Pest Management at IU

A pest is any animal, plant, or other organism that causes injury or emotional distress to people or damage to buildings, landscaping, crops, or other outdoor areas. Pest management includes all of the strategies employed to prevent pests from causing injury or damage. It includes professional pest control and removal as well as strategies that professionals and individuals can implement to exclude pests from environments where they are not wanted and deny them the safe harbor, food, and water that they need to survive through building maintenance, housekeeping, and routine monitoring.

At IU, interior and exterior pest control and removal is provided by Facility Operations or RPS professionals. Needs for these services should be communicated to your building management staff.

While all pests are nuisances in some way, some are also vectors, which are living organisms that can transmit infectious diseases between humans or from animals to humans. Diseases transmitted from animals to humans are referred to as zoonotic diseases. IUEHS focuses on providing guidance and educational resources to address nuisance pests that cause public health concerns and vector pests that harbor and spread disease. The sections below provide information and steps that you can take to help protect yourself and the IU community.

Exposure requiring immediate attention

If you are bitten, scratched, or get bat saliva in your eyes, nose, mouth, or wounds, wash the affected area thoroughly and get medical attention immediately due to the potential for rabies. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system. If a person does not receive the appropriate medical care after a potential rabies exposure, the virus can cause disease in the brain, ultimately resulting in death. Rabies can be prevented by vaccinating pets, staying away from wildlife, and seeking medical care after potential exposures before symptoms start.

If a person is bitten by a bat on campus, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) requires that the University follow specific procedures, report the exposure and have the bat tested according to IAC 410 1-2.5-80. Do not attempt to capture the bat yourself. IUEHS can assist with arranging any necessary rabies testing.

A bat should be tested for rabies at the IDOH lab if:

• it has bitten a person or animal
• it could have bitten someone without them knowing
• it has had direct contact with a human or animal
• it is found in a room with someone who might be unaware of contact; such as someone sleeping, a child, a mentally disabled person, or someone who is intoxicated

Contact IUEHS regarding any suspected animal bites, bat scratches, or saliva exposures by calling 812-855-2004 or emailing iuehs@indiana.edu.

Removal and exclusion from buildings

Notify your center desk, housing assistant, property manager, or house director when a bat is located within your on-campus housing unit that needs removal. For academic buildings, contact your building manager or Facility Operations.