New Jersey pest control experts are warning residents that bed bugs could be found in area schools. Because bed bugs are master hitchhikers, they can easily be transported home with children in book bags, winter coats, hats, gloves or clothing. A Jersey City, New Jersey middle school student discovered bed bugs in a classroom several weeks ago. He promptly told his principal about the bloodsuckers, but to date, the school has remained open for students. With the holiday break approaching, school officials decided to keep the school in question open and “spot treat” any bed bugs that are seen in the school. School official’s report that they are trying to confine the bed bugs to one floor of the school building until NJ pest control experts can provide complete services once the students are home for winter break. The decision to not close the school and provide treatment by a NJ pest control specialist immediately could prove frustrating and costly for many families as it is very possible that students have already taken the blood suckers home with them.
The New Hanover County School District in Wilmington, North Carolina has recently discovered bed bugs in two of their public schools. Their students are already on winter break and the schools in question are being aggressively treated by pest control experts. In addition to pest control treatments, the School District has joined forces with the Health Department to develop a new protocol to follow when a school suffers from a bed bug infestation.
According to the New Hanover County School District, most School District’s in the United States are developing a plan for educating their families about how to deal with bed bug infestations, but there is no real protocol that a school should mimic when it becomes infested with the buggers. School and Health Department officials hope to design a “cutting edge” bed bug eradication program that will not only help their School District, but also serve as a model for others who are seeking help in fighting bed bug infestations.