Preventing Bed Bug Infestations: Essential Tips For College Students

Bug Busters Pest Pulse

In this back-to-campus edition of Bug Busters Pest Pulse, host Court Parker tackles a silent, stress-inducing threat that’s been plaguing college dorms, off-campus housing, and student apartments: bed bugs. As students prepare to move into shared spaces filled with secondhand furniture and high foot traffic, the risk of infestation skyrockets — and most don’t even know they’re at risk until it’s too late.

In this episode, you'll learn how to:

• Spot the early signs of bed bug infestations in dorms and apartments

• Inspect secondhand furniture before bringing it indoors

• Identify bite patterns and physical symptoms associated with bed bug exposure

• Conduct a move-in day room sweep (mattress seams, baseboards, crevices, etc.)

• Use heat, laundry cycles, and mattress encasements for effective prevention

• Stay vigilant throughout the semester and stop infestations before they spread

We’ll also explore:

• Why bed bugs thrive in college settings (communal spaces, turnover, travel)

• How to manage the mental toll of infestations, from anxiety to social stigma

• What colleges should be doing to prevent dorm-wide outbreaks

• When to escalate to professional pest control and what that process looks like

Whether you're a student, parent, or housing professional, this episode will arm you with smart, actionable strategies to protect personal belongings, living spaces, and peace of mind.

➔ Tune in now to stay bed bug–free this semester — because a pest-free college experience starts with education and prevention.