How to Avoid the Back-to-School Pests

How to Avoid the Back-to-School Pests
January 28, 2015 Cure All Pest Control

How to Avoid the Back-to-School Pests

back-to-school-pests

Pests are a natural part of our ecosystem. However, that does not mean that they have to be allowed to hitch a ride into our homes via school bags. Here is a list of the 5 most common back-to-school pests and tips on preventing them in your home.

 

Lice

Lice are parasites that feed on blood by attaching themselves to our scalp. They can spread from one person to another through contact with bedding, clothing, or by sharing combs. Lice are very common in schools as children tend to share clothing more and frequently come into close contact with each other.

Prevention

Avoid sharing combs, hats, towels, etc. If you suspect exposure to lice, wash all clothes, bedding, combs and towels. You can also use special combs, shampoos and conditioners designed specifically to treat lice, and some of these can be used as a preventative measure if the school notifies you of an outbreak.


Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can easily attach themselves to clothing and bags and travel into your home from school. Bed bug bites are extremely painful and they will typically bite repeatedly in a cluster so your child will more than likely be able to tell you that something has bitten them. Be aware that the bites do look similar to mosquito bites though. Also, do not ever mistake an allergic reaction for an insect bite; check your child for any symptoms that may indicate an allergy.

Prevention

Teach your children to keep their clothes (and linen for Kindergarten years) in their own bag and to not play any bag swapping games or to take anybody else’s clothing. Get into the habit of always shaking out your child’s bag before entering the house. This is a helpful hint to avoid any pests that might have been hiding in there during the day.


Ants

While ants are not harmful, their bites are extremely painful and larger ants such as the Green Ant has been known to cause allergic reactions. Ants can also contaminate food by leaving their bodily waste behind.

Prevention

To help prevent ants in your home during the school season, try to keep all food sealed and in airtight containers. Remind kids to clean up after themselves and to not place any open or spilled items back into their lunch bag.


Bees

Bees are attracted to anything sweet, especially high-sugar drinks. Allergies to bee stings are one of the most common causes of severe allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms include an all over rash, swelling of the tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting or a severe drop in blood pressure. The Honey Bee is the most common cause of allergic reactions to insects in Australia.

Prevention

Teach your children to remain calm if they see a bee hovering around their cold drink. They need to put the drink down and move away without aggravating the bee by screaming or shaking their hands. Children should also never leave a can of cold drink unattended as bees are renowned for flying in unnoticed. Also teach your children to not play with flowers that appear to be attracting bees. It’s good to keep in mind that bees are generally harmless and will not attack unless they feel threatened.


Fruit Flies

These small flies contaminate food and pass along bacteria and pathogens. They are typically attracted to fruit that has begun to rot so bins need to be emptied regularly. Once they have infested a bin, they will easily be attracted to any other fruit or sweet food that is in close proximity.

Prevention

Ensure that fruit is always placed in sealed containers. Wash out lunch bags regularly with a sanitising liquid to rid them of any bacteria build up. If you notice fruit flies at school, notify a teacher immediately and request that the bins be emptied and sanitised.


In general, ensure that all of your child’s belongings are clearly labelled with their name. This is the most effective way to ensure that the wrong items are not mistakenly brought home. If you do encounter any pests, use it as a learning experience to help teach your children to be more mindful at school when it comes to preventing pests. We’ve also found a great website called Pest World for Kids. It’s a great, easy-to-understand site specially designed for kids. There is an A-Z guide on common pests with very comprehensive information on each. The site also has eBooks, craft projects, videos and games all themed around pests. Related article: Protect Yourself from Bedbugs When Travelling

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