Ohio University officials combed a Brown Hall dormitory room for more than four hours last week and found only one bed bug.
Based on this and other information, officials concluded that the infestation was minor, said Environmental Health Coordinator Chad Keller to a group of eight Brown Hall residents at Friday's informal information session. Although only one bed bug was found, the room could contain more, Keller said.
Last Thursday, Residential Housing e-mailed Brown Hall residents informing them of a confirmed case of bed bugs.
(This case) is the first incident to be reported on our campus
the e-mail stated. This was isolated to one room and no other incidents have been reported.
Environmental Health and Safety officials suspect the bed bugs infiltrated the residence hall at the beginning of Winter Quarter, said Keller, who could not reveal which room was infested.
Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on human and animal blood while their hosts are asleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. The insects are not a medical or public health hazard, but their bites can cause itchy welts and loss of sleep, according to the site.
The apple-seed sized bug hitchhikes on people's clothing, luggage and purses, Keller said.
Keller told students to contact EHS or Residential Housing if they find signs of infestation, which include bite marks on one's body, the bugs' exoskeletons, rusty-colored blood spots and a sweet musty odor.
Do not - do not - treat your rooms with over-the-counter pesticides Keller said, adding that the chemicals will not kill the bugs.
To help prevent the pests from spreading, EHS officials will vacuum the infested room and spend four to six hours treating it with insecticides, Keller said, later adding that it often takes multiple treatments to kill all the bed bugs.
Keller talked about ways to avoid bed bugs. The pest can live anywhere - even in the cleanest of places, he said.
They are ubiquitous; they're everywhere
Keller said.
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Caitlin Bowling
