RATS, flies and ants in school kitchens and rodents in reception and nursery classes were among 140 cases dealt with by pest control officers in South Wales schools in one year.
One child was even allegedly bitten by a rat at Romilly Junior School in Barry while playing football. Cwmfelinfach Primary, Caerphilly, was closed for three days because of a rodent infestation.
And Afon Taf High in Merthyr Tydfil had to call out pest control five times in the last academic year.
In September, it had ants in its kitchen. In February, it had a mouse infestation in the senior school kitchen. In May, the kitchen was infested with flies. And in June, the mice had returned.