There has been a case of bedbugs at Hillhouse High School in New Haven and the board of education and health department reached out to parents through a letter earlier this week in an attempt to put them at ease.
“Governing protocols were immediately implemented with board of education and health department staff in conjunction with other city departments in order to address the issues within the school as well as to properly investigate and treat the source,” the letter said.
They said this is an “isolated incident” and there is no reason to believe it “poses any risk to the larger building or student and staff population."
Bedbugs hide in a several places around the bed, but can also hide in the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, and in the folds of curtains, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. They come out to feed about every five to 10 days but they can survive over a year without feeding.
The state has listed a few ways on how to get rid of bedbugs.
To prevent bedbugs in your home:
Check secondhand furniture for any signs of bedbugs before bringing it home, use a protective cover that encases mattresses and box springs and check it regularly for holes and reduce clutter in your home so they have fewer places to hide.
U.S. & World
After taking a trip, unpack directly into your washing machine and check your luggage carefully. When you stay in a hotel, put your suitcases on luggage racks instead of the floor and check the mattress and headboard for signs of bedbugs.
To get rid of bedbugs:
Wash and dry your bedding and clothing at high temperatures; use mattress, box spring and pillow encasements to trap bedbugs and help detect infestations; and use pesticides if needed.
