Bed bugs have been making a comeback in the last several years. They’re popping up everywhere, from homes to schools and anywhere people congregate! The problem is that everyone is doing the same thing –frequently vacuuming, spraying with pesticides – and it isn’t working.
Bed bugs are resilient little creatures, and they can end up hitchhiking in your belongings for long distances. Once you bring bed bugs into your home or place of business, you’ll have a real battle on your hands if you want to get rid of them.
Luckily, there are a few different ways to keep bed bugs away from schools. Here are five ways to help prevent an infestation in your school
.1) Understand the Problem
In order to determine how to keep bed bugs away, it’s important first of all to understand what they are and why they cause so much trouble. While bed bugs may be small in size, they can impact business for schools.
Because of their resistance to pesticides, these pests have evolved into stealthy tormentors that leave behind a telltale trail of blood spots wherever they nest. And if you believe you or your students have come into contact with these pesky critters, prevention is key to keeping them at bay.
2) Know Where Bed Bugs Are Most Likely
Cleaning is always your first line of defense when it comes to getting rid
of bed bugs, so you’ll want to start there. Your second line of defense against bed bugs will be monitoring their activity. Keeping an eye on areas where they like to hide (like behind wall hangings or in-ceiling fixtures) will help you catch infestations before they grow too big.
Identifying pest-prone surfaces ahead of time can also help reduce your risk for a bug problem in schools. Knowing what to look for can get you ahead of any bed bug outbreak.
An integrated pest management program can also help prevent infestations in facilities. Additionally, teaching students what they should do upon returning home after a trip. Make sure you check all belongings, check sheets, and pillows for signs of bed bug activity. All these can reduce the risk of introducing bed bugs into your institution.
3) Use Pest Control Techniques That Are Safe
Using pesticides in a school is dangerous and not recommended by professional exterminators. Bed bugs can also become resistant to certain pesticides over time, so it’s essential to use safe methods for the school. A pest management professional can recommend bed bug control techniques that are safe, effective, and won’t pose any health risks to students or staff.
The best way to safely remove bed bugs from your property is to use an extermination process called thermal remediation or more commonly known as a heat treatment. Heat treatments are the most effective and affordable way of get rid of bed bugs once they have nested inside an area.
When you heat treat to kill bed bugs, you’re only harming them, not exposing your students to toxic chemicals. You’ll avoid any dangerous contact with the pests. When you use heat treatments, it’s also a good idea to include a thorough inspection of the areas you treat. This will help you get rid of any hidden bed bug hiding spots.
4) Inspect Before You Move In!
Bed bugs are resilient, but they don’t just appear out of thin air. In most cases, an infestation begins when people bring infested objects into a home, office, school etc. If you have furniture or equipment that was used in a previously infested building, be sure to carefully inspect and or treat them before bringing them into your school or location.
It’s also essential to remember bed bugs can live for up to 18 months without feeding. So, if you haven’t had a problem with bed bugs in years (or ever), it doesn’t mean one won’t show up someday! Inspections and preventative measures are always intelligent business practices.
5) Hire A Professional Exterminator
As soon as you spot a bed bug problem, call in a professional exterminator. It might seem overkill to hire someone who specializes in getting rid of bed bugs, but they know what they’re doing and how to do it quickly and efficiently. The last thing you want is a bed bug outbreak that is out of control because you didn’t have the right tools and techniques on hand.
Rest assured, professional extermination costs are minuscule compared with prolonged exposure to these tiny pests. The stress they can cause may be enough to hurt your reputation, causing parents look elsewhere for services.
If you feel as though you may have a bed bug infestation and would like to talk to our one of our knowledgeable experts, please feel free to call or text us at (813) 922-8475 so that we can help answer your questions and discuss the entire treatment process and options available to you.
