College students are now returning home in droves anxious to begin their summer vacation. Some will travel to places near and far. Some have new jobs awaiting their arrival back home. In the excitement of their return home, it’s easy to forget that your college student may not be arriving home alone. Many pest control professionals in Ocean County, NJ are reporting that panicked New Jersey parents are calling asking for help with a new unwanted houseguest that hitched a ride home with their inbound college student this month. Living in close quarters with a multitude of people is one way that bed bugs can be transported. It is anticipated that approximately 50 percent of people suffer the allergic reaction that is associated with bed bug bites so it is easy to see how pesky bed bugs can hitch a ride back home from college.
Here are some steps that a concerned parent should take to avoid letting bed bugs into their home…
- Scrutinize every article that is returning home with your child. Bed bugs are masters at hiding in all types of material, especially cracks and crevices.
- Launder every piece of clothing, bedding, etc. in hot water and dry on high heat. Bed bugs or their eggs cannot withstand the heat and will die in about 20 minutes.
- Items that cannot be laundered can be placed in a plastic bag in the freezer for two weeks to kill bed bugs and their eggs (no electronics).
- If you see bed bugs or signs of bed bugs, immediately call a pest control expert in Ocean County, NJ to eradicate the pests.
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