Booneville school treated for bed bugs – Van Buren Press Argus-Courier

By Glenn M. ParrishBooneville Democrat editor

BOONEVILLE Booneville Schools Superintendent John Parrish confirmed bed bugswere discovered at the schools elementary school, which houses grades 1-6, and the school had been treated for the problem.

In January, the Extension Service confirmed bed bugs had been reported in Booneville and New Blaine in Logan County.

Parrish said the school would undergo treatment for bed bugs by a professional exterminator last Friday after regular school hours. School remained in session until that point.

It was back in session on Monday after the treatment, which Parrish said went fine.

Because the discovery of the bugs was limited to four or five, Parrish said, initially the school had planned to take care of the issue themselves over the weekend, but once parents began to voice concerns Parrish opted for a professional exterminator.

I dont think four or five (bugs) is an epidemic, Parrish said.

According to the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service, bed bugs can be introduced into a structure via used furniture or in the belongings of someone who has been living in a bed bug infested situation. Adults can survive for up tosix to sevenmonths if they are well fed and they can feed on other animals if humans are not present. When the temperature falls below 61F/16C, adults enter semi-hibernation and can survive for months.

The school districts approach is in line with Cooperative Extension Service recommendations that individuals with bed bug problems should enlist the aid of an experienced commercial pest management professional. When initiating a bed bug control program, a thorough inspection is indispensable. Non-chemical methods involving encasement, thorough vacuuming, hot laundering/drying, steam treatment, dry heat treatment, or cold treatment should be considered. Also, treat any live bed bugs found with an appropriately labeled pesticide.

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Booneville school treated for bed bugs - Van Buren Press Argus-Courier