Bed Bugs Infest College Campus Dorms

FAIRFAX, Va. (January 27, 2013) – Pest experts often warn that college dorms provide the perfect environment for bed bug infestations. In fact, a 2011 survey by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) found 54 percent of pest control professionals had encountered infestations of bed bugs in college dormitories.

Today, CNYCentral.com reports bed bugs have struck again – this time infesting a dormitory at the Bryant and Stratton campus in Syracuse.

According to the NPMA, bed bugs thrive in universities because there are often many people living in a confined space. Fortunately, there are tips that college students can follow to prevent encountering this blood-sucking pest:

• Fully inspect suitcases prior to re-packing for a return to school, especially if you have traveled during holiday breaks. Wash all clothes, even those that haven’t been worn, in warm water.
• Thoroughly inspect the entire room including mattress seams on beds, behind the headboard and in furniture. If you see anything suspect, immediately contact a university facility manager.
• If you are considering bringing "secondhand" furniture to campus, properly inspect it for telltale signs of bed bugs.