You’ve done your best with them: encouraged studying, budgeting, responsibility in social interactions and now, you’ve just sent them off on their first foray into adulthood. Millions of students head off for their introduction to dorm life this week.You’ve provided them with all of the necessities for their first try at life on their own: the mini-microwave and coffee machine, stylish new bedding to take away that dormitory institutional feel, their first set of dishes and utensils. All the creature comforts they could possibly need.
But what do they know about cleanliness? Sure, your home is your sanctuary, free of germs and the like that can cause harm. But what will their dorm room bring? According to a recent survey by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), cases of bed bugs have increased by 35% over 2010 in college dorms.
“Teaching your children proper cleaning techniques when they first leave home is invaluable”, says Robert Kahn, President, Reliable Corporation. “It is these habits that they will take with them for the rest of their lives – into their dorm, their first apartment and one day, their home. The PRONTO P7 is a great place to start to tackle bed bug problems that they and their friends are dealing with. Now.”
Bed bugs feed on human blood while we sleep (hence the name?). They are highly resilient, being easily transported in suitcases and backpacks, and can take permanent residence in mattresses, box springs, folded sheets, walls, baseboards and so on.
The NPMA offers advice on what to look for when you move your not-so-little one into their dorm room. So, if the space has been checked out properly with no evidence of these pests, your scholar’s life can go on, right? Isn’t it better to be safe rather than sorry (remember, your child will visit home!)?
Steam treatment is a recommended method for eliminating bed bugs. In fact, even the City of Toronto, Public Health Department agrees, “steam kills all stages of bed bugs” without the use of chemicals. Sleeping on a surface that has been soaked in chemicals is not only unpleasant smelling but poses potential health hazards. Successful treatment depends on an Integrated Pest Management approach to bed bug control. This involves, steaming and vacuuming, laundering belongings, plus sealing areas and gaps where bed bugs can hide.
It is essential that the steam machine produces a dry ‘vapor’ steam at a minimum temperature of 120°F or 36°C to be effective in killing bed bugs and properly sanitizing all surfaces. So, once you’ve armed your scholar with a steam cleaner it’s easy to fill them in on the basics of removal. You can learn more here.
When picking-up all of their essentials for higher education and life on their own, why not start them on the right track. With such a massive number of steam cleaners on the market today, which one should you chose? Well, Reliable’s PRONTO P7 packs a powerful steam punch in a compact, easy-to-store, multi-purpose steam cleaner. Not only will it be integral in the removal of bed bugs, but it can be used to clean multiple surfaces like shelves, windows and countertops, as well as keep them looking crisp and put together when used on clothing. The perfect steam cleaner for their new dormitory life and your piece of mind.
