College students bringing home bed bugs

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - College students returning home for summer break may be bringing more than just dirty laundry.

Bed bugs may have hitched a ride on your child's belongings and into your home.

We've learned pest control companies have had an increase of calls from panicked parents dealing with bed bugs.

Bed bug expert Tony DeJesus of Big Blue Bug Solutions says you can stamp out bed bugs before they infiltrate your home.

"Don't be afraid to turn things inside out, look through the piping area where things get caught, the stitching areas.  Those are perfect spots where bed bugs would like to hide and cling," said DeJesus.

Once you've thoroughly inspected their clothes, don't forget their backpacks and suitcases.

"There are so many little pockets.  You go right through and check everything.  I check it all," said DeJesus.

Next, he recommends putting everything in a bag and heading to the dryer.

Throwing the clothes on a high heat cycle in the dryer will kill anything you might have missed.

If you've already spotted these unwanted pests in your home, there are some do-it yourself remedies that will easily get rid of minor cases of bed bugs.

"The most important thing is to buy something that says for bed bugs.  Even as professionals it takes multiple treatments, so as a homeowner do two to three treatments," said DeJesus.

Books and other items that can't be washed in the laundry can be placed in the freezer to kill any hidden bed bugs.