What to Do IF YOU SUSPECT you HAVE Bed Bugs
First…Do Not Pass Go...Do Not Collect $200…contact ‘Resident Life’ or its equivalent on campus!!! Nationwide, student housing departments are sensitized to this issue and react to this problem quite seriously; they will in turn contact their licensed pest control operator immediately.
Cooperation and Communication are Instrumental in Eradicating this Pest
The ultimate objective is to rid your residence of all bed bugs in as quick and least disruptive a manner as possible. Constant communication and cooperation are key elements in achieving success! Try not to panic; bed bugs are very stressful but the problem will be resolved and we want your focus to be on your studies.
Rather than Do’s, here’s a SIMPLE LIST OF DO NOT’S
1. Do not throw items away or remove them from your room
If items are not properly secured and removed correctly, you may inadvertently spread the problem to surrounding areas including other student rooms. Also, if the item is not properly tagged (e.g., ‘suspected bed bug infested’), another student may pick up a discarded infested item and introduce it into their room.
2. Do not attempt to control this problem by yourself
The school you’re attending has licensed professionals to handle this problem. Your efforts, though well intentioned, may severely complicate the situation, making eradication more difficult. Once again…CALL RESIDENT LIFE or your housing department!!!
3. Do not move into another room unless directed to do so
The knee jerk reaction is to pick up and get out of there! Although a natural inclination, you do not want to be the vehicle on which bed bugs hitchhike! Once again, Resident Life is prepared to instruct you each step of the way!
Additional tips to help reduce the incidence and severity of a bed bug issue.
• Keep your room tidy and reduce clutter as best possible; a messy cluttered room is hard to treat and serves as a comfortable habitat in which bed bugs like to hide.
• Securely bag laundry; washing your clothes, personal items and linens in hot water and/or drying at the hottest possible setting for thirty minutes will kill bed bugs and their eggs.
That’s it! Leave the burden of solving your problem to the professionals. Report your issue immediately to Resident Life and take their direction…their goal is to keep you safe and bed bug free!
