Program Information
Landscape & Grounds
The Grounds Maintenance team is committed to providing safe, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing grounds for the Campus community by maintaining our landscape such as plants, groundcover, shrubbery, and trees. Our team also maintains all hardscape and streetscape area within Parnassus, Mission Bay, Mount Zion campuses, as well as outlying campus. In addition, we are managing Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve, to maintains our community commitment, and goals for sustainability, and biodiversity.
Since 2008, the Grounds Maintenance team has eliminated the use of herbicides, such as Round Up, on our Campuses. Our team uses steaming, burning, and other manual technics to control weeds on our Campuses. The Grounds Maintenance staff is responsible for keeping the exterior of our campuses clean, safe, and attractive. Over time, Grounds is moving our older landscaping into more sustainable designs that includes ecological and biodiversity values.
Pest Control - Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Facilities Services offers a comprehensive suite of pest control services designed to support a safe and sanitary campus environment. Our program includes on-demand response for general structural pests, as well as proactive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) inspections and monitoring to identify and address issues before they escalate. Specialized services include rodent and pigeon mitigation planning, wildlife trapping, and bedbug inspections and treatments. We also provide pest exclusion services through targeted structural repairs aimed at preventing future infestations. In instances involving deceased animals found within campus buildings, our team coordinates prompt and sanitary removal. Additionally, we conduct biohazardous cleanup and sanitation following pest activity to ensure health and safety standards are upheld. These services are designed to address a wide range of pest-related concerns through environmentally responsible and evidence-based practices.
Pest Management and Prevention at UCSF
Facilities Services is committed to maintaining a safe, clean, and healthy campus environment by employing the most environmentally responsible pest control practices available. We follow a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy that prioritizes prevention and non-chemical solutions. Chemical treatments are used only when necessary and after all other options have been exhausted.
Our Approach
Our IPM program combines multiple methods of pest control based on inspections, monitoring, and reports from building occupants and staff. We implement a five-tiered process:
- Identify and monitor pest activity
- Set action thresholds to determine when intervention is needed
- Prevent pests by removing attractants and modifying environments
- Control pests using the least toxic methods first
- Evaluate data, measure performance, and adjust as needed
When chemical applications are required, only products approved through the City of San Francisco’s pesticide screening process are used. Once UCSF’s Pesticide Approval Update (PAU) is finalized, we will adopt it as our official product list.
Service Hours
Please report all pest sightings immediately to the Facilities Services Customer Service and Support Center at 415-476-2021. One of our contracted pest control technicians will respond within 48 hours of your request. Standard pest control services are available Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Service Information
Covered Services effective July 1st, 2025:
Topic | Description |
|---|
Landscape & Grounds | - General landscape maintenance such as greenery
- General hardscape maintenance such as trash, debris clean up, and tripping hazards
- General streetscape maintenance such as litter pick up and tripping hazards
- Roads and walkway repairs
- Irrigation maintenance/shutdown
- Tree care emergency response
- Tree care general maintenance on 3 to 6 years recurring annual plan
- General plants healthcare such as fertilization, insect and disease control
- Sharp pick up outside of buildings
- Graffiti removal
- High clean of organic spill such as feces and vomits
- Special event preparation and cleanup
|
Pest Control Integrated Pest Management | Issues relating to pests can be a threat to the well-beings of our stakeholders and customers within our UCSF Communities. To ensure your safety and comfort, our Pest Control Services include: reliable barrier and exclusion methods by using traps and capture devices; mechanical removal techniques; vacuuming and suction methods as well as limiting chemical, pesticides and rodenticides pest control. One specific area our team takes seriously is using Physical Pest Control Methods comprised in a wide range of options such as: sealing cracks and new innovative VLINK Technology Traps. - Rodent Control: mice and rat
- Crawling Insect Control: ants, roaches, beetles, silverfish
- Flying Insect Control: fruit flies, black flies, gnats
- Migratory Pest Control: stinging insects (such as bees, hornets, wasps), black widow spiders
- Bird Pigeon Mitigation
- Mites and bedbugs control
- Other specialized pest management applications
|
What You Can Do
Pest prevention is a shared responsibility. You can support our efforts by following these best practices:
- Remove all food from tables and cabinets at the end of each day. Store food only in sealed, hard containers (e.g., Tupperware or Rubbermaid).
- Do not leave food packaging in desk-side trash bins overnight. Dispose of all food waste in large common area receptacles, which are emptied daily by Custodial Services.
- Keep lids closed on compost, recycling, and garbage bins.
- Store personal items and office supplies off the floor and on shelves to prevent creating harborage areas.
- Dispose of cardboard promptly to reduce potential nesting material.
- Use caution with secondhand furniture or appliances. Acquire only from reputable or verified sources.
Report these issues immediately:
- Water leaks
- Overflowing or lidless trash receptacles
- Doors and windows that do not fully close
- Project interruption due to noise, projects involving wall penetrations, and any doors being propped or pushed open.
