MORENCI, Mich. — Morenci Area Schools were closed for students Thursday and Friday after bed bugs were found in the high school Tuesday morning.
After a company came in to spray the school and several buses, classes were scheduled to resume Monday.
Superintendent Michael L. McAran sent a letter Tuesday to parents saying the district is working to be proactive in the spread of bed bugs and that "the areas of exposure were limited with most rooms and areas as not being identified. Therefore, the identified areas and classrooms, throughout the district, will be systematically sprayed this evening with a rubbing alcohol spray for the treatment of Bed Bugs."
The district contacted K-9 Bed Bug Hunters to ensure the schools are healthy for students and staff.
"With the additional help of the trained dogs the district will be able to target specific items and areas as possible homes to Bed Bugs. The identified areas will either receive a heat treatment (a device that heats up objects to over 120 degrees to kill any living bugs or eggs), or will be treated with a rubbing alcohol spray to kill the bed bugs and prevent further infestation," said McAran in the letter.
You can read the full letter and find more information on Bed Bugs provided by the district here.
Wednesday night, the dogs alerted school officials to areas with bed bug scent including lockers and a social worker office.
A total of four dead bed bugs were found inside a high school and middle school science room and a classroom.
Monday Morning McAran sent out another letter to parents to increase clarity about the steps being taken to stop the spread of Bed Bugs.
The letter said there was an additional inspection from Bullseye Pest Defense on Thursday. That inspection resulted in a comprehensive treatment plan for Friday.
Bullseye Pest Defense then heat treated the infected classrooms and sprayed the entire elementary, middle, and high school buildings.
Busses were also sprayed as well.
There were not any additional Bed Bugs found throughout the process.
You can read Monday's letter in its entirety here.
McAran believes that a few students brought the bed bugs to school from home. He advised parents to keep their homes clean by vacuuming and laundering diligently. He also advised parents clean out their child's backpacks.
Click here to learn more about how to prevent bed bugs from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
