Submitted article
The Galion City School District, with the guidance of the Galion City Health Department, has taken precautionary steps to exterminate any pests in the wake of isolated cases of bed bugs.
After discovering two bed bugs at the Galion Intermediate School, the district immediately hired a state licensed professional exterminator. The exterminator worked in district buildings to eliminate any presence of the pests. The exterminator also installed traps in the buildings that are being monitored closely. These measures were taken in light of recent isolated cases of bed bugs being found, including an isolated case of a High School student arriving to school with bed bugs and being sent home Oct. 8.
“We have been working closely with the professionals at the Galion City Health Department to ensure safe and effective procedures are being followed to prevent further findings,” Superintendent Jim Grubbs said. “The Health Department is not recommending that parents remove their children from school due to this bed bug finding.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bed bugs are a nuisance but are not known to cause or spread disease. They are usually active at night when they feed, and their bite is usually painless but may become swollen and itch.
If you have experienced bed bugs in your home, it is strongly recommended that you seek professional assistance from a licensed pest control company. Contact your healthcare provider should you suspect that you, or a family member, require care for bed bug bites.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Galion City School District Superintendent James Grubbs at 419-468-3432, or Galion City Health Department Environmental Health Director Stephanie Zmuda at 419-468-1075 ext. 1265.