5 tips to prevent bringing bed bugs home from school

It’s that busy time of year when kids are back to school. Schedules are full of sports practices and other after school activities. Unfortunately, you have one more thing to add to your to-do list – check your children for bed bugs.

Lice was always a concern for parents of school-aged children, but there is a new bug in town. Bed bugs can be found almost anywhere and that includes schools. The most likely places you might encounter bed bugs are on or inside bags, backpacks, or purses and on personal items like coats, hats, and clothing.

Although bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, their presence can cause psychological distress for many people. Reports of bed bug infestations have increased in recent years. The best way to avoid an infestation is to prevent bed bugs from entering your home. 

The tips

Here are five tips you can follow to help your children avoid bringing bed bugs home from school:

1. Encourage children to keep their backpacks and coats separate from other children’s belongings.

2. At home, keep school bags and coats out of the bedroom and off the bed and couch.

3. Inspect the seams and nooks and crannies of the exterior of your child’s backpack.

4. Empty backpacks weekly, inspecting items as you go. If you find bed bugs, placing the empty bag in the dryer on high for 30 minutes will kill both bugs and eggs.

5. Be on the lookout for notifications from your children’s school regarding bed bug concerns.

If you think you might have bed bugs or have spotted them in your home, Ehrlich Pest Control can help. Our technicians will work with you to determine the best treatment method for you and your family to give you peace of mind. Contact us today for a free inspection.