--- title: "Pest Control 101: Back to School Edition" description: It's back to school time for people AND pests - here's how to keep pests from looking for an after school snack in your house. image: https://blog.burgesspest.