard of a foundation bringing down the building of anything,” McGarry said.

Fowler said that the termites naturally reproduce through their flying reproductive stage, and that he had one flying in his room before. “I don’t think [the termites] are a big deal. The L building is mostly concrete, and if these are subterranean termites then there shouldn’t be a problem,” Fowler said.

Because MHS is made of a wood structure, there may be termites, but they have not caused structural damage as of this year, Schlaff said. Furthermore, they are not as big of a problem as cockroaches, he added, which have always been prominent at MHS, especially when students drop food. The crumbs on the floor attract cockroaches and other bugs, Schlaff said.

“I’ve even just recently been in classes observing, and it was after break and I think more was eaten in the class than the food that was eaten on break,” Schlaff said. Schlaff named food as the number one cause of pests, especially ants and cockroaches. Schlaff listed two things that brought bugs to classrooms: food being made and not stored properly, and food that was dropped by students.

There are cockroaches in the kitchen area as well as in classrooms, according to Schlaff. “People would either make food in a classroom, where they would have a refrigerator and a microwave and they would have food, and they would drop food. [The teachers] allowed food to be eaten in the class by kids.”

Fowler expressed his concern with students dropping food. In addition, he stated that it is impossible to avoid cockroaches, as they are everywhere.

“Sometimes students leave junk all over, especially after break or lunch, and that attracts the roaches and other bugs. I once found a carton of spoiled milk and I had to clean it up,” Fowler said.

Both Schlaff and Fowler concede that there have been fewer problems with cockroaches and other pests this year, however. The custodians keep the classrooms clean, Fowler said, though students need to pick up their trash.

“It’s been pretty good this year, I haven’t gotten a call or email yet,” Schlaff said. “Usually by this time of year the call or email would come in, and I’d have to go and I’d have to talk to [Maintenance Operation Transportation].”