Heading off to college is an exciting time for ambitious students. But college life comes with its fair share of challenges, not the least of which is dealing with bed bugs. These tiny, blood-sucking pests are becoming increasingly common on college campuses. They invade dorm rooms and common areas; apartments and laundry rooms.
For students living in close quarters and moving frequently, understanding how to deal with bed bugs and prevent infestations is essential. Here are some key tips to help you remain bed bug free throughout your academic adventure.
Inspect Your Rooms When You Move In
When students arrive on campus they naturally want to get moved in quickly. But before unpacking anything it is important to inspect your dorm rooms or apartment carefully. Focus on first on the bed, mattress and box spring. Look for any signs of bed bug activity. These include small rust-colored stains, shed skins, and tiny dark fecal droppings.
After you’ve checked out the bed, look around the room itself. Check along baseboards and under carpets. Inspect any cracks or crevices that could be hiding bed bugs. If you spot any signs of these unwanted pests notify your housing office of landlord immediately.
Use Mattress Encasements
One of the easiest ways to protect a bed from infestation is to use a bed bug-proof mattress encasement. These are zippered covers that totally encase your mattress and box spring, trapping any existing bugs inside while keeping others out.
Make sure the encasement you choose is specifically designed for bed bugs as standard covers won’t provide the protection you want. This simple proactive step adds a layer of defense against bed bugs and makes spotting them much easier.
Beware of Secondhand Furniture
Buying used furniture can be a great way to safe money, but it also raises your risk of being exposed to bed bugs. Never bring upholstered furniture into your dorm or apartment without thoroughly inspecting them first. Bed bugs can hide in seams, joints, and upholstery. If you’re not sure about the history of cleanliness of a secondhand item it’s best to pass on it. Better safe than sorry.
Keep Your Rooms Free of Clutter
A bed bug’s survival depends on it’s ability to hide from it’s host. A cluttered dorm room or apartment gives these pests plenty of hiding places. So it’s important to keep your dorm room or apartment clean and tidy.
Avoid leaving piles of clothes on the floor. Store items on shelves or in plastic bins. Regularly vacuum around your bed, around furniture, and along baseboards. A clean and clutter-free room not only makes it harder for bed bugs to settle in, it makes it easier for you to spot any wayward pests before an infestation can take hold.
Wash Bedding and Clothing Regularly
Laundry and college life can sometimes be at odds with one another. But keeping on top of your laundry is an easy way to prevent bed bugs. Wash your bedding, clothing and other fabrics in hot water and dry them on the highest heat setting available. This is a simple preventative measure that can help you avoid an infestation.
Make this a regular habit, especially if you suspect there may be a bed bug problem on campus or in your apartment building. Laundromats are common in college settings, so take advantage of them for routine high-heat washing and drying.
Be Careful when Traveling
College students and travel go hand in hand. Semester breaks, holidays, or internships all provide ample opportunities for travel. That’s true for bed bugs, too. These pests are notorious for hitchhiking on luggage and other personal belongings.
When staying in hostels or hotels be sure to inspect the room before unpacking. Keep your suitcase on a luggage rack or in the bathroom, away from the bed and carpeting. Check the bed, the furniture and the curtains for signs of bed bugs. Only when you’re certain your rooms are bed bug-free should you unpack.
When you get back to campus, inspect your suitcase and belongings thoroughly before bringing it back into your room. Wash all of your clothes in hot water (even the ones you didn’t wear) and dry on high heat just to be sure you didn’t pick any bed bugs up on your travels.
Talk to Your Roommates
If you live with roommates, it’s important that everyone is on the same page about bed bug prevention. One careless person can bring them in and affect everyone. Share tips, agree to inspect luggage after breaks, and keep shared spaces clean. Cooperation can make a huge difference in avoiding infestations.
What to do if You Get Bed Bugs
Campus housing is particularly vulnerable to bed bug infestations. There’s a lot of people coming and going, lots of shared common areas, and a tendency for students to be less than studious about their household chores. If despite your best efforts you end up with bed bugs don’t panic. But don’t ignore the situation either. Take action.
If you suspect you have bed bugs in your dorm –
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Report the issue immediately to campus housing.
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Avoid moving to another room as this can spread the infestation.
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Bag and isolate your belongings. Especially clothing and bedding.
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Avoid over-the-counter insecticides as they are often ineffective and make your problem much worse. Most schools are obligated to treat bed bug infestations professionally, so don try to manage the situation yourself.
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Follow all instructions from campus housing and their professional pest control team.
College students are particularly vulnerable to bed bugs because of frequent travel, shared spaces, and secondhand furniture. But with a little awareness and a few simple precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk. Being proactive and vigilant can save you from the stress and disruption of a bed bug problem during your college years. Staying informed is the first step in staying bug-free.
Published by Scott Palatnik
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