TCU Isn't Letting the Bed Bugs Bite

This is a story my editors chose not to run, my lead was too cute.

         As the nurturing TCU tucks students in under a purple hazy light from the BLUU, they’re whispering, “Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” TCU is fortunate that it has not seen an outbreak of bed bugs despite a nationwide problem. According to insidehighered.com, bed bug infestations are on the rise around college campuses.
       Craig Allen, Director of Housing and Residence Life, said this year there was one case of suspected bed bugs reported and three last year, but no confirmed cases. He said unfortunately people could easily transport bed bugs back to TCU if they are not careful of where they stay when they travel.
      “All it would take you bring your own pillow and the bed had bed bugs, boom it’s transported with you, it doesn’t take much for them to get picked up somewhere,” Allen said.
       Allen urges students to understand bed bugs and realize their fears could potentially be something else. If students find bites on them they should revisit where they were including being outside.
      “I have no doubt that some students think they have been bitten but as we’ve gone to rooms to look for bed bugs, they’re simply not there. If we find them, we will absolutely take care of them,” Allen said.
    
     These small bugs are only as big as the end of a pen but can wreak havoc on anyone’s residence. According to abcnews.com the biggest problems facing college campuses is these bugs can live up to 18 months without feeding and are easily transported as students move back and forth to campus.
        Abcnews.com also reported that bed bugs can live on mattresses, crevices, or any fabric and leave welts after biting, but 70 percent of people do not react to bites. The bugs do not carry diseases.
        USbedbugs.com reported the best way to prevent the bugs from entering your mattress is to buy a mattress encasement. The encasements can be bought at home stores and many are proved to be “bug-free.”
        TCU is not immune to bed bugs but the best way for students to prevent them from spreading is being aware of their surroundings and their belongings.