Bed Bugs on the Rise Just in Time for Back to School
9/1/2021
TORONTO, ON September 1, 2021 – Bed bugs are on the rise in North America after a significant decline during the pandemic. Abell’s bed bug inquiries are up 38% from 2020. This is due to increased travel and activity that is normally the cause of bed bugs spreading.
“We know that bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and thrive in places with lots of people and movement,” said John Abell, President, Abell Pest Control. “As kids go back to school, this makes classrooms and dorms the perfect setting for bed bugs to make a big comeback”.
Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, their bites can cause an intense itch, and scratching could produce secondary infections. All bed bugs need to survive is a place to hide and a host to supply blood.
Signs of infestation,
Spots of blood left on bed sheets indicate bed bug biting.
Brownish-black specks (feces) on sheets, mattress
A peculiar musty odor from bed bug secretions may be noticed with an infestation
How bed bugs spread,
Bed bugs attach to luggage, backpacks, clothing, beds, and furniture and move when those objects move.
Bed bug outbreaks are often traced to travel.
The use of secondhand furniture (mattress, couches) can spread bed bugs
Also, bed bugs can quickly spread from one unit to the next in multi-unit dwellings such as apartment buildings.
To prevent getting bed bugs,
When returning from travel, put your luggage in a bathtub or garage to inspect for bedbugs prior to unpacking.
Inspect used items of furniture your brining into your home for bedbugs before you bring them in. Never bring a used mattress or box spring into your home.
Keep the floor under and around beds free of clutter.
Change sheets and pillowcases often and wash in hot water
Look for signs of bed bugs along the seams of the mattress dorm and keep your bags and luggage off the floor and bed.
Pull beds slightly away from walls, furniture, and curtains.
Abell recommends the following tips for students returning to school and campus,
Regularly inspect backpacks and luggage for hitchhiking bed bugs
Wash and dry cloth items returning from school in hot temperatures
Before putting sheets on the dormitory bed, inspect the mattress seams, particularly at the corners, and box springs for telltale stains or spots
Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking, including behind the headboard and in sofas and chairs
Inspect any secondhand furniture for bed bugs before bringing it into dormitory rooms or off-campus housing
