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Bedbugs found in high school

Students sent home with letters, info.

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 10:28 PM Monday, December 12, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — Bedbugs were reported in a Springfield High School classroom, but school officials say it’s nothing to be alarmed about.

Some students were sent home with a note last week informing their parents bedbugs were found at Springfield High School. The blood-sucking insects spread quickly by “hitchhiking” on people’s clothes and bags.

Superintendent David Estrop said they rarely deal with infestations and have been sending letters home for the past two years in order to keep parents informed.

“We literally don’t want to sweep this one under the bed. We want to be obvious about this because bedbugs are a common problem throughout the country right now,” he said.

Anytime a bedbug is found on school property, Estrop said the school confirms what the bug is with the Clark County Combined Health District.

The area is then cleaned and exterminated — if necessary — and a letter is sent to parents along with information on what bedbugs are and how to deal with them.

It’s not a problem isolated to Springfield schools. A recent Ohio Bed Bug Workgroup reports this is the worst infestation the state’s seen in 50 years. Ineffective pesticides coupled with economic issues and lack of awareness contribute to the problem, the report said.

Students said they think the school should notify all households when there’s an issue with bedbugs.

“When people come to school with bedbugs they walk through the halls and stuff. They can spread them just by touching you,” said Cody Lane, a freshman.

Freshman Kevin Moore said his family just got rid of an infestation and he doesn’t want to worry about getting the bugs at school.

“It was horrible. It was really, really horrible and I just don’t want to catch them again,” he said.

Estrop said with 1,800 students he doesn’t think the school needs to inform everyone each time a bedbug is found.

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