The start of every school year brings a rash of reports that bed bugs have been found crawling on students’ backpacks or across classroom floors. Teachers trained to be on the lookout for these blood-sucking insects and fast action by school districts when bed bugs are discovered often prevents full-blown infestations at school. But it’s a different story when children inadvertently bring bed bugs home in their backpacks.

Bed bugs are rampant in the New York City and northern New Jersey area. Should bed bugs ride home with their child’s homework, parents can minimize the risk of home infestation by following these tips:

• Educate yourself about bed bugs and their behavior. Know what to look for. You’ll find helpful information and photos of bed bugs and their bites on the Stern Environmental website.
• Inspect your child’s backpack, lunch box and coat when he gets home.
• Do not let your children take items that travel back and forth to school to their bedrooms.
• Purchase a large plastic tub with a tight-fitting lid for each child and keep it near the door for storing book bags, coats and other school items.
• Keep an eye out for bed bug signs.
• If you suspect bed bugs, call Stern Environmental immediately for professional bed bug extermination.

Have a college student? Read our bed bug tips for college students.