With back to school season upon us, it is also time to brush up on your back to school pest control. The start of the school year coincides with the fall season and a popular time for indoor pests to re-surface. Avoid the possibility of your students bringing pests home to you this school year with the following back-to-school tips:
Back to School Pest Control 101
Keep backpacks clean and properly stored.
Backpacks can easily become a breeding ground for germs and an open invitation for pests. As remnants of lunch and clutter build up over the school year it can attract pests to your home like ants, fruit flies, rodents or even bed bugs. To avoid these pests, regularly clean out your student’s backpack and wash it according to the manufacturer’s directions. Always store backpacks out of bedrooms, in a mudroom or area away from sleeping areas.
Change bedding often and inspect for bed bugs.
Bed bugs are notorious for hitchhiking their way into a home. The school year presents a heightened risk of picking up this dreaded pest. Bed bugs can easily drop off one backpack and into another. The risk is even greater at a boarding school or college where the student sleeps. Be aware of what a bed bug infestation looks like and always inspect bedding as well as the mattress and box spring when changing bed sheets. If bed bugs are detected, alert the school and work closely with a pest professional to eliminate the problem.
Never buy or pick-up used furniture.
Experts recommend that you avoid buying or picking up used furniture. Used furniture can easily be infested with bed bugs or other pests and may be very difficult to detect for the average person.
Wash & dry all clothing upon returning home from school.
Two of the biggest hitchhiking pests known to infiltrate schools are lice and bed bugs. Clothing is an easy carrier for these pests to make their way into your home. Whether it’s the art smock that is occasionally brought home or the extra sweater that has been hanging in the locker, be sure to wash and dry at the hottest temperature that the fabric will allow to kill these pests.
Regularly monitor your home for pests.
The easiest way to deal with a pest infestation is to catch it early. Monitoring your home with glue boards can offer you peace of mind that you will detect a pest problem before a full blown infestation has the chance to settle in.
Additional Resources for Back to School Pest Control
