Bed Bugs in Schools and Colleges
Bed Bugs are very good hitchhikers. They can easily travel along
with children to school, on their clothing, backbackpacks, purses,
books, or other items they may carry. Typically, problems develop
in schools when students or staff members inadvertently bring the
bed bugs from their homes.
In order to ensure that this
does not become a problem, educate your school community about bed bugs. If a
potential infestation is spotted, promptly respond to the situation, appropriately.
- Collect the specimen and bring it to a trained professional for
a positive identification.
- Arrange for a professional inspection of the area by a pest control
professional.
- Determine the source of origin of the infestation (who
brought them in to the school), and offer them helpful resources—educational
material, suggestions for limiting the personal belongings brought
to school, or sealing them appropriately.
- Have the school nurse, or other trained professional, inspect
all items that are brought into the school, to ensure that they
are clean of bugs.
- If an infestation has been determined,
an informative letter should be sent home, informing parents
of the problem that has arisen in their child’s school.
Bed
Bugs can also be a problem in college dorm rooms. Residential college
students must treat their first day of school as if they’ve just
arrived at a hotel for their vacation. You must inspect the room before
you settle in, including the mattress, box spring, drawers, and all
cracks and crevices. Make sure to use a flashlight, so that all dark
corners are covered. You don’t want to bring any creatures home
with you!
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