Bed Bugs

As we’ve all recently heard, Bed Bugs are more than a misguided way for parents to scare their kids to sleep.  They are real, they travel well, and they do bite! 

St. John's College does not have a notable incidence of bed bugs on campus.  However, as the presence of these pests increases throughout the country, and with the number of visitors to campus throughout the summer months, we want to be sure everyone is doing their part to keep the college bed-bug-free! 

Travel & Repellants

We hope everyone will do their best to avoid bringing bed bugs to St. John’s, any travel destination, and/or back home with you when you travel.  When you travel, try keeping sachets of herbs in your suitcase, as the smell will keep them out of your belongings and help you avoid carrying them from city to city. Tuck two sachets into your suitcase, one on either side. It's also a good idea to place a couple in the pockets of your hanging garments, or in any folded clothing you plan on placing in drawers.

We found these sachet recipes on-line, that should fill seven to ten small muslin bags.
Sachet 1: 1 Cup dried eucalyptus leaves, ½ Cup dried rosemary, ½ Cup dried lavender buds, 10 large cloves
Sachet 2: 1 Cup loose-leaf black walnut tea, ½ Cup dried eucalyptus leaves, ½ Cup dried lavender buds, ¼ Cup dried thyme, 2 bay leaves

At Home

To help keep these critters away from your bed at home, try the same sprays of mint and lavender that might sooth skin along baseboards, in cracks and crevices, on a mattress, or between a mattress and box spring as a natural bed bug repellant.  A sachet can also work as a repellent when placed between the mattress and box spring.  Dusting diatomaceous earth around the cracks in your bedroom is one of best natural remedies against bed bugs, is safe, and non-toxic.

Bed bugs don’t fly, so the only way for them to get to you is up the legs of your bed.  If you grease the legs of the bed with petroleum jelly, they can’t climb up!

Bed bugs can thrive in clutter, so try to tidy up every now and again.  Also, be careful about the used furniture and clothing you purchase and bring into your home.

Bites

Bed bugs are apple-seed size parasitic insects that feed at night, making them difficult to find in the daylight.  They prefer humans to just about any other creature, leaving bites that frequently produce no reaction (they are kind enough to inject an anesthetic).  Bed bugs do not transmit communicable diseases, and most believe they pose little risk to folks. However, some people may be allergic to their saliva, causing them to experience skin irritation and swelling.

Bed bugs don’t discriminate – any part of the body will do.  Bites usually appear as small, red, itchy bumps, frequently in a row.

Treatment for Bites

If one is experiencing itching and inflammation, try antibiotic cream or a local antiseptic lotion (calamine lotion or a hydrocortisone cream, for example).  For a more natural approach, a spray or oil containing lavender, mint, or chamomile can provide some comfort, or applying a slice of raw potato to the itchy spots. 

Treatment for Your Stuff

Anything that can be laundered can be washed in hot water with detergent, then dried in the dryer.  Heat and soap should do the trick.

Let us Know!

If you think there are bed bugs in your room on campus, let conference services know immediately.

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