What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small wingless insects whose bites can cause an itchy reaction in humans and animals. They are reddish-brown in appearance and are about the size of an apple seed. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, and their bites typically do not require medical attention. However, bed bugs can pose an infestation risk if left untreated.
Due to proactive inspections by our maintenance team and partnered contractors, the chances of you encountering bed bugs in residence is very low. These routine inspections are conducted by human experts and their highly trained Bed Bug Dogs.
Prepare for an inspection
- Remove all food, drinks, and garbage from your room.
- Remove all loose items from the floor.
- Be prepared to leave your room during the 5-minute inspection.
- 30 minutes prior to inspection – All ceiling fans and regular fans need to be turned off.
- 30 minutes prior to inspection – The furnace, furnace blower, or air conditioner need to be turned off.
- 30 minutes prior to inspection – All windows and doors need to be closed.
- Store any household cleaning products or chemicals in an enclosed container or cabinet to ensure the K9 does not come into contact with them. These products may be toxic to dogs.
- On the day of your inspection, please refrain from using any scented cleaning products, room fresheners, essential oil diffusers, or candles.
Signs of bed bugs
- Rows or clusters of bug bites, typically on exposed areas of the body.
- Small blood spots on your bed sheets or linens
- Dead, molting, or live bugs in your room.
If you suspect you have bed bugs, or have questions or concerns, please email us at housing@bcit.ca.