What are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown, parasitic oval-shaped insects roughly the size of an apple seed. They are most active at night, and they feed on blood. When they’re inside a home, they can be attracted to sleeping humans by cues such as carbon dioxide and body heat. They may emerge from their resting spots under mattresses, around headboards or in furniture to find their next meal, sometimes leaving small bites, which may resemble mosquito or flea bites. Generally, bed bugs feed every 5 to 10 days.
The name “bed bug” is slightly deceiving, as this creature can be found in more places than just between the sheets. Bed bugs doesn’t just infest houses and hotel rooms, they can make a home almost anywhere, including daycares, schools and colleges. Bed bugs are great hitchhikers, so how can you help keep your kids from bringing them home? Read on to learn some important bed bug prevention tips.
How do you keep bed bugs from coming home from school?
- Upon returning home from school, check your kid’s backpacks, jackets and clothing and keeping these items in a separate area of the house.
- Keep backpacks in plastic bags or closed storage bins. At minimum, do not leave backpacks in or near bedrooms.
- If bed bugs have been found at their school, have children disrobe immediately upon coming home, and place clothing in sealed plastic bags.
- Place clothing in a dryer (medium-high heat for 30-45 minutes) and throw out the plastic bag. Bed bugs can’t survive high heat.
- Engage the school administration. Ask them what precautionary and proactive measures they are taking to prevent the introduction and spread of bed bugs.
Call the Professionals
Treating bed bugs is not something you want to do yourself. It can be costly and ineffective, and bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of. If bed bugs have found their way into your home, or you think they might have, call ECO Bed Bug Exterminators at 202.709.7490 to get an inspection and a customized treatment plan.
