By now, you’ve probably heard of bed bugs. Those tiny rust-colored blood eaters are making the news all across the country. These bugs are no longer the boogeyman that hides under the bed in motels. They can be found in many places, including schools. If you have school age children from pre-k to college, you should find some helpful information about bed bugs here.

How Do Bed Bugs Get Into Schools?

The bed bug, known scientifically a Cimex lectularius, is not a pest that squeezes its way in through exterior walls. These bugs spread by climbing into the items we wear, and the belongings we carry. So, if a home is dealing with a bed bug infestation, it is possible for that infestation to spread to the schools of any children living in that home–no matter how old. Even college students can pick these bugs up at home and bring them back to their dorm room.

Can Bed Bugs Crawl From One Kid To Another?

Adult bed bugs prefer to be nocturnal. They usually wait until it is dark, and when CO2 levels in a room have risen. But, immature nymphs are more daring than adults. This is probably because they need food to grow and mature. It is not uncommon for young bed bugs to appear in the daylight, or pass from one child to the next.

Can Bed Bug Eggs Pass From One Kid To Another?

While this is possible it is not likely. While bed bug eggs are sticky, they usually stick pretty well to their current location. Bed bugs usually deposit their tiny white eggs in the creases or seams of items to keep them protected. They won’t usually be on the surface.

What Can I Do To Protect My Kids?

There are many practical ways to protect your kids. Here are a few of the most important ones:

• Make sure your kids know what bed bugs look like in all stages of development. Eggs are the size of the tip on a pen and white. Immature nymphs start transparent and grow more tan/brown and less transparent as they develop. They have six legs, two antennae, three body parts, and are shaped like an apple seed.

• Make sure your kids know the signs of bed bugs; Bites on the skin; black streaks; blood staining; shed insect skins; and the tiny pale eggs they leave.

If bed bugs come home with your kids, be sure to call a professional. Bed bugs are an extraordinarily difficult pest to get rid of. If you live in our extensive service area, give us a call. At Russell’s Pest Control, we offer industry-leading pest control for all the pests we deal with here in Eastern Tennessee including bed bug control options.