Construction Standard Specification: Pest Control
Construction Safety Standard Specification (Section 015716) for pest control and the Construction Integrated Pest Management Standard
Pest Control
Summary
How to manage pest and wildlife incidents, report encounters, and reduce pest-related issues and risks.
Who is this for?
All students, faculty, and staff.
⚠ Medical emergencies
If an animal bites or scratches a person:
- If the person needs immediate medical attention, call 911.
- For bat, coyote, dog, or raccoon bites or scratches, immediately get medical treatment and a rabies risk evaluation.
- Report the incident to the Operations Center, Harvard University Police Department (HUPD), building manager, and EHS. Include the location, injury type, and name and contact information of the injured person.
- If needed, restrict access to the area to help reduce risks and manage crowds.
Reporting pest and wildlife issues
Never approach, touch, or feed wild animals.
If you encounter a wild animal:
- If it appears threatening, do not approach it. Use hazing (loud noises and arm-waving) to deter coyotes. For other animals, back away and go to a sheltered place.
- Follow any EHS reporting instructions for specific animals. For other animals, call the Operations Center and ask to speak to EHS.
- Contact the building manager directly or through the Operations Center.
- If needed, contact HUPD to help manage crowds.
EHS coordinates any required communications to wildlife officials.
If you find an injured, sick, or dead animal (including birds):
- Contact the building manager (use the nearest building if you are outside) or the Operations Center.
- If you find six or more injured, sick, or dead birds in one area, contact the Operations Center and ask them to notify EHS.
Do not harm or chase bats or touch them with your bare hands.
If a bat is inside a building:
- Instruct everyone to leave the room (if practical) and close the door.
- Record the names and contact information of everyone who was in the room.
- Call the Operations Center and ask to speak to EHS.
- Immediately contact Harvard University Health Services (HUHS), another medical clinician, or the state or local public health department.
Bed bugs may occasionally enter buildings through personal belongings, but most insects found on beds are not bed bugs.
If you suspect bed bugs:
- Contact the building manager.
- Try to capture a sample by sealing it in a jar or plastic bag or pasting it to paper with clear tape.
- Notify EHS that you have a suspected bed bug sample.
If EHS confirms it is a bed bug, the building manager coordinates treating the affected rooms with a Harvard-qualified pest control vendor.
Contact your medical provider with questions about your health.
Contact the building manager if you see:
- A bee or wasp inside a building.
- A bee or wasp nest inside or attached to the outside of a Harvard building.
If you see a cockroach in a building, contact the building manager or use your school’s online system to submit a work request.
Coyote encounters
If a coyote approaches you:
- Stand facing the coyote. Do not turn around or run away.
- Use hazing (loud noises and arm-waving) to deter the coyote.
If a coyote threatens a person or pet:
- Back away and go to a safe place.
- Call the Operations Center and ask to speak to EHS.
Coyote injuries
If a coyote scratches or bites a person or pet, get immediate medical attention by contacting HUHS or your healthcare provider.
Do not approach or disturb hawks or active hawk nests.
Contact EHS if:
- You see or suspect there is a hawk nest on a building.
- Someone must perform maintenance or work near active hawks.
Mice or rats inside a building
- If you see a mouse inside, contact the building manager.
- If you see a rat inside, call the Operations Center.
Rats outside near a building
- If you see a rat outside near a building, contact the building manager or use your school’s online system to submit a work request.
Direct contact with a raccoon or raccoon saliva
If a person touches a raccoon:
- Call the Operations Center and ask to speak to EHS.
- Immediately get a medical evaluation.
If a person or pet touches raccoon saliva:
- Call the Operations Center and ask to speak to EHS.
- Quickly contact HUHS or your healthcare provider.
Raccoon injuries
If a raccoon bites or scratches a person or pet, immediately contact HUHS or your healthcare provider.
If a tick is attached to a person or pet:
- Quickly remove the tick. Do not dispose of the tick after you remove it.
- Save the tick so EHS can identify and potentially test it for infection. Place the tick into pill container or zipper-lock plastic bag or tape it to paper. Write the date, location on the body, and the recent travel history of the person or pet.
- Contact EHS.
If a turkey appears threatening, you should either:
- Go to a sheltered place and call the Operations Center.
- Stand your ground and haze aggressive turkeys.
Preventing pests
To help prevent pest issues in buildings:
- Keep doors and windows closed unless they have screens. Do not prop open doors.
- After you travel, inspect your belongings, luggage, and clothing for pests.
- Store food and candy in securely closed, hard-sided containers.
- Wash dirty dishes and utensils right away.
- Keep trash covered and dispose of trash, recycling, and compost often.
- Keep rooms tidy and belongings off floors. Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove crumbs and debris.
Notify the building manager about:
- Pests or evidence of pests.
- Bird nests on window ledges, in vents, or in or around air conditioners.
- Damaged screens, doors, or openings large enough for pests to enter.
Only Harvard-qualified licensed pesticide applicators can use pesticides on Harvard property.
Some mosquitoes can transmit diseases to people.
Licensed pesticide applicators treat designated areas at Harvard with environmentally appropriate larvicides. Local communities may also spray adulticides.
To help reduce mosquito bites:
- If mosquitoes are outside, consider going indoors.
- Cover exposed skin to reduce mosquito bites. Most mosquitoes will not bite through clothing.
- Use Environmental Protection Agency-approved insect repellents on skin and clothing. Follow label instructions.
Building and facility management can help reduce mosquitoes in and around buildings by:
- Inspecting containers outside buildings. Empty, cover, or put a screen on any container with even a small amount of water, including buckets, trash barrels, cans, tarps, and old tire casings.
- Installing and repairing window and door screens (where allowed and appropriate).
Related resources
Find documents and online tools to manage pest and wildlife issues.
Mosquito Prevention Poster
Printable poster to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses
Pest Management Vendors
Qualified pest management vendors evaluated by EHS
Learn more
Contact EHS for more information about pest control and wildlife incidents, including:
- Bed bug management for House managers, House resident deans, HUH residents, and students in residence.
- Bees and apiaries, including registration.
- Head lice in childcare facilities.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) standards for museums, libraries, conservation, and preservation facilities.
- Mosquito free construction site posters.
- Pest and wildlife incidents (including reporting and response flowcharts).
- Rodent cleanup procedures.
Contact your building manager with questions about other pests.