It’s that time of year when college students are heading off to begin their new schooling adventures. Should parents be concerned about their child encountering bed bugs this school year?
The answer is yes!
The summertime travel season is when most people tend to pick up bed bugs. Lurking in hotels, motels, cruise ships, airplanes, taxi cabs, and rental cars, the tiny little bloodsuckers can hitch a ride on any person or piece of luggage at any point in time. Here are some helpful tips for avoiding bed bugs at college…
• Look online at pictures of what a bed bug looks like. Knowing the appearance of the pest can help to alleviate misidentification and can help to find the critters early before an infestation spreads.
• If sharing a dorm room, students should keep an eye out for bed bugs as some people may have bed bugs and not know that the pests have infested their home.
• Upon arriving at the college dorm, look for bed bugs, or signs of their existence before unpacking. Look for shed skins, fecal matter, blood stains, e hiding in the wood frame as they like the textured surface.
• Bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices so be sure to check dressers, desks, armoires, etc. for the pests.
You will find that with a little effort and knowledge, you can help your college student remain bed bug free this school year. A Monmouth County, NJ exterminator can help to eliminate bed bugs if your student happens to bring the bloodsucking pest home.