Every year at this time, millions of teenagers and young people throughout the nation are returning to college for an additional year of higher education. These college students have a bright future as they settle into off-campus residences as well as residence halls on campus and prepare for a successful first semester. It is very simple to overlook the minor details during all the excitement, which can easily sabotage a promising start to the school year.
The number of bed bugs in the United States has risen dramatically in the past decade. Many people wrongly assume that bed bugs can only be found in dirty homes or on old furniture, but this is not the case at all; bed bugs are quite content in a spotless hospital as they are in a shabby trailer park. Bed bugs have recently made a home in college dorms. Many guests are traveling from out of town, potentially bringing bed bugs with them. Furthermore, they can do their laundry here before returning home for the holidays. There is no better situation for a bed bug.
Students, as well as parents who drive their children to school, must remember to protect themselves against these tiny little invaders. It only takes a few minutes for a bed bug or two to make their way onto your clothing or into your bags, where they will remain undetected until they have laid hundreds of eggs and hatched a whole new generation of pests for you to deal with. It is critical to be on the lookout for bed bugs at any overnight stops on the way to school. Take a few minutes, no matter how tired you are, to peel back the sheets, especially near the head of the bed, and inspect the mattress for signs of bed bug activity. Typically, you will notice dirt marks and smears that could be feces or even blood droplets from a previous meal. You might even see the bugs themselves, or the casings that growing juveniles leave behind. If you find any indication of a problem, do not unpack and notify the front desk immediately.
Even when you arrive at school and everyone is excited to get in and settle in, your bed bug investigation is far from over. Before unpacking any bags, both parents and students should thoroughly inspect the bed and all of the furniture in the room. Bed bugs can survive for months just waiting for students to return to school for a snack. Even if everything appears to be in order, it is a good idea to recheck for bed bugs on a regular basis. It is a common misconception on college campuses that bed bugs are only found in dorm rooms. These tenacious creatures have been known to wait for the ideal host in the cafeteria, library, classrooms, or even on a bench outside. Regularly inspecting your living quarters can help you save a lot of time and heartache later on and prevent the spread.
If bed bugs are ever discovered, ECO Bed Bug has the solution! Whether they are discovered in a dorm room or a studio apartment, our bed bug professionals can not only find the cause of your infestation but also eradicate it. We can also handle it if your student brought them home to you. Call us right away and inquire about a commercial or residential inspection.
