JG Pest Control – Bedbugs In Student Accommodation

The spread of bedbugs in a concern for many university goers and those staying in student accommodation. There is a strong need for stricter rules within student accommodation. However, with the pandemic, there fear of coronavirus spreading is at the forefront of many people’s minds. Meanwhile, the awareness of bedbug infestations in student accommodation has largely been dismissed.

Here at JG Pest Control, we believe that students should be made aware of the risks of bedbugs in student accommodation. Bedbugs are common guests in student digs. They will often long outstay their welcome if not dealt with.

So, why are bedbugs a problem in student accommodation?

Bedbugs are parasitic insects. They feed exclusively on blood, preferable human blood. While bedbugs do not transmit disease, they can still be a very annoying pest. The bite of a bed bug will leave itchy raised bumps on the skin. Not only are these unsightly, but they can also be extremely irritating too. Bedbugs can also cause severe allergic reactions in some people. For these people a bedbug bite can be life-threatening.

Bedbugs will hide in things like clothes, bedding, furniture, suitcases and other similar belongings. This means that they can easily travel from one home to another. This is why bedbugs are common in student accommodation, hostels, hotels and similar places.

Bedbugs breed quickly and therefore can spread quickly too. Imagine you are staying in student accommodation, and you are lucky enough not to have bedbugs in your room. However, the person in the nest room does. They sit on the sofa in the communal area. Some of the bedbugs leave their clothes, go into the sofa. They then lay waiting in the sofa and climb onto your clothes – which you then take into your bedroom.

Alternatively, a friend comes to stay from another student accommodation. They bring their suitcase as they are staying for a few days. In that suitcase, unbeknownst to them, they bring bedbugs too.

These are just two examples of how bed bugs quickly spread through student accommodation.

If you think you may have bedbugs in your room, do a quick check. Look around the mattress and bedframe for blood spots. These will often be along the line of the bed, the headboard and the bottom of the mattress too. If you spot any signs of bedbugs, tell the landlord, agent or university staff immediately.