Elysabethe Brown
News Editor
“Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite.” Once considered just part of a bedtime saying, bed bugs have been popping up in the news recently, due to a recent outbreak in the U.S. So how can students be sure that they are safe from these little monsters, and that bed bugs are not roaming around the Marywood campus?
“Students will be part of the solution…We ask them to cooperate and report [any sightings of the bugs.]” Elizabeth Sechler, Director of Housing and Resident Life said Wednesday in an interview.
According to Sechler there haven’t been any reports of bed bug sightings here at Marywood. But that’s not to say an outbreak could never occur.
If you want to be bed bug free here are a few simple things that we can all do to help prevent the spread.
1) Wash your bedding in hot water, and then put it in the dryer with high heat. The heat will kill the bed bugs. Even though you are on a busy college schedule, bedding should be washed once or twice a week at the very least.
2) When you are traveling back and forth from campus to home keep your clothing in airtight zip lock bags.
3) Bed bugs are more likely to go to a fabric suitcase, like a duffle bag, and are tiny enough to get into closed zippers, like a duffle bag. The best suitcases to prevent bed bugs are the hard luggage that closes tight.
4) Even though college students may be on a tight budget and think buying second hand items is a great way to save some cash, make sure you check used furniture thoroughly, wash thrift store clothing items, and anything else you do not buy brand new.
5) Spread the word! The more we know about bed bugs, the easier it will be to prevent them.
If you would like any more information about bed bugs or how to prevent them, simply go to www.bedbuginfo.com
Bed Bugs get their names because they are usually found in beds. They are found here because they like warm places and carbon dioxide. However, they are not limited to beds. They can also be found on upholstered furniture, bus and theater seats, blankets, carpets or rugs, and even clothing. While these bugs are not a health hazard, they do become somewhat of a nuisance, and should be taken care of as soon as possible.
If you find any bed bugs in your dorm, or around campus, please contact maintenance or housing and resident life.