When heading off to college, the last thing you want to worry about is sharing a room with bed bugs. Unfortunately, these pests can easily spread across campus. Being prepared can help you avoid a run-in with these hungry bugs. Check out a few tips to prevent bed bugs from moving into your dorm.
Pack Carefully
There are steps you can take to avoid bed bugs before you even move into your dorm. When you pack your things, place them in sealed plastic bags or bins with lids. This will help to protect your items when you arrive at campus. Take time to check any luggage before using it. If you’ve been traveling, there’s a chance bed bugs are hiding in your bags. Once you get to your dorm, don’t place your belongings on the floor or bed until you check for bed bugs.
Examine the Room
It’s important to thoroughly inspect your room for bed bugs. Start with the bed and examine the mattress, headboard, or frame. You’re looking for small, reddish-brown bugs. They are oval and flat. You may also notice red or dark spots. Inspect other furniture including sofa, chairs, nightstands, and dressers. Bed bugs are excellent hiders and can squeeze into tiny places. If you are bringing used furniture with you, be sure to check it for these pests.
Check Your Textbooks
Bed bugs will hide in a variety of places including your books. These pests can squeeze into the space between the spine and binding of the book. You may spot adult bugs or dark specks on the pages. Before leaving the bookstore or your school’s library, flip through the pages to make sure there aren’t any hidden bugs or signs of these pests.
Remove Clutter
Keeping your dorm room neat and clean can help to prevent bed bug problems. The more clutter in your room, the more places these pests can hide. Don’t leave things on the floor, especially clothing. Store your items in sealed containers. Vacuuming your room often can also help. This will remove bed bugs and their eggs. Empty the vacuum and place the sealed bag in an outdoor trash bin.
Wash Your Bedding
It’s a good idea to regularly wash your sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and blankets. Using hot water and a high heat setting on the dryer is best. You’ll want to leave your bedding in the dryer for at least thirty minutes. The heat will help to kill bed bugs and their eggs. Check the care instructions on decorative pillows. If they can’t be washed but can be exposed to heat, throw them in the dryer.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
If you suspect bed bugs have invaded your dorm, there are a few things you’ll want to do. Check out a few tips to help you get rid of these pests.
- Contact Your School: You’ll want to contact your RA as soon as you identify a problem. The school should have a plan in place to help you deal with the infestation.
- Wash Your Bedding & Clothes: If you discover bed bugs, you need to wash your bedding and clothes. Once they are clean, store them in plastic bins with tight fitting lids.
- Vacuum: Vacuuming can help to prevent and control bed bugs. Thoroughly vacuum your dorm and be sure to dispose of the bag outside.
- Use an Insecticide Dust: Insecticide dusts are an effective and long-lasting solution. Our Bed Bug Killer dust can be applied to mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, furniture, baseboards, and floors. You can use a paintbrush to apply the dust to cracks and crevices where bed bugs could be hiding.
Having bed bugs crawling around your dorm is an experience no one wants. Taking the time to pest-proof your dorm can help you avoid these pesky bugs. If you’re dealing with bed bugs or other pests, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.