California Code § 101238(a)(1): Pest Control Requirements

📋Type B Violation🏢Affects: Child Care Centers

What Is California Code § 101238(a)(1): Pest Control Requirements?

California Code § 101238(a)(1)

The licensee shall take measures to keep the center free of flies, other insects, and rodents.

💡Insider's Tips

Inspectors walk the entire facility and they're looking at corners, under sinks, behind appliances, and along baseboards. One ant trail in the kitchen or a few flies near the trash is enough for a citation. They don't distinguish between 'a small problem' and an infestation in the write-up. Orange County led citations with 5 facilities in the past 90 days, followed by LA with 3. The standard is that you take active measures to keep the facility free of pests, so inspectors also want to see what you're doing to prevent them. Keep a pest control log showing regular treatments, seal entry points around pipes and windows, and store all food in airtight containers, including staff lunches in the break area.

facilities cited recently

That's 1 in 3333 facilities

counties affected

most common citation

📉

Decreasing

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days

11 facilities (was 21)10 facilities

Source: California CCLD inspection records | Data: last 90 days as of Feb 16, 2026

How to Avoid Pest Control Requirements Citations

✓ Prevention Checklist

Take active measures to keep facility free of flies, insects, and rodents
Implement pest prevention strategies (proper food storage, cleaning, maintenance)
Address pest issues immediately when they appear
Maintain sanitary conditions that prevent pest attraction
Document pest control measures when applicable

❌ Common Mistakes

Ignoring a few ants because they seem minor. Providers think a small number of insects doesn't count, but the regulation says 'free of flies, other insects, and rodents.' Any visible pest presence can be documented as a deficiency.
Using consumer-grade bug spray in areas children access. Providers try to handle pest problems themselves with products that aren't approved for use in childcare settings. Inspectors check what chemicals are stored on-site and whether they're applied safely.
Leaving fruit out on counters or not emptying trash daily. Providers set out fruit bowls for snack time and forget to put leftovers away. This attracts flies within hours, and if an inspector walks in during that window, it's documented.
Not addressing exterior entry points like gaps under doors or cracks around window frames. Providers focus on cleaning inside but ignore how pests get in. Inspectors note structural conditions that invite pest problems as part of their assessment.

What's Being Cited in Each Region Over the Past 90 Days

Based on facility inspection reports filed with California's Community Care Licensing Division, here's how this citation appears across different regions in the past 90 days.

Alameda County

2 citations

Riverside County

2 citations

Santa Clara County

2 citations

San Francisco County

2 citations

Orange County

1 citations

Solano County

1 citations

Los Angeles County

1 citations

Data updated weekly from CCLD public records. Last update: 2/16/2026

See California Code § 101238(a)(1): Pest Control Requirements Citations in Your County

📊 Free County Intel

✓ County-wide citation rates
✓ Day-of-week patterns
✓ Anonymous facility examples
✓ Prevention checklists

⭐ PRO

Your Facility Intel

🎯 YOUR days overdue + risk score
📍 Named facilities near you cited
🚨 Hot zone alerts for your area
⚠️ Personalized action plan

Join providers across California who prepare with intelligence, not anxiety.

No credit card • Cancel anytime • Real patterns from real inspections

Want YOUR facility's risk score? Upgrade to Pro ($9.99/mo)

💡

This Checklist Is Generic. Your Situation Isn't.

FREE members see county-wide patterns. Pro members get their exact risk factors.

Pro members would see:

🎯 "YOUR facility: 551 days overdue (longer than 0% of similar facilities)"
🚨 "HOT ZONE: 13 nearby facilities visited LAST WEEK"
⚠️ "URGENT: Prepare for inspection THIS WEEK (3 active risk factors)"
📍 "48 overdue facilities in 3-mile radius (cluster risk)"

Get YOUR Facility Risk Score - $9.99/mo

Not ready? Get free county intel instead

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pest Control Requirements?

California Code 101238(a)(1) requires you to take active measures to keep your facility free of flies, insects, and rodents. The standard isn't "mostly pest-free" or "manageable levels." Any visible pest presence during an inspection can be documented as a deficiency. This covers your entire facility: classrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, storage areas, outdoor play spaces, and anywhere children or food are present.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of February 08, 2026, 14 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 6 California counties. That's roughly 1 in 2,857 inspected facilities. Orange County leads with 5 citations, followed by Los Angeles with 3, and Alameda and Santa Clara with 2 each. Citations cluster in warmer months and in counties where outdoor pest pressure is higher year-round.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors walk the entire facility checking corners, under sinks, behind appliances, and along baseboards. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, a single ant trail in the kitchen or a few flies near the trash is enough for a write-up. They don't distinguish between a small problem and an infestation in the documentation. Inspectors also note structural conditions that invite pests, like gaps under exterior doors or cracks around pipes. If they see consumer-grade bug spray stored where children can access it, that creates a separate concern.

How can I prevent this citation?

Store all food in airtight containers, including staff lunches in the break area. Empty trash bins daily and clean under appliances weekly. Seal entry points around pipes, windows, and exterior doors. Schedule regular professional pest control treatments and keep a log showing dates and methods. Put fruit away immediately after snack time instead of leaving it out on counters, since flies can appear within hours.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Address the specific pest issue immediately with appropriate treatment methods safe for childcare settings. Schedule a professional pest control service if you haven't already, and get documentation of the treatment. Seal any entry points the inspector noted, then photograph the repairs. Start a pest control log showing ongoing prevention measures and submit it with your plan of correction. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

Related Violations

102425(c)

Infant Sleep Plans

34 facilities affected

View details →

1596.954

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

8 facilities affected

View details →

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed childcare compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

Share ReadyRule: