San Francisco Unified School District

Student, Family and Community Support Department

School Health Programs

1515 Quintara Street San Francisco, California 94116

Phone: 415-242-2615 Fax: 415-242-2618

PROCEDURE FOR BED BUGS

Actual bed bug infestations in schools are uncommon; a few bugs do not indicate an infestation. However bed

bugs can occasionally travel to school from an infested home in backpacks or in student clothing. The following procedure should be followed if a bed bug is found at school.

BED BUGS IN A CLASSROOM OR ON STUDENT

Use a piece of tape to preserve the bug and place in a plastic bag. Have a knowledgeable staff member identify it.

If you have a question, call the Nurse of the Day at 242-2615.

Discreetly remove the student from the classroom. Have the school nurse or knowledgeable staff member

examine the student’s clothing and other belongings for the presence of bed bugs or eggs. Remove and

collect the bug(s) found for identification.

STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED FROM SCHOOL

If a bed bug is confirmed, the school principal or school nurse should contact the parents/guardians and

inform them of the presence of bed bug(s) and what steps to take. Provide attached educational materials

to the student’s parent/guardian. Additional materials can be found at the following websites:

http://www.sfdph.org/dph/EH/Housing/BedBugs.asp

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/pages/bedbugs.aspx

In the case of a suspected bed bug infestation, consider using the attached letter in multiple languages to notify the other parents/guardians in that classroom.

Families may also contact SF Department of Public Health - Environmental Health staff for information

regarding their place of residence by dialing 311, going online at http://www.sf311.org or calling 415-252-3800.

If multiple bed bugs are found in the classroom notify the Director of Custodial Services at 695-5535 for

recommendations regarding classroom management of bed bugs. Any pest management that includes the

use of chemicals must conform to the school’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan. Custodial Services will make arrangements with the District’s pest management contractor to visit the site and

determine if the situation warrants further action.

BED BUG PREVENTION AT SCHOOL

Backpacks and clothing traveling between home and school can be separated, e.g. kept on hooks or in plastic

containers or bags.

Bed Bug Procedure SFCSD 4/12