Your observations are essential to the continued success of our pest management program. Together, we can ensure a cleaner, safer campus environment.
Ants in Office Environment: Biology, Treatment, and Best Practices
Guidance aligned with UCSF Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan
Ants are social insects that forage for food and water and communicate using pheromone trails. Once a scout ant finds a source (crumbs, spills, trash, or moisture), it leaves a chemical trail that recruits others, which is why activity can appear to increase quickly. Effective control requires removing attractants and targeting the colony, not just the visible ants.
Ant Biology and How Ants Get Into Workspaces
- Pheromone trails guide ants along repeatable routes to food and water (counters, break areas, desks, trash zones).
- Ants may travel through hidden spaces such as wall voids, baseboards, utility penetrations, and other interstitial pathways.
- Most indoor sightings are foraging workers; the colony is often in a protected void or outside the building.
Best Practices to Keep Offices Ant Free
- Clean immediately after food prep and eating. Wipe counters, tables, and appliance surfaces with a cleaner to remove food residues and pheromone trails.
- Store all food (snacks, sweets, tea supplies, and pet food if applicable) in tightly sealed containers like a Ziplock/Gladware or glass container with airtight lid. Avoid open bags and cardboard packaging.
- Rinse beverage containers and do not leave cups, bottles, or cans with residue out overnight.
- Manage waste: empty trash with food waste daily and keep lids closed. Rinse recyclables to remove sugary residues.
- Reduce moisture: report leaks and avoid standing water near sinks, breakrooms, and plant trays.
- Declutter: remove cardboard and excess stored items that can provide harborage and conceal trails.
Why Over the Counter Ant Sprays Are Not Acceptable
Most store-bought ant sprays are repellents. They may kill a few visible ants, but they do not eliminate the colony. Repellents can scatter ants into new routes and hidden voids, and may trigger colony budding (formation of satellite colonies), which can expand the issue to additional areas. Repellent sprays also interfere with bait based strategies used under the UCSF IPM Plan.
How UCSF and Pestec Treat Ant Activity (IPM Approach)
- Inspection to identify species, trail patterns, attractants, moisture sources, and entry points.
- Targeted placement of nonrepellent baits along active trails so workers carry bait back to the colony to eliminate it at the source.
- Follow-up monitoring and adjustment of placements as activity changes.
- Recommendations for sanitation, storage, and minor exclusion (sealing gaps) to prevent recurrence.
If you observe ant activity, please do not apply over-the-counter products. Submit a request through the appropriate UCSF work order process so the issue can be tracked and addressed using the UCSF IPM Plan. Early reporting supports faster, more effective control.
Ant Prevention in Housing Units
Ants are social insects that communicate with pheromones to locate and share food sources. Once a scout discovers food or water, it lays a chemical trail that recruits other ants. In multi‑unit buildings, ants frequently move through interstitial and void spaces (wall cavities, under baseboards, along plumbing and wiring) to reach kitchens, pantries, and break areas.
What You Can Do Right Now
- Clean food‑prep and dining areas immediately after use using a household cleaner to remove food residues and pheromone trails.
- Store all food (including snacks, cereals, pet food, and baking supplies) in tightly sealed, pest‑proof containers.
- Do not leave personal cups, bottles, or mugs with beverage residue on counters, desks, or sinks—rinse and put away daily.
- Empty trash and compost frequently and keep lids closed; wipe bins as needed to remove residues.
- Reduce clutter under sinks, along baseboards, and in pantries; keep items off floors and away from walls to limit harborage.
- Fix or report moisture issues (leaks, standing water, plant saucers) that can attract ants.
Avoid Over‑the‑Counter Sprays (Important)
Most consumer ant sprays are repellent. They may kill visible foragers, but they do not eliminate the colony. Repellent sprays disrupt trails and often trigger colony “budding”—the queen and workers split off to form satellite colonies, which can push the problem deeper into walls and into neighboring units. Repellents also interfere with professional baiting programs.
How UCSF & Pestec Will Address Ants
- Inspect units and common areas to identify species, travel routes, and conducive conditions.
- Place targeted, non‑repellent gel baits along active trails so workers carry the bait back to the nest to eliminate the colony (including the queen).
- Monitor activity and adjust placements; identify entry points and structural gaps for sealing where appropriate.
- Coordinate education and sanitation guidance with occupants to prevent recurrence.
If You See Ants
Do not spray. Instead, please contact Pest Control via BOSC 415.476.2021 they will dispatch to the correct departments. Reporting enables effective, building‑wide solutions without spreading the infestation.
Workplace - Rodent Prevention Best Practices
As part of our shared goal to maintain a clean, safe, and healthy work environment, we’d like to take a moment to highlight a few important practices that help prevent pest issues in our office spaces specifically, to deter rodent activity.
Rodents are opportunistic and can be attracted to work areas if basic precautions aren’t taken. The UCSF Facilities Manager and IPM Pest Control Supervisor are actively working together to identify and address structural deficiencies that may be contributing to rodent access.
