Students heading off to college are naturally excited to be starting a new chapter in their lives. But college life can be challenging. Especially if it involves living in a campus dormitory. Dorm life means close quarters, new friendships and, in many cases, a heightened risk of bed bugs.
Bed bugs spread easily in dorms due to shared living spaces and the frequent moving of people and their belongings. Fortunately, with some judicious preventative measures students can protect themselves from bed bugs.
Here are our top 10 tips to help keep your dorm room bed bug free.
1 – Inspect Your Dorm
Before settling into your college rooms inspect the dorm thoroughly for any signs of bed bug activity. If your dorm comes furnished check the mattress, bed frame, and headboard for live bed bugs, shed skins, or dark fecal and blood stains. This should also be done with any upholstered furniture that may be present in your room.
If you find any suspicious signs notify your dormitory manager immediately and request a formal room inspection. Don’t put this off. You want to deal with this as soon as possible, ideally before you move in.
2 – Use Mattress and Pillow Covers
Encasing your mattress and pillows in bed bug-proof covers can help prevent these pests from infesting your primary sleeping area. High quality, zippered covers are available online and in most big box stores. These covers are designed to keep bed bugs out of your mattress and pillows. They can also be used to trap any existing bed bugs inside to prevent them from spreading to other areas of your dorm.
3 – Keep Belongings Off of the Floor
Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers. They will latch onto bags, clothing and shoes. To minimize this risk make a habit of storing your belongings on shelves. If necessary hang them up or keep them in sealed plastic bins. Also avoid dumping backpacks or clothes directly on the floor or on your roommate’s bed.
4 – Beware of Second-Hand Goods
Money is always tight when you’re a student. However, it’s important to be cautious when buying second-hand items. Buying furniture or clothing from thrift stores may save money but it also increases your risk of bed bugs. If you must shop second-hand make it a point to thoroughly inspect all items before bringing them into your dorm. If you’re buying second-hand clothes be sure to wash and dry everything on high heat before taking anything into your rooms.
5 – Wash Clothes Regularly
Bed bugs can’t survive extreme heat. Washing your clothes and bed linen regularly in hot water and drying them on high heat can help kill any stray bed bugs that may be present.
Remember, you’re sharing living space with a lot of other people. That can lead to bed bugs migrating from room to room. Staying on top of your laundry chores can help you avoid potential infestations.
6 – Keep Your Room Clean
Bed bugs are big fans of clutter. It provides ample hiding spots for these pests and allows them to stay hidden until they’re ready to strike. Maintaining a tidy room helps to reduce hiding places and makes it easier for you to spot bed bugs before they take over your living space.
Keep your dorm rooms tidy and regularly vacuum carpets, mattresses and furniture. Dispose of unnecessary boxes and papers and avoid leaving piles of clothes around.
7 – Beware of Hitchhiking Bed Bugs
Bed bugs travel by hitching rides on unsuspecting hosts. When you stay in a hotel or visit friends be sure to inspect the beds and furnishings for any signs of bed bugs before settling in. Also keep your luggage elevated and away from the bed to prevent any stray bed bugs from finding their way into your belongings. When you get back from your travels be sure to wash all of your clothes in hot water and dry on high heat before bringing them back into the dorm.
8 – Learn to Recognize the Signs of an Infestation
Early detection is key to preventing large scale infestations. Knowing how to recognize the signs of bed bug activity can help you stop a potential invasion its tracks.
The most common signs you have a bed bug problem include:
- Small, red, itchy bites appearing on exposed skin
- Bloodstains on sheets or pillowcases
- Fecal stains on bedding or furniture
- Shed skins in mattress seams
- Tiny white eggs in mattress and couch seams
9 – Report Bed Bug Issues Immediately
If you suspect you may have a growing bed bug problem in your dorm you should notify your resident advisor or dorm manager immediately. The sooner you act the better. Any delay can allow the infestation to spread to neighboring rooms, making elimination of the infestation much more difficult.
10 – Be Considerate of Roommates
If you or your roommate experience bed bug bites or begin to notice other signs of an infestation work together to address the issue. Cooperation is essential to ensuring that the pests don’t spread further around the dorm.
Remember, now is not the time for recriminations. It doesn’t matter how the bed bugs got into your rooms. What really matters is getting rid of them.
Bed bugs are more than just a nuisance. But with the proper precautions students can reduce their risk of dealing with bed bugs infestations in their college dorms. Regular inspections, clean habits, and awareness are major tools in the prevention of infestations. By following these practical tips students can enjoy their college adventures free from the scourge of bed bugs in their dorms.
Published by Scott Palatnik
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