TIPS FOR PREVENTING BED BUGS IN DORM ROOMS

Living in a student residence, student apartment, or dormitory can be an exciting experience for college and university students. It also comes with its challenges, one of which is the potential for encountering bed bugs.

These tiny biting insects are a serious concern. They can cause endless discomfort, anxiety, embarrassment, and lack of sleep. They are also notoriously difficult to eliminate once they infest a space.

Having bed bugs can feel like having really bad roommates that keep you up at night and cause endless worry and stress. No one wants that kind of experience in general, and especially not at University or College.

The good news is that there are steps that can be taken to prevent bed bugs from taking up residence in a dorm room or student apartment. Our bed bug control experts here at Environmental Pest Control have shared helpful advice and practical tips below, so keep reading this post.

5 Tips for Preventing Bed Bugs in Dorm Rooms

1. Inspect & Clean Regularly

Bed bugs often hitchhike into spaces on clothing, bags, books, or used furniture. Regularly inspect your mattress, bedding, and furniture for any signs of bed bugs, such as dark spots or shed skins. Use a flashlight and look closely in seams, cracks, and crevices. Keep your dorm room clutter-free and vacuum frequently, paying attention to baseboards, carpets, and upholstered furniture where bed bugs can hide.

2. Use Mattress, Boxspring & Pillow Encasements

Always use a mattress cover, pillow encasements, and box spring cover. These are proven to prevent bed bugs, and their eggs, from passing or biting through the fabric or special zippers. Learn more about why bed bug mattress covers are so important, and what to look for in a high quality cover. BTW – we sell them at Environmental Pest Control, and they are of exceptional quality.

3. Be Cautious with Second-Hand Items

Avoid bringing in second-hand furniture or mattresses into your dorm room unless you know where they came from and are 100% certain they are free of bed bugs. If you must bring in used items (student life is expensive – we get it!), BEFORE you bring them inside, thoroughly and carefully inspect them for signs of bed bugs. If you give them the greenlight, use protectors on your mattress, box spring and pillows (see tip #2).

4. Practice Good Laundry Habits

Don't let your laundry pile up to bring home to wash. Instead, keep up with your laundry and regularly wash your bedding, backpack and outerwear. High heat kills bed bugs and their eggs, so whenever possible, wash and dry clothing and bedding on the hottest setting.  TIP: Always pay attention to fabric care instructions because high heat can cause damage.

5. Be Vigilant & Report Early

If you suspect or discover signs of bed bugs in your dorm room, residence, or apartment, report it to your college or university housing immediately. Early detection and intervention are crucial in preventing bed bugs from spreading to other rooms or areas of student housing. Follow the procedures set by your university for dealing with pest infestations to ensure a prompt and effective response.

Expert Bed Bug Control, Management & Prevention

School is stressful enough, so don’t let bed bugs or pest issues add any more stress or worry to your life or spoil your college or university experience.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of encountering bed bugs.

Learn more about Bed Bugs and the safe and effective solutions we offer at Environmental Pest Control.

Enjoy your semester!