Yesterday a local Indianapolis news station posted a segment on the growing concern of bed bugs, but the focus now is in schools. One case occurred at an elementary school where a student found bed bugs on his back pack. This alarmed the whole school district and their response was to educate teachers, students, and the whole community about the rising bed bug infestation that is spreading to states all across the US. Teachers are encouraged to set up a brief power points or presentations explaining what bed bugs are, what they look like, how to tell if you are bitten by one, and what you can do to if you find them. This education should be taught all around the US from elementary to college level students. Bed bugs are a growing problem and even though you might be educated, your friend or colleague might not be. Whenever there are people that are in close contact, there is a risk that bed bugs could spread. Business, schools, and even tenants should set up a small presentation to educate the people around them. If you are a teacher, employee, or anyone else who would like to react to this, please feel free to comment and leave your email address and I would be glad to help you set up a presentation or anything along those lines. If you experience a bed bug problem in your own house, contact us by phone 800-479-2284, email, live chat, facebook, or twitter. It’s important we start sharing our knowledge!
Waybright Elementary School in Mass. has recently reopened after a rat sighting caused the school to close for a day. During school, a student saw a rat running down a stairwell. This isn’t the first time the school has had a problem with rats. In December, a construction project disrupted where some rats where living, causing them to go into the school. The school called a pest management professional, sealed off entranceway and set traps. Until they were sure the problem went away, they asked students to not leave food in classrooms and stopped serving hot lunches. They thought the problem was gone until the lone rat was spotted.
There were no signs of more rats being in the school. They didn’t find any feces or rats in traps that would indicate more than the lone rat. During the incident in the winter, there was evidence of burrowing by the rats. However, the building was swept and no burrowing was located this time around. The school reassured everybody that every precaution was taking place to prevent further incidents. They also said this is not an event isolated to just the school. Homes around the area have been having similar problems. The school has spent upwards of $30,000 already clear the rats out of the school, and expects to spend more money in the future.
If you have seen a rat or mouse in your home please contact us for a free inspection. Winter is the most common time to see a rodent in your home.
Students at Harvard University and residents in the surrounding neighborhoods will not have to worry about the ongoing rat problem infesting their area anymore. The Ivy League school announced this week that it would pay for 2,600 “anti-rat” trash bins to help the infestation problem.
Some residents of North Allston, a town bordering Cambridge (where Harvard is located), have blamed the prestigious school for creating the problem when it excavated a 5-acre hole for its new science complex. Although Harvard denies any wrongdoing, they are more than happy to supply the city with the bins that will cut off the source of food for the rodents.
Without the easy access to the trash, the rats will be forced to look elsewhere for their food source. The 64-gallon, wheeled bins – they cost $100 each – are made of heavy-grade plastic and have attached lids so the rodents cannot get inside. Apparently, the plan is already seeing results. Said Ted Gallagher, a once-upset North Allston resident, said of the rat problem; “It’s gotten a lot better. They’re still around, but not in the same capacity as before.”
As the cold days of winter come, so does sickness to that college campus. To those of you college kids out there reading this blog, or to you concerned parents who wonder what their kids dorms could really ever look like before you come to visit, here are a couple of helpful hints to keep in mind or pass along the way:
Always keep a set of disinfectant wipes by your sink. Use nightly to get rid of any germs that could be spreading. You wipe your face and brush your teeth here, keep that sink clean!
Always have paper towels set up for emergencies. Always know where they are located. This is in order to avoid the “spill-over” (no pun intended) from spills. When something spills clean it up at once, don’t let it dry out and become a messy, sticky bug-drawing force on your dorm room floor.
Make it a daily concern to clean up loose articles of old food and beverages. This includes all opened water bottles and half eaten bottles of chips. Even if you don’t realize it, you feel better without all that unnecessary clutter around your room
Always have water available. Be it by the means of drinking out of cups, a Brita, or bottled water, it is necessary as a college kid to be well hydrated and happy.
Have that ibuprofen bottle full at all times (especially weekend mornings). This is a number one tool for all quick fix headaches, minor pains, and hangovers. Having Nyquil and Dayquil in that top-drawer can’t hurt either.
Keep a broom in that room. You’d be surprised at how much dirt one can sweep up during a quick sweep of the room. It’s vital to sweep up these parts of the room 2 or 3 times per week.
Do not drink or share food with your friends. (Beer pong is a definite no-no)
A cup of tea a day or a bowl of soup always feels good on the throat. Sounds old fashioned, but its true.
Go to your local customer value store and purchase a Neti-Pot. It relieves all reoccurring sinus pains during the winter. This, and always having tissues handy is key.
Change your sheets at least once a week. Wash your towels/hand towels intensely. We know this may seem like a terrifying adjustment in your life, but it is worth it. If necessary, have 2 or 3 extra pairs of sheets for quick changing and being able to still avoid doing that laundry.
Integrated Pest Management techniques are also essential. Keeping a clean room is essential. If you spot any bugs or insects it is recommended that you bring it up with your Resident Assistant or Resident Director of your complex.
Thanks to Debbie, we have found that the actual count was 400-500 crickets. WISTV.com still reports 7,000 but the salisburypost.com reports the lower number. Read the salisburypost.com article here.
A senior prank went wrong…Pest Management Professionals were called into a Rowan County school district in North Carolina because of the criminal acts of eight students. The students release over 7,000 crickets into the area where 10th graders attend classes. All of the students were charged with breaking and entering by police, and suspended from school.e
Crickets are a summer pest that will enter homes when there is heavy moisture present. When present, they can be a huge nuisance because of the sound they make. Read more about crickets in our pest library.
