Bed Bugs and Dorm Rooms

Our recent graduates are shopping and packing for their first trip to college and dormitory life. College dorms are about to be invaded by people from all over the country and all over the world. Anyone could be bringing a bed bug stowaway from home and some students are bound to encounter a bed bug infestation that was not completely eradicated last year. Bed bugs are very tenacious, if you treat them with pesticides.

At Indiana University, facilities managers have taken a proactive approach. They have created a web page full of advice for new and returning students for avoiding and preventing bed bug problems in their dorm rooms and off-campus housing, where they are found even more often.

Here are some highlights:

• Add a mattress cover to your list of necessities
• Inspect your dorm room thoroughly before you unpack–Check bed frames and headboards, behind anything on the walls, in the cracks of upholstered furniture and mattresses for stains or any other signs of bed bugs. Also inspect inside and under drawers, moldings and floors.
• Call your building manager, landlord or house director immediately if you find signs of bed bugs
• Do not use sprays or “bug bombs” to treat bed bugs yourself–they can be dangerous and pesticides do not work well at killing bed bugs
• Wash and change your bedding at least weekly
• Don’t bring home furniture you find on the street–it could be infested. If you do want to use some previously owned furniture, inspect it very carefully before you bring it in
• Don’t be embarrassed and not tell anyone–A bed bug infestation is not your fault or a sign that you are not clean. Other residents in your building should be informed of the infestation so that you can all work together to eradicate the pests.
• DON’T PANIC! Bed bugs are not the end of the world, but they do need to be treated.

Click HERE for more information from Indiana University on preventing bed bugs in college.

Alliance Environmental Group uses ThermaPureHeat to kill bed bugs at every stage of development and we can treat an entire dorm in one day, without making everyone move out or wash all of their belongings. Heat leaves no chemical residue and poses no danger to people or property. It does kill all bed bugs and their eggs, preventing reinfestation when eggs hatch and start the lifecycle over again.

I’m glad I still have a couple of years before my kids leave the nest, but you’d better bet I’ll be taking a very close look at that dorm room before I wave goodbye!

Wendy Stackhouse is the Online Community Manager for Alliance Environmental Group and AirTek Indoor Air Solutions. We welcome your comments and questions! For more news and tips or talk to our experts, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! For updates on indoor air challenges, Like us at AirTek on Facebook!