To support our collective efforts in keeping P5 pest-free, we kindly ask for your attention and cooperation in the following areas:
Clean, Clutter-Free Workstations
- Keep all workstations organized and clutter-free.
- Avoid storing soft materials, cardboard, or unused boxes under or around desks as these offer potential nesting sites for rodents.
Food Storage and Consumption
- Do not eat or store food at your desk or in workstation drawers.
- All food must be stored in tightly sealed containers within designated kitchen areas only.
Waste Management
- Personal trash cans have been removed to prevent competing food sources for traps.
- Please use the centralized trash, recycling, and compost bins located in designated areas.
Clean-Up Practices
- Wipe down all food and beverage spills at your desk or shared areas immediately.
- Use disinfectant/cleaner to remove residues that rodents are attracted to by scent.
Cabinet and Drawer Checks
- Review and clean out desk drawers and storage cabinets.
- Remove forgotten snacks, food packaging, napkins, and other attractants.
- Minimize long-term storage of paper goods or soft materials that could serve as nesting material.
What Pestec Is Doing
Pestec is placing and monitoring traps in key areas. Please do not move or touch traps—they are carefully positioned for effectiveness.
With everyone’s help, we can minimize pest activity and maintain a safe, professional environment. Your continued attention and partnership in this effort are appreciated.
In P5 ICDC workspace, periodic mass trapping events are planned and coordinated to address surges in rodent activity. The UCSF Facilities Manager and IPM Pest Control Supervisor are actively working together to identify and address structural deficiencies contributing to rodent access.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Rodent-Free Lab Kitchen & Work Area Guide
For Researchers, Scientists, and Laboratory Staff
Why Sanitation Matters in Shared Lab Kitchens & Workspaces
Rodents are highly opportunistic pests that are drawn to environments offering food, water, warmth, and shelter—all of which can be inadvertently provided by human activity in shared research and break spaces. In a scientific setting, poor sanitation can also lead to cross-contamination of sensitive equipment, biological materials, and degrade professional work environments.
Common Conditions That Attract Rodents
1. Personal Drinkware & Food Containers
- Do not leave personal mugs, water bottles, or cups with residue (especially coffee, juice, or sugary drinks) on counters or desks.
- Beverage residue—even small traces—can attract rodents overnight.
- All containers should be rinsed thoroughly after use and either taken home or stored in a sealed cabinet.
2. Food Storage & Eating Habits
- No food should be stored in drawers, desks, or labs —even unopened snacks can emit odors detectable by rodents.
- All food must be stored in sealed, rodent-proof containers and kept only in designated kitchen areas.
- Avoid eating at workstations or anywhere inside other than a designated kitchen/break space, especially near sensitive equipment or chemicals.
3. Surface Cleanliness
- Crumbs, spills, and residues on tables, counters, and chairs are common causes of rodent activity.
- All food prep and eating areas must be wiped down immediately after use using a general-purpose cleaner or disinfectant.
- Don’t forget chair arms, sink drains, appliance tops, and microwave interiors. If you spill or drop anything or it splatters in the microwave, clean it up immediately to avoid attracting rodents.
4. Clutter & Harborage
- Stacks of boxes, unused lab equipment, and infrequently accessed supply cabinets create hiding and nesting areas.
- Keep all areas organized, regularly accessed, and off the floor when possible.
- Avoid letting materials pile up in corners or under sinks—rodents exploit low-traffic, low-visibility areas.
What UCSF Facilities and Pestec Are Doing
Entry Point Control
- Door sweeps have been installed and maintained in key lab and kitchen areas based on Pestec's recommendations.
- Gaps beneath doors, especially near stairwells, exits, or loading docks, have been sealed or flagged for repair.
Inspection & Monitoring
- Pestec performs routine inspections to identify early signs of rodent activity and environmental vulnerabilities.
- Pestec may install temporary monitoring or trapping devices in areas where rodent activity is suspected or confirmed.
Structural Deficiency Remediation
- Facilities and Pestec work together to assess and seal wall voids, gaps around utility penetrations, and other rodent entry points.
- Teams prioritize high-risk zones such as kitchens, shared offices, janitor closets, and equipment storage rooms.
Daily Best Practices Checklist for Lab Personnel
- No food or drinks left unattended in/outside personal or lab spaces
- Rinse or remove all personal mugs, cups, or water bottles
- Clean all surfaces immediately after eating or food prep
- Empty Non-Centralized trash bins with food waste daily—especially before weekends
- Store supplies off the floor and reduce paper or cardboard clutter
- Report sightings or droppings immediately to your Manager or Facilities Pest Control by calling BOSC at 415.476.2021
By following these best practices, you help create a clean, pest-free environment that supports safety, productivity, and professional standards.
For questions or concerns, please contact:
Vivian Straus-Gehring
IPM Pest Control Supervisor | IPM Committee Coordinator
Email: vivian.straus-gehring@ucsf.edu