Back to School, Back to Basics: What Every Student Should Know About Bed Bugs and Cockroaches This Move-In Season

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Postmedia has not reviewed the content. by GlobeNewswire Back to School, Back to Basics: What Every Student Should Know About Bed Bugs and Cockroaches This Move-In SeasonAuthor of the article:Toronto, Ontario, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Move-in week means students settling into dorms and shared rentals, usually with a secondhand couch, a mattress someone gave them, and a pile of cardboard boxes. Abell Pest Control says that mix of people, furniture, and boxes is often exactly how bed bugs and cockroaches show up in student homes. Sometimes they travel in with someone’s stuff. Other times, they were already in the room, left behind by whoever lived there before.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account“Every fall we see the same pattern,” said Mike Heimbach, Vice-President, Abell Pest Control. “Bed bugs don’t care where furniture came from. They just need a ride, or they may have been in the room from a previous tenant. Cockroaches move in just as easily, especially in shared kitchens where food gets left out or dishes pile up. The problem is neither one announces itself. Students often don’t know they have a problem until it’s already spread.”Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againWhat Students Moving Away Should Watch ForInspect anything second-hand before it comes into your room, whether it’s a mattress, a couch, or a dresser someone left behind. Check seams, folds, and joints closely; that’s where bed bugs hide.Check the room before you unpack. Bed bugs are often already there, left behind by a previous occupant, so look for the signs before you settle in: small blood spots on the sheets or mattress, dark fecal spotting along the seams of the mattress near the headboard, or shed skins in the corners of drawers and bed frames.Keep food sealed and dishes out of the sink in shared kitchens. Cockroaches only need a few crumbs and some moisture to survive, and most species prefer warm, dark hiding places with easy access to water. Check under the coffee maker, along countertop edges, and underneath containers, common spots where they shelter close to a food source. And don’t rule out sightings just because the bug looks small.If you spot roaches or bed bugs, tell your landlord or residence staff right away, and make sure they take fast, appropriate action. These pests won’t go away on their own; a licensed pest control professional is needed to get rid of them.The same principle applies just as easily to backpacks and lunch bags as it does to a dorm room couch: pests don’t discriminate by age, and a little awareness at the door is often all it takes to keep them from becoming a bigger problem.Founded in 1924, Abell Pest Control has spent over a century delivering trusted pest management services. With generations of experience protecting homeowners, businesses, and their patrons, Abell combines deep industry expertise with a genuine commitment to customer care, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Learn more about Abell by visiting www.abellpestcontrol.com.Eliana Pasquariello Abell Pest Control epasquariello@abellgroup.com This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. 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