It’s the small things really – the small, creepy, crawling, icky things.

Lewiston’s schools have been honored by the IPM Institute of North America for the way they deal with pests. The nonprofit group advocates for a smarter pest management policies. In 2003, Lewiston put in place a comprehensive plan to control bugs and rodents through means that don’t rely upon harsh chemicals and poisons.

By thinking about the causes of infestations, instead of just the remedies, the city’s schools have been able to reduce their reliance on toxins. It seems like common sense, moving Dumpsters away from buildings, using weatherstripping to lock out bugs and cleaning up food before it can attract hungry visitors, but only 13 other school systems have been recognized by the IPM Institute since it was founded in 1998.

Considering the danger posed by some pesticides and cleaning agents when used and stored around children, you’d think every school system in America would be putting its foot down on tiny trespassers. Not so. Lewiston’s leading the way and setting an example for other school systems on how to get the bugs out.