<p>Maybe I’m being a little too worried, but I’m starting to wonder if I shouldn’t pick up some sort of spray for D’s dorm mattress and one that cold be easily packed for hotel stays also. Specifically I’m a bit concerned about bedbugs as I know an apartment complex in my area has had a big problem lately. I’m thinking dorms would be an ideal place for them to spread. Any suggestions for how to “clean” the dorm mattress?</p>
<p>Son has allergies, so we send an anti-allergen mattress cover that encloses the entire mattress and zips shut. I have no idea how effective that would be for bedbugs. Are dorms having bedbug problems?</p>
<p>I did spray it down with Lysol. I was actually relieved to find that the dorm mattress are covered by some sort of almost rubberized coating and I’m guessing they get washed down with a bleach solution or something after move out. As far as bedbugs, I’m sure the school can tell you what their pest managment program is. Very likely they spray the heck out of everything when it’s empty, and again at Christmas break. I don’t know that you would want to spray pesticide all over your d’s.</p>
<p>The home improvement guy on the radio (Gary Sullivan) suggested this [Natural</a> Ginesis - Kleen Green Enzymes](<a href=“http://naturalginesis.com/products_kleengreen.html]Natural”>http://naturalginesis.com/products_kleengreen.html) to a caller and said it’s non-toxic.</p>
<p>I have my kid take a zippered plastic cover for the mattress. Got it at Bed Bath & Beyond.
You are correct to be concerned as there have been numerous accounts of bedbugs in dorms.
I am not aware of any spray that is fully effective on bedbugs, since DDT has been banned.
See [Bed</a> Bugs](<a href=“http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/bedbugs/]Bed”>http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/bedbugs/)</p>
<p>JEM said exactly what I’ve learned. My son’s dorm had a bad case of bedbugs last year. An exterminator was called in for a series of three treatments during school breaks. They had to spray the entire dorm. We’ll see if they’re gone this year. When you check-into your dorm room (or hotel), examine the mattress seams. That is where they like to hide. They are visible with the naked eye. Harvard has one of the best web sites for advice;</p>
<p>[Bed</a> Bugs](<a href=“http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/bedbugs/]Bed”>http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/bedbugs/)</p>
<p>I just saw bed bug mattress protectors yesterday in Target for $34, sized for XL twin. After reading the article in the NY Times last week about the resurgence of bed bugs (due mainly to the banning of DDT), I am buying one or two (not sure if dorm beds have box springs).</p>
<p>You guys are awesome! I didn’t even think of bed bugs. Certainly didn’t think of that when I went to college. Will definitely send son with these products!</p>
<p>By all means get a mattress cover or pad if you think your child will be more comfortable - but it won’t help if the dorm has a problem with bedbugs! Bugs live in cracks and behind molding, etc. Encapsulating the mattress doesn’t keep bugs from crawling from their hiding places onto the bed during the night. To handle that, you would need to have a bug-free bed, bedding that stays away from the wall, and all 4 feet of the bed set into containers of mineral oil… Relax - this is not a problem you can help with from home.</p>