Bed Bug Blog

East Rutherford - Although school officials are not calling it an infestation, three bed bugs found in McKenzie School has prompted remediation and a report to the East Rutherford Board of Health.

"The first one was found on Friday," said Superintendent Kenneth Rota. "One was found on Monday and another yesterday (Tuesday)." "An inspection was conducted on Monday and pest management consultants are working to remediate the situation. They are coming back in today for a very thorough and extensive steam cleaning. Faust School will also be inspected."

Rota would not say where the bed bugs were found.

"As far as I know, the schools were kept open. Packets were sent home to the parents," said East Rutherford Board of Education member Mike Homaychak.

Debbie Dineen, spokesperson for Parsippany-based Western Test Services, the company that the school district uses for pest control, did not return a call for comment.

The East Rutherford Board of Health did not return a call at press time.

Bed bugs are transported from infested areas to non-infested areas when they cling to someone’s clothing or crawl into luggage, furniture or bedding brought into homes. Although they are not known to spread disease, they can cause allergic reactions, according to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

BY KELLY NICHOLAIDES