COAL TOWNSHIP - A bed bug was found at Shamokin Area Elementary School Tuesday, but proper precautions have been taken and "we are not infested," principal Teresa Komara said Friday.
Komara said school was not canceled, no one was sent home and the classroom in which the bug was found was not quarantined, nor was the school required to take any of those actions.
"The district followed protocol and procedures in all aspects, as set forth by the Department of Health, school policy and Integrated Pest Management (for dealing with insects, rodents and weeds)," she said.
However, as a "pro-active approach" and to inform parents, Komara wrote a letter that was sent home with students Thursday. It said, in part, "Finding a bed bug does not mean that our school building is infested. Bed bugs are often unknowingly brought into the school by building occupants and, as a result, we may have future sightings."
According to policy, the school contacted a licensed pest control company, which inspected the classrooms and treated the situation appropriately.
Komara said further details could not be discussed since they deal with children and privacy laws, but she confirmed they dealt with the students in accordance with policies.
One mother who contacted The News-Item believes the school is under-
playing the significance of the situation, and said more needs to be done to ensure the school and community at large are not at risk. The mother, who wanted to remain anonymous so as not to affect her child in the school, said there is concern about whether the student who may have brought the bug to school is still attending and if more bugs will be introduced to the building. She noted other cases where there has been much difficulty in stopping bedbugs from multiplying.
Feed on blood
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), bed bugs are a nuisance and a public health pest, and are not known to transmit diseases. Rather, they can cause stress, discomfort and sores.
Bed bugs are nocturnal brownish creatures between 1/4 to 3/8 inch long. They have a flat, oval-shaped body, while younger bed bugs are smaller and lighter in color, according to the EPA.
They feed on blood, causing itchy bits and generally irritated their human hosts. When not feeding, bed bugs hide in a variety of places. Around the bed, they can be found near the piping, seams and tags of the mattress and box spring, and in cracks on the bed frame and head board.
In a heavy infestation, bugs can be found in the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, in the folds of curtains, in drawer joints, in electrical receptacles and appliances, under loose wall paper, wall hangings and other small places.
Treatment as needed
Komara said the district will continue working to identify pests, provide thorough inspections of schools and have licensed pest control specialists treat rooms appropriately.
"If you have experienced them in your home, we strongly recommend seeking professional assistance from a qualified pest control company," Komara wrote in the letter.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education referred questions to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, who referred inquiries to the EPA's informational page on its website.
On the Net: http://www.epa.gov/bedbugs.