Are bed bugs common in college dorms?

Unfortunately, bed bugs are pretty common in dorm rooms. The National Pest Management Association found dorms are the seventh most common place to find these annoying insects. Here's why. Bed bugs are commonly seen in places with high occupant turnovers, such as hotels, apartment complexes, and (of course) dorm rooms.

How common are bed bugs in college?

A recent study conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky found that bed bug infestations are on the rise in many types of dwellings, including college settings. In fact, 54 percent of pest professionals surveyed had treated bed bug infestations in college dorms in 2011.

What to do if your college dorm has bed bugs?

How likely is it to get bed bugs from a student?

Students and faculty alike can bring bed bugs into a school, but there are many factors that make children more likely to spread bed bugs. Students always need to be supervised and are more likely to come into close contact with other people. This allows bed bugs to transfer from one person to the next.

Do college dorms have bugs?

Bed bugs are all one of the most pervasive pests to infest colleges and universities. Unless you are highly sensitive to insect bites, these pests are relatively harmless but their bites can leave itchy welts behind. More significantly, bed bugs in dorm rooms can be difficult to get rid of.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs in Dorms

Are dorm mattresses clean?

Dorm room mattresses tend to be firm and are made with either low-quality foam or innersprings. You would also hope the mattresses are switched out with each incoming new resident, but that's far from the truth. There's no saying how much dust mites and dander have collected inside the beds over the years.

Why are there so many bugs in my dorm?

Water, food and shelter are things every creature needs to survive. Pests like cockroaches thrive in places where there are a lot of harborage points. Leaving clothes, papers, books or shoes littering the floor in your dorm provides plenty of shelter for pests like cockroaches or mice.

How easy is it to pass bed bugs?

Bed bugs can spread from room to room in a matter of seconds by hitching a ride on the clothing of a person who moves from room to room. Or they can spread in a matter of hours by crawling unassisted from one room to another.

How do you know if a student has bed bugs?

Bedbugs are creatures of the night. They hide during the day, and go into the seams around mattresses and behind the headboards. Even a pretty bad infestation may not be immediately obvious. You have to look for their poop, which may be seen as tiny brown specks on the sheets, mattress, and blankets.

Are bed bugs from poor hygiene?

Who is at risk? Any home is at risk of a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are not a sign of a dirty home or poor personal hygiene. Bed bugs are hitchhikers - they travel to new places by hiding in furniture, suitcases, or other objects that get moved around.

Do you need a bed bug protector for college?

Prevent the spread of bed bugs by washing all your materials thoroughly before heading to college. Use a mattress protector to prevent bed bugs from setting home in your bedding. Wash clothes and bedding frequently and at high heat. Minimize your clutter, and be sure to vacuum regularly.

Do you need a bed bug mattress protector for college?

A mattress protector for peace of mind

We won't get into the dirty details, but you need a mattress protector. (They're a good idea even outside a college dorm—bed bugs can invade anyone's home.)

What to do if you wake up with bed bugs?

Wash sheets, pillow cases, blankets and bed skirts and put them in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes. Consider using mattress and box spring covers –the kind used for dust mite control–and put duct tape over the zippers. Seal cracks and crevices and any openings where pipes or wires come into the home.

What time of year are bed bugs most common?

While there is no official bed bug season, a recent study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology shows a peak in bed bug activity in August and a low in February. Other studies have shown that peak season for bed bugs runs from June through October.

What state are bed bugs most common?

Key Bed Bug Statistics & Facts

Exterminators report that the prevalence of bed bugs is on the rise in the US. The US city with the most bed bug infestations is Philadelphia. Ohio is considered the state with the most bed bugs. Almost 30% of bed bug infestations in the US are located in the Southeast.

Are there always signs of bed bugs?

"People may have bed bugs and not know it because many people have no physical reaction to bed bug bites," Orkin Entomologist Dr. Ron Harrison told AOL. "That's why it's important for people everywhere to inspect for bed bugs regularly."

How do you check yourself for bed bugs?

What can I put on my body to prevent bed bug bites?

How do you know if you slept in a bed with bed bugs?

After bed bugs feed on humans, blood stains resembling small rust spots may be found on bedding and clothing. They feed between five to seven days whenever a host is present, so if you see signs of bloodstains on your sheets or pajamas, it may be one of the early signs of bed bugs.

Do I have to throw away my clothes if I have bed bugs?

Most times, clothing, bedding and furniture from a home with a bed bug problem can be treated and do not need to be thrown away. If you decide to dispose of items, they should be carefully sealed in a plastic bag or container first so the bed bugs don't spread.

Can you see bed bugs with the naked eye?

They are visible to the naked eye. Adult bed bugs are usually brown in colour. When filled with blood, their colour ranges from red to dark brown. They are oval in shape and about the size of a flattened apple seed, 4 to 7 mm in length.

Why am I so paranoid about bugs in my room?

Past traumatic experiences: People who have had a traumatic experience related to insects may develop entomophobia. For example, you or someone you know may have had a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting. Environmental irritations: Some people have itchy skin caused by pollen, mold or household allergens.

Are bed bugs in hostels common?

Hostels provide a perfect environment for bed bug infestations to thrive, as people frequently stay for short periods and move from bed to bed. People often lay their bags and belongings on the beds, which can easily transfer the bugs from place to place.

Do college dorms have roaches?

Unfortunately, though, dorm rooms are very often havens of food and shelter for roaches that enter in from the outside and feast on forgotten crumbs, sources of open juice or water, and other sweet treats.