Areas that are plagued with bed bug…um, most everywhere now; are seeing an increase of the pesky creatures arriving at schools.  The problem comes for teachers and administration as to how to handle the situation.

In most areas, when a child has head lice, they are discreetly removed from school until the lice situation is under control.  Notices are sent home from the school nurse letting other parents know that a child or children have lice in a particular grade level.  Usually children in that grade level are marched to the school nurse for a “head check” to make sure others do not have the bugs.  Advice and pamphlets are given to the entire school to inform families on how to identify lice and their eggs and how to get rid of the bugs. Children must be clear of nits and lice completely before being allowed to enter school once again.

Some people do not suffer from the itchy welts that bed bugs leave and do not even know that they have been infested.  Some people simply don’t care that they have bed bugs.  The fact remains that if your school has bed bugs, it is likely that you will encounter them at some point.  Short of stripping your child naked on the front porch and immediately washing their clothing and belongings, what should be done?

Please check back on Thursday for the conclusion to this posting.