When it comes to a dream home for a bedbug, a college dorm or other communal living situation is ideal: lots of warm bodies in a small space.

If you understand how bedbugs travel, it’s easy to see how they can quickly become an infestation. They’re very good at hitchhiking; they can go for a long time without feeding and live in suitcases or furniture or sometimes electronics and books. Let’s look at some ways to prevent a bedbug invasion.

Check suitcases thoroughly, inside pockets and under flaps.
Fully inspect the room, especially the mattress and box spring, if there is one. Look for the telltale signs of bugs or eggs in every seam and crease. As well as the actual bugs, you’re looking for the tiny dark specks that are bedbug droppings, and small spots and stains. Be thorough and leave your bags in the hall or put them in a bathtub while you check.
Secondhand furniture is also a big transporter of bedbugs. We all know students are on a budget and a free comfy sofa on a neighbor’s curb might seem like a lucky find, avoid secondhand furniture unless you can be sure the reason for it’s being tossed out is NOT bedbugs!
Look closely at library books, as they also can transport bedbugs into your living space. Examine the binding and in between the pages for signs of bedbugs.
Finally, itchy bites, especially in clusters of three, may indicate a bedbug bite.
Bedbugs are one of the most difficult pests to treat, so don’t let them into your dorm room, apartment or home. Our techs are trained to treat bedbug infestations, so if you do end up with these pests, don’t hesitate to call for an appointment!