Bed Bugs Infest Local Schools

The recent rise in bed bugs cases has made a big impact on a local school.

Longfellow School in Dayton has closed its nursery and pre-kindergarten center because of bed bugs.

On Wednesday, the school called parents of the pre-kindergarten program and told them to keep their children home on Thursday and Friday while exterminators work to get rid of the bed bugs.

Health officials said it is important to note that bed bugs do not pose any major health risks to the students. They are just a nuisance.

On Wednesday, school officials said a nursery worker noticed the tiny bugs crawling around hole near a student’s backpack.

Administrators immediately close the school and called exterminators to fumigate the area. However, what is more disturbing is that the infestation may have only just begun, according to health officials.

Health officials said they work in an advisory capacity with the school district to address the problem.

The health department said in the past two weeks, it has received four complaints from local schools. One of the complaints came from a middle school in the Mad River district and another one came from Daytonview Academy.

According to the health department, bed begs like to travel along to new places and lay eggs. They said schools are ideal victims.

While schools can fall victim, bed bugs start at home, so health officials are warning parents to be vigilant.

Health officials said it is important to lift up mattresses to check for the bugs. They said eliminate clutter in the sleeping area, vacuum often and dry bedding and clothes on high heat.