School administrators hope the bedbug problem has been laid to rest once and for all after exterminators went to work at Warren County High School over the weekend after three bedbugs were discovered there last week.
However, word of a new discovery of bedbugs at Morrison School has raised alarm about a potential widespread problem.
“On Saturday, a professional pest control company treated the two rooms affected and treated 12 other classrooms and locker areas as a precautionary and proactive measure,” said Director of Schools Bobby Cox, noting there are also school buses that will be treated. “Also, to be proactive, we have taken any school bus that might have been an issue out of service and will treat them in the same manner.”
Bedbugs are a parasitic insect with a reputation of being difficult to remove. They prefer to feed on human blood and enjoy warm habitats such as bedding areas. Their bites commonly leave itchy welts.
Causing the issue was the discovery of two bed bugs in a classroom at WCHS on Thursday and then the discovery of another one in a separate classroom Friday. Students were moved to other areas and those rooms were sealed off until pest control experts could work at WCHS over the weekend.
Cox said like any other public building, schools are subject to having parasites brought in. He said the school system is consulting with health professionals to ensure they are following proper procedure.
Cox said the same is true at Morrison School. The room where the evidence of bedbugs was found will be treated just like the rooms at WCHS.
Cox clarified it was not actually a bedbug found at Morrison, but instead a shell or molt of one that was found hanging in a cobweb.