Bed bugs discovered at Uniontown Area High School
The Uniontown Area School District reported that bed bugs were recently discovered at the high school and measures are being taken to mitigate the pests.
On Friday, the administration was alerted to the discovery of bed bugs in the school and sent out a message to parents informing them of the discovery. Along with the confirmation, the district is also informing students, parents and guardians of the steps that are being taken to address the issue.
“Even though it is unlikely for bed bugs to infest a school, the district is conducting an integrated pest management program,” the message reads. “First, the district is employing a professional company to treat the building and monitor all areas moving forward.”
In addition, the district said it has partnered with community agencies to work with the household or households that have been identified as the source of the bed bugs to eradicate the pest problems that are occurring within those homes.
Assistant Superintendent Daniel Bosnic said a bed bug was found on two students and a bed bug was found in a classroom, and the district is working with those students’ families.
Bosnic added that the pest management program will take place at the high school over the weekend.
“It is our intention to provide a safe, clean, and positive learning environment for all of our students,” the message reads.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), bed bugs are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep.
Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, wingless and range in size from 1 mm to 7 mm, according to the CDC, which noted that bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but can be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep.
“One of the easiest ways to identify a bed bug infestation is by the tell-tale bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts while sleeping,” the CDC website reads. “However, these bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop in some people so it is important to look for other clues when determining if bed bugs have infested an area. These signs include: the bed bugs’ exoskeletons after molting; bed bugs in the fold of mattresses and sheets; rusty-colored blood spots due to their blood-filled fecal material that they excrete on the mattress or nearby furniture, and a sweet musty odor.”