Response Kit for Schools

Schools should have the following documents on hand for response to bed bug incidences:

• Guidelines for Dealing with Bed Bugs in a School Setting: a comprehensive guide for school nurses and administrators.
• Sample Letter: an example of a letter that can be sent to parents in regards to bed bugs.
• Educational Materials for Students to take home with them:
  • Have I Found a Bed Bug?
  • What NOT to Do When You Have Bed Bugs
  • Bed Bug Behavior
  • Hiring a Pest Management Professional
  • Bed Bug Control In Residences
    • Controlling Bed Bugs by Hand
    • Vacuuming to Capture Bed Bugs
    • Laundering Items to Kill Bed Bugs
    • Using Freezing Conditions to Kill Bed Bugs

Schools should keep the following items on hand to assist with bed bug response:

• Plastic tub or large plastic bags; these can be used to isolate items that may have a bed bug infestation
• Sticky tape and small Ziploc style plastic bags; these items can be used to capture specimens to be identified by a professional.
• A notebook or log to keep records; keeping records of when and where bed bugs are sighted or suspected will assist the Pest Management Professional who is treating the building.
• Flashlight; which can be used for conducting inspections of areas or items that are suspected of having a bed bug infestation.