As temperatures begin to drop, mice and other pests are searching for warmer spaces. These pests are an annoyance but also can carry disease and cause damage to the building and our art collection. We encourage all employees and volunteers to practice vigilance with food storage and food waste throughout the building. Here are some tips to avoid unwanted visitors.

Food Storage
Original food packaging is typically not enough to keep pests out of desk drawers. Food kept in office areas must be stored in hard plastic or metal containers to be safe.

Food Waste
Food waste and recycling must be disposed of in the tall bullet cans located in common areas throughout the building. The smaller office cans located at most desks are for non-food waste only. Please note that coffee cups are considered food waste.

Clean-up
If you eat your lunch in the office or in other spaces in the gallery (i.e. at your desk, the seating area overlooking the Gallery School, the tables in the Concourse corridor, in the Education Commons, outside Library & Archives) be sure to clean up any crumbs so as not to entice visitors.

Be Mindful
Please don’t use the tables in caféAGO on Mondays or outside of regular café hours as it is not cleaned during off hours. Please avoid taking breaks in spaces such as Jackman Theatre and the Jackman Lobby. Café dishes with food residue need to be returned to the café right away to avoid attracting pests to your location.

Thank you for your help!

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Noel, Manager, Facility Services at 416 979 6660 ext. 245 or Warren Wilson, Deputy Director, Facilities, ext. 466.