With schools back in session, it’s important to know how to protect your home from a potential bed bug infestation. Bed bugs thrive in heavily populated areas, like classrooms and college dorms, and are excellent hitchhikers.
The National Pest Management Association recommends the following bed bug prevention tips for students, to reduce the risk of a bed bug infestation.
Grades K-12:
- Parents should regularly inspect their children’s belongings for hitchhiking bed bugs
- If the school has reported an infestation, consider housing all related items in a sealed plastic bin
- Wash and dry cloth items returning from school in hot temperatures
- Ask school administrators whether they have bed bug detection and elimination plans
College:
- Fully inspect suitcases prior to re-packing for a return to school, especially after any summer trips
- Before putting sheets on the dormitory bed, inspect the mattress seams, particularly at the corners, and box springs for telltale stains or spots
- Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, including behind the headboard and in sofas and chairs
- Inspect any “secondhand” furniture for bed bugs before bringing it into dormitory rooms or off-campus housing
For existing bed bug infestations, contact a professional exterminator that specializes in bed bug control solutions.
