You teach your kids to share, but when they are at school, they may be sharing more than pencils and toys. With a new school year brings new concerns about sharing bed bugs. Here is how you can avoid bed bugs this school year.
Schools And Bed Bugs - A Perfect Match
Bed bugs are silent travelers. They can sneak into bags, coats, and umbrellas, all without anyone ever noticing.
Bed bugs can spread quickly from one student's possessions to another very easily. If your child places their backpack near a backpack with bed bugs on it, those bed bugs can easily transfer from one bag to the other and when your child gets home, the infestation begins.
Did Your Child Bring Home Bed Bugs?
You need to teach your child to be on the lookout for bed bugs. The warning signs may be the only indicator that you have them. In many cases, you won’t actually see the bed bugs at all.
First, let's start with where the bed bugs might be - your child’s room. Think about the route the backpack takes throughout the day: house, bus, hooks at school (next to other bags), bus, and finally, home again. If your child leaves his/her backpack on the floor in their room, the bed bugs are going to get out of the bag and get comfortable in that space. Teaching your child how to be aware of the signs of bed bugs will be your greatest defense.
Teach children to say something if they see something weird or feel bites on their skin. When you child makes his/her bed in the morning, teach them how to look in the seams of the bed. If they see little bugs or anything that resembles a crumb or a seed, they should let you know immediately. A second place to look when making their bed is on the sheets and pillows. Are there any new spots? If so, it’s time to call in mom or dad to take a look. Inspect for little drops of blood or fecal stains on the sheets. Crushed bugs may also be present.
Finally, if your child is feeling itchy, they need to let you know. Bed bugs have distinct bite patterns. Bed bugs feed on blood, and when they do so, they stick to a pattern. Bed bug bites are evident by a line of small bites that are itchy and red. They are not large like mosquito bites. Bed bug bites are usually along the back and shoulders.
What To Do If Your Child Brings Home Bed Bugs
If your child brings bed bugs home from school, call Big Blue Bug Solutions. Then, strip your child’s bed, empty the backpack, and wash it all right away. Use only hot water and don’t put them back in the room until the professionals arrive. There is no easy fix for bed bugs. If you see one, there are many more hiding that you don’t see.
Big Blue Bug Solutions has a bed bug treatment for South Portland residents. We will complete a thorough inspection of your child’s room and the rest of your home and create an effective treatment plan. Call now if you think your student brought home bed bugs, you will be glad you did.