Do you need a bed bug mattress 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.

Do I need a mattress protector for my dorm bed?

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.)

Can college mattresses have bed bugs?

Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers and will hide in clothing, backpacks, suitcases, shoes, and bedding. Before you know it, you'll have more than a tired, hungry freshman in your home. A college dorm room is a prime breeding ground for bed bugs.

Do you need a mattress protector for bed bugs?

A mattress cover can kill existing bed bugs by sealing them within and keeping them from feeding on you at night. But bed bugs are very small. With their flat shapes, they can easily sneak through crevices. Purchase a mattress cover with a zipper and reinforced seams.

How common are bed bugs in dorms?

Due to the fact that universities are home to so many different people, from all parts of the world, combined with the fact bed bugs are notorious for hitching rides in suitcases and clothing, colleges are one of the most common places for bed bug infestations.

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What if my college dorm has bed bugs?

If Bed Bugs Are Found In Dorm Rooms:

Let the RA or similar authority know immediately of the infestation. If nothing is done within a week, contact student health services, the health department, or other similarly important offices so your dorm can be treated appropriately.

What happens if you get bed bugs in college?

If you think there's a bed bug problem in your college dorm room/apartment, act quickly. Don't try to get rid of them by vacuuming or simply washing your bedsheets. Bed bugs need to be professionally removed. Tell your RA, HA or the landlord.

Can bed bugs get through a zippered mattress protector?

The zipper must have very small teeth that are close together to prevent even tiny, immature bugs from weaving in between the zipper teeth and escaping. The zipper must seal completely at the end-stop so that there are no gaps where bed bugs could escape.

What kind of mattress protector protects against bed bugs?

Fabric. Bedbug mattress covers are generally made from cotton, polyester, or vinyl, all of which will keep bedbugs out of your mattress, Wong says.

How long can bed bugs survive in a mattress cover?

Bed Bugs are resilient, and it can take time to properly eliminate them. They can live for 1 year once they are encased in a bed bug mattress cover. Therefore, it is important to leave the bed bug mattress covered sealed for at least 1 year.

How do you check for bed bugs in college?

Before installing your sheets on your dorm bed, fully inspect the mattress seams, specifically at the corners, for telltale spots or stains. Properly examine the complete room before unpacking, including sofas/chairs and behind the headboard.

How do you know if a student has bed bugs?

Bed Bugs tend to bit on skin that is exposed during sleep or rest. The visible marks and itchiness may make the student very uncomfortable. Students may also display anxiousness and/or sleepiness due to interrupted sleep as a result of bed bugs biting them.

What are the signs of bed bugs on a mattress?

Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses caused by bed bugs being crushed. Dark spots (about this size: ), which are bed bug excrement and may bleed on the fabric like a marker would. Eggs and eggshells, which are tiny (about 1mm) and pale yellow skins that nymphs shed as they grow larger.

What happens if you don't use a mattress protector?

Spills and stains aren't just bad for the look of your mattress but also degrade the construction over time. If your bed has memory foam layers, moisture can break down the foam and compromise its performance. It can also weaken the adhesive between the layers of your mattress.

What happens if you don't have a mattress protector?

Without a mattress cover, your mattress gets exposed to germs, bacteria, dirt, dead skin cells, and fluids. Moisture and sweat can also wear down the foam in your mattress, shortening its lifespan.

Can I use a mattress pad instead of protector?

Although similar in appearance, a mattress pad and mattress protector have different purposes. A mattress pad is primarily designed to add an extra layer of cushioning. A mattress protector acts as a defensive barrier that can help prevent spills and allergens from damaging a mattress.

How do I keep my bed free of bed bugs?

Inspect used furniture before you bring it inside: check all seams, joints, tufts, and under cushions. Purchase a plastic or hypoallergenic cover for your mattress, box springs, and furniture to prevent bedbugs from entering the textiles. Get rid of clutter that could help bed bugs hide in your home.

What smell do bed bugs hate?

While not overly effective, the most useful essential oils for deterring bed bugs appear to be blood orange oil, paraffin oil, silicone oil, and spearmint oil.

Can you put a bed bug mattress protector in the dryer?

Tumble dry the covers on a low setting at around 150 to 160 degrees. Make sure that you include a few towels during the process to protect the covers from getting damaged as they bounce inside the dryer.

Can bed bugs get into a sealed mattress?

Encasing the mattress and box-spring with a zippered mattress cover will make sure that Bed Bugs can't live on the bed or any inside can't get out. Bugs will not be spread to others: ➢ Cut the mattress in various places to make it unusable.

Can bed bugs be on the clothes I'm wearing?

It's common knowledge that bed bugs invade bedding, mattresses, and upholstered furniture, but beg bugs live in clothing and closets as well. Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers that sneakily catch a ride on your coat, suitcase, clothing, or outerwear.

What to do if a student has bed bugs?

School health professionals should manage the case, including re-inspecting belongings, desks and classrooms until the problem is resolved. Isolate student belongings in tight-sealing containers or plastic bags in the nurse's office to reduce the chance of bed bugs spreading while the problem is being resolved.

What happens if you sleep in a bed with bed bugs?

Waking up with tiny little bite marks all over your body is never a good thing. As you look at your irritated skin with the tell-tale red spots that itch persistently, you're sure that they result from bed bugs. No one wants their bed infested with these creatures, so you want to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Should I stay in a room with bed bugs?

Bed bugs will not go away if you sleep in another room. Instead, they will follow you and create new colonies wherever you move. Remember: Always stay in the same room while your home is being treated for bed bugs.

How long can you have bed bugs before you notice them?

You may have them for a while, but may not notice them until weeks, or even months later. Bed bug eggs take anywhere from six to 12 days to hatch, and the adult life span can be anywhere from six months to a year. That's why it's important to know these early signs of an infestation.