Bed Bugs Found In Michigan School Classroom

MANISTEE, MI — A northern Michigan school is battling bed bugs.

Manistee Middle/High School officials said the discovery was made last week in the building's media center. On Monday, officials said three more bed bugs were found in a classroom.

Envirosafe workers inspected the areas and determined there is no established bed bug population. Rather, they believe the bed bugs were brought to the school on clothes or in backpacks.

Bed bugs can travel from place to place with ease, clinging to items such as luggage, purses and other personal belongings.

With that analysis, school officials said cancelling school, evacuating and treating the entire building will not solve the problem.

Instead they are asking the community to inspect their homes.

"We need all of our families, staff, and students to inspect their own belongings and homes. It is likely that there is an established population somewhere in our community that has allowed for bed bugs to be brought into Manistee Middle High School," officials said in a statement to WPBN/WGTU.

School officials said custodial workers will continue to follow the best cleaning practices and monitor bed bug traps through the rest of the year.

To avoid bed bugs, pest control service company Orkin recommends:

• Search the room for signs of infestation, looking for bed bugs, which are small, flat, oval-shaped insects that are brown and about the size of an apple seed. Other signs of bed bugs include ink-like stains on fabrics, shed exoskeletons around furniture and a sweet, musty smell.
• Lift sheets, curtains and cushions to check for bed bugs or signs of bed bugs.
• Elevate your luggage onto racks and keep it away from the bed or other furniture.
• Examine your luggage carefully while repacking and again when you return home.
• Place all dryer-safe clothing from your luggage in the dryer for 30 to 45 minutes at the highest heat setting upon returning home.

Related — 4 MI Cities Among Nation's Leaders For Bed Bug Infestations: Ranking