Back to School Bugs to Watch Out For

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Now that students all over America are going back to school this month, it is time to address something serious: bugs. Specifically, bed bugs and head lice. Why bed bugs? If your children ever sleep over at someone else’s house you need to know about these. Bed bugs are wingless, parasitic insects of the cimicid family that feed exclusively on blood. They are commonly found living amongst bed sheets, and can go completely unnoticed until it’s already too late. Head lice are also wingless, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of the human scalp. Lice are commonly found in human hair, and they can be transmitted by sharing hats, pillows, headbands, or anything of that nature with classmates.

Head Lice can be prevented by remaining cautious. You should advise your children to never share hats, scarves, headbands, pillows, or any other item that makes contact with another child’s hair. Also instruct your children on how to properly and thoroughly wash their hair in the shower. If you believe that your child may be infected with head lice, carefully check their hair and look around the scalp to check for small, white insects. If you find head lice, contact your pediatrician and wash everything soft (sheets, pillows, clothing, stuffed animals, etc) that your child has recently been near.

Bed bugs can also be prevented by being cautious. If you have recently stayed at a hotel while on vacation, make sure to vacuum your suitcases before returning them in the closet at home. This precaution can remove any bed bugs that may have crawled in OR onto the suitcase while at the hotel. But remember, your clothing could still have them in it, so make sure your clothing is washed in hot water immediately upon returning home.  Additionally, you should regularly wash your bed sheets (we recommend washing them once a week) to make sure that they always remain clean and free of bed bugs. If you have children that attend sleepovers at friends’ houses, you should always check your child’s belongings (such as pillows, clothes, stuffed animals, etc) for bed bugs before returning them to your child’s room. For extra precaution, you can wash these items after your child returns from a sleepover.

If you feel that your house in Crestview, Defuniak Springs, Destin, Niceville, or Fort Walton Beach, FL may be infested with bed bugs, please consult a specialist immediately. Bed bugs are the biggest nuisance in pest control, and should only be left to exterminators that are highly trained. You can contact us to receive a free quote to check your house for bed bugs or call us at 850-682-5354.