By Ellen Garnett
Staff Writer

The grey plastic rocks around campus are NOT creepy NSA wire-tapping devices or cameras. Public Safety is not watching your every move via plastic rocks. These rocks are actually part of Buildings and Grounds’ Integrated Pest Management System (IPM) for rodents.

Notice how each rock is anchored right next to a building. This is because pests such as rodents tend to travel along the outside edges of buildings, said Steve Gusmimi, Simmons Director of Buildings and Grounds.

“It’s our first line of defense,” Gusmini said.

Buildings and Grounds implemented these pest management units approximately five to seven years ago, said Gusmini. Both Simmons’ academic and residence campuses have the units, which contain bait to lure rodents. These units fulfill three main purposes, which are prevention, monitoring, and using the lowest impact treatment, said Gusmini. Simmons is also not the only campus to implement such a system.

The rock units that Simmons uses are also a common practice for Emmanuel College and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Wheelock College, Massachusetts College of Art, and Wentworth Institute of Technology have similar systems that involve black poison control boxes.

Gusmini believes the units are working, but asks students and staff alike to do their part in helping manage the pest population.

“The Simmons community can help our prevention efforts by not leaving food out in their rooms, lounges, or offices,” said Gusmini in a follow-up e-mail interview. “Any food you have should be stored in airtight containers.”