There have been plenty of stories about bedbugs in the last couple of years. These nasty little creatures, that are very difficult to eradicate, have been found in all 50 states, according the National Pest Management Association. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently held its second national bedbug summit.
According to Education Week, bedbugs are moving into schools across the nation via student and staff clothing and backpacks. While the threat of a school infestation seems to be limited because schools just don’t have the type of soft furniture, no bedding—places that bedbugs thrive—the threat is people then carrying the critters to their homes. Bedbugs infestations happen where people sleep.
Why? Bedbugs are nocturnal, and their food is human blood—you sleep, they bite. While they are not disease mongers, bedbugs are very hard to get rid of—and treatments are expensive. So picking up bedbugs at school, and then giving them a ride to your house where they can cause a problem, needs to be avoided.
So, what can your school do to help the situation? Rather than call attention to a student whose family may be dealing with an infestation at home by banning the student from school, the Cincinnati public schools require that every person place their backpacks and coats in plastic bags. “It becomes standard practice, and nobody’s singled out,” said District Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator Cynthia Eghbalnia.
The Michigan Department of Community Health, which has dealt with bedbugs in Michigan schools, developed a fact sheet about bedbugs and guidelines on what to do should you find them in your school. Includes a sample notification letter for parents and a sample inspection form. Download it here.
Read Education Week’s story, “Experts Warn Schools to Be Ready for Bedbug Sightings” for more information.
Thomas Green, President of the Integrated Pest Management Institute, presented a workshop on bedbugs and schools at the EPA’s Summit. View his PowerPoint here.
