*>EPA
EPA 730-F-16-004
June 2016


Bed Bugs in Schools
Guidance for School Nurses

Managing bed bugs can be a major challengefor any school. School nurses are often called upon
to provide vital information to students, parents, teachers, and administrators. These tips on
identifying, managing and preventing bed bugs will help you to effectively respond if bed bugs
appear in your school.
If You Think You Have Spotted a Bed Bug
Collect and keep it intact for proper
identification.
Discretely remove the student from class but do
not send him/her home or exclude them from
school.
Check the student's clothing and belongings for
possible bed bugs.
Inspect the area around where the bug was
found.
Successful Bed Bug Management
Uses a combination of strategies such as
prevention, inspection, vacuuming, steam/heat
treatment, and, if needed, pesticides.
Recognizes that pesticides alone may not
eliminate bed bugs.
Involves placing clothes in a dryer on high heat
for at least 30 minutes to kill any bed bugs.
May include professional steam or radiant heat
treatments.
Have a Positive Bed Bug ID?
Oversee the case until the problem is resolved.
Tell the child's parents about the bed bug
sighting.
Provide the student and parents with
information on bed bug control.
What to Tell Parents
Having a bed bug infestation does not mean
their home isn't clean.
A true bed bug infestation is unlikely in the
school.
It is not necessary for the school to close because
of bed bugs.
Students should limit the items they bring to
school.
Students should store school supplies in
protective boxes at home and not under or near
beds or couches.
Actual
Size
Bed Bug Hot Spots in Schools
Student and staff closets, lockers, coats and
backpacks.
Faculty lounges, classrooms or other areas with
upholstered furniture or cots.
Dormitories or other sleeping areas.
Finding a confirmed bed bug on a student
or their belongings may not mean their
home or school is infested.
Learn more at epa.gov/bedbugs

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Maintain
vigilance
infestation
Evidence
No evidence
infestation
Investigate
for other
sources
Bed bug found in/on:
Evidence of
infestation at
home
No evidence of
infestation at
home
Classroom/Environment
Student's clothing or belongings
If instances are repeated, enlist appropriate
social agencies
•	Encourage
parents to treat
for infestation
•	Provide
educational
assistance
•	Notify student's parents
•	Send home educational materials
Follow IPM plan and treat for
infestation
Notify staff and parents of findings
and treatment
School Response Flowchart
(adapted from Michigan Bed Bug Working Group)
•	Discreetly bring student to school
nurse
•	Examine clothes and belongings
•	Collect specimen
Trained pest management
professional inspects for bed bugs

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