It comes as no surprise to New Jersey pest control professionals that the National Pest Management Association is reporting that the number one place that pest control professionals are finding bloodsucking bed bug infestations is in college dorms. Movie theaters have seen a 5 percent increase in bed bug infestations, and public transportation has reportedly seen a 9 percent increase. These bed bug infestation increases should put all college students on high alert to the little buggers that attack in the night!
A recent survey that was conducted by the University of Kentucky and the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) called “2011 Bugs Without Borders Survey” revealed important information provided by pest management professionals about their bed bug encounters throughout the United States.
You may read the 2011 Bugs Without Borders Survey here.
Several colleges and universities have already reported having bed bug infestations in their college dorms as the onslaught of students began arriving on campus. A variety of treatment procedures have been underway to eradicate the blood thirsty pests. Heat treatment, pesticides, and bed bug sniffing dogs have been used in hopes of achieving full eradication.
All college students should know that adult bed bugs are easy to spot with careful examination. They are reddish brown and about the size of an apple seed. Once they have a blood meal, they turn brighter red. Nymphs are smaller versions of the adult bed bugs. They too turn red once they feed. Bed bug eggs are difficult to see, but not impossible. They are whitish in color and have a sticky outer coating. You can find the eggs stuck to just about any type of surface where a bed bug has traveled.
Bed bugs are excellent at hiding in any crack or crevice, but they do leave signs behind of their existence. Students should look for piles of black specs that are left behind in their wake, which is the fecal matter of the bed bugs. Students should also look for blood smears on mattresses and sheets.
It’s important for college students to be mindful of the potential of picking up bed bugs all year long as these nasty nibblers are always on the hunt for a new victim and travel with such ease.