College is an exciting time. While your child is getting packed and ready for the next school year, it’s an ideal time to go over the risks and dangers of bed bugs. Bed bugs have made a comeback across the United States, and bed bug infestations are at an all-time high–especially in living situations with a high population and a typically lower level of hygiene. College dorms and apartments are the perfect environment for a bed bug infestation. Western Exterminator has put together our favorite tips and tricks for beating bed bugs.

Bed Bug Prevention Tips for Your Child

Inspect your college dorm room or apartment when you arrive: These tiny bugs can be very difficult to spot, but it is possible to find signs of their presence.

Before you settle into your room, take a moment to inspect the room for signs of bedbugs.
- Look around and between the mattress and box spring for any signs of eggs, feces, or skin that has been shed.
- When you look at the surface of the mattress, you might find tiny specks of blood, where the bugs have bitten before.
- Check any and all furniture within the apartment for signs of bed bugs.
Bring a mattress encasement with you: Look for one that will completely seal your mattress.
- Keep your sheets out of reach: Bed bugs can climb into your bed from the floor.
- In general, it’s good preventative practice to keep everything off the floor, including clothes, backpacks, suitcases, and pillows.
- Reduce clutter to prevent hiding places and unseen infestations.
Wash bed linens frequently in hot water and dry thoroughly on highest heat setting.
- Heat kills bed bugs.
Don’t bring any furniture or used belongings back to your dorm or apartment without inspecting them first.
Don’t leave your backpack on couches or other furniture pieces for long periods of time, especially in other people’s rooms.

Prevent Bed Bugs from Returning to Your Home

While your child is away at college, you might think your house is safe from bed bugs. But what happens when they come home? Bed bugs can make their way into suitcases and backpacks, making the journey home for Thanksgiving or Christmas a nightmare. The following precautions can help reduce the risk of a bed bug infestation in your home:

Put any luggage into garbage bags before bringing it into the house.
Wash and dry all clothing in the hottest water the fabric can safely withstand and dry on high heat setting.
For dry clean clothes that are able to be placed in dryer, put in dryer on medium to high setting and run for at least 30 minutes.
Thoroughly vacuum or steam clean the suitcase. Pay careful attention to the lining and any pockets where the bugs could be hiding.

Treatment for Bed Bugs in Dorms

The worst has happened, and despite your best efforts–you found bed bugs! Don’t try to treat them by yourself; though there are ways to help rid your home or dorm room of bed bugs, it can also make matters worse. Often times the home remedies only push the bed bugs away from the treatment and further into your home.
If the bed bug infestation is within a dorm, contact the RA right away. The school has measures in place for bed bug infestations. If the bed bug infestation is in a college apartment, or at your home, call a professional bed bug exterminator right away. The faster the problem is taken care of, the less it can spread and infest other apartments or homes.