Back to School Bugs

It’s that time of the year again – back to school in Arkansas! There is hope that the summer heat will soon give way to cool autumn. Parents rejoice as the younger kids get out of their hair and cry as the older ones head back to college. Everyone is busy this time of year. Whether you’re shopping for school supplies, planning schedules, shuttling kids back and forth from practices and rehearsals, or getting into the swing of doing homework again – back to school is definitely a hectic time for everyone.

At Clark Exterminating, we know that the bugs are busy this time of year as well. Schools are giant distribution centers for bugs. They ride to school with one student and then catch a ride right into your home with another. What we don’t want is for that child to bring those bugs into your home! It’s important to be aware of what kinds of bugs are especially active this time of year and what you can do to keep them at bay.

Lice
Eww…lice. Lice are small parasitic bugs that live on human flesh and feed on our blood. Sounds gross, right? Lice are especially common in schools because kids are around each other so much and aren’t hesitant to share their belongings – combs, brushes, and hats are reliable carriers of lice. It’s hard to diagnose lice on your own, most of the time a doctor is needed. However, there are some good indicators to look for on your own, like an especially itchy scalp and small nits (eggs) on the scalp, for example.

Thankfully, lice are not poisonous and are fairly easy to avoid and treat. When your child goes back to school, warn them about sharing personal items with other kids, especially if there is an outbreak in the school. If your child does come home with lice, the first thing to do is to check the rest of your family. Next up is treatment. There are several over-the-counter medications such as LiceMD and Rid which work well to kill the lice and free your kid from itchiness. Finally, it’s time to do a deep cleaning of all areas your child came into contact with – bedsheets, backpack, clothes, everything!

Bed Bugs
Everyone’s heard the saying “sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite,” but when those young ones probably have no idea these pests are a real thing.

Bed bugs are tiny pests that like to live in mattresses. These parasitic insects feed on human blood, just like lice. Bed bugs will usually enter your home on someone’s clothing, in luggage or even through a used bed or couch. Bed bugs are especially prevalent with college students making frequent trips back and forth from their dorm rooms.

The bugs are normally more active at night and will bite you while you are sleeping. If you suspect you have a bed bug problem, it is best to call Clark Exterminating and get your home inspected. Our experts can investigate the severity of the problem and rid the infestation before it gets out of control.

As your kids head back to school this fall, don’t let household pests throw off your routine. Let Clark Exterminating come to fix your bug problem, and it’ll be one less thing for you to worry about as school draws near. We’ve been serving central Arkansas for 36 years, and aren’t stopping anytime soon. Let one of our experts come to your home and give you a free quote. Give us a call today!