Bed bug control and prevention on college campuses

Bed bugs on college campuses

Bed bugs are known for hitchhiking and can travel by plane, train, or car to homes, hotels, and even schools. According to a 2018 survey of almost 250 pest control providers, about half of the facilities treated for bed bugs were college campuses. In particular, student housing is at an increased risk of bed bugs, as students come from all over to live in a shared space. With students constantly on the move, going back and forth from home to campus, it’s no surprise that these pests hitchhike their way onto college campuses.

So, how can universities stop bed bugs from coming onto campus grounds? Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to ensure a completely bed-bug-free campus. However, there are preventative measures you can take to reduce infestations from occurring.

Educate students about bed bugs

Educating students on the signs and risks of bed bugs is imperative. It takes everyone involved (staff and students alike) to help detect an infestation before it gets out of hand. Early detection is critical as the sooner the issue is identified, the easier it will be to contain and control. It is important to note that anyone, not just students, can bring bed bugs into a building – the cleaning staff, residence hall directors, resident assistants, and even professors. Consider educating the entire school community on the following topics:

• Basic bed bug biology, identification, and habits
• Roles and responsibilities regarding bed bug control
• The university’s philosophy on proactive bed bug processes
• Actions helpful in reducing the risk of bed bugs spreading
• Who to contact with bed bug questions

Free bed bug training for your staff

Facilitating bed bug education includes providing comprehensive learning materials to staff and students. This can be done via an educational seminar on what the university is doing to prevent and control bed bugs. It is paramount that all university staff be prepared with the exact steps to take in the case that a bed bug is spotted on campus. Rentokil offers a free, one-hour bed bug training designed to arm staff with all the knowledge they need to identify bed bugs and the signs of an infestation. Through the training, staff will understand best practices for handling a suspected bed bug issue and effective treatment methods.

Proactive bed bug measures

In addition to education, there are certain proactive measures colleges can take to combat the risk of bed bug infestations. During seasonal breaks such as winter, summer, and spring, universities can conduct periodic inspections such as canine sweeps while the students are not present to prevent any potential bed bug infestations. Additionally, Rentokil technicians can provide proactive treatments to the dorm room and furniture.

Bed bugs in dorms

Without question, the most common location for bed bugs on a college campus is dormitories. The tiny rooms are packed with furniture, including desks, chairs, shelves, and, of course, beds.

90% of bed bugs in infested homes are found near the box spring or mattress, making mattress encasements a must for dorm room beds. The main purpose of a mattress encasement is to protect the integrity of the mattress by keeping bed bugs from getting inside and starting an infestation. A mattress encasement will only be able to kill bed bugs that are trapped inside the encasement itself. Once trapped, they eventually die from starvation. Rentokil bed bug experts highly recommend installing an ActiveGuard mattress liner. These liners are fitted mattress sheets that are pre-treated with insecticide. Unlike traditional mattress encasements, they will kill bed bugs and impact their reproductive and feeding behavior.

Bed bug treatments for colleges

The larger the campus, the more difficult it can be to discover an infestation. This is where the bed bug technicians at Rentokil come into play. Our technicians can help you determine which is best for your campus.

Bed bugs spread fast – a mature female bed bug can lay as many as 500 eggs in its short lifespan. This is why it is best to let pest control professionals handle these blood-thirsty pests. Depending on the size of the infestation and other factors, such as the construction of the establishment or allergy sensitivities of the inhabitants, our bed bug technicians will work with you to determine specific treatment options.

In partnering with our customers, we can work to minimize bed bug infestations through education, control methods, and communication. The PROTECT+ System is Rentokil’s integrated approach to commercial bed bug defense that uses our unique and effective combination of products and protocols designed to eradicate bed bugs from your property.

Bed bug solutions from Rentokil

When a holistic bed bug control approach is paired with a school administrative team that is engaged and committed to implementing preventative bed bug measures, students and staff will be able to respond safely and efficiently should an infestation occur.

Bed bugs can be one of the more difficult pests to eliminate, especially on a large property like a college campus. Rentokil technicians have industry-leading training and unparalleled experience in the field. They understand the patterns of bed bugs and use their expertise to find the right control methods and materials needed to develop an effective management program. If there is any concern about bed bugs on your campus, contact Rentokil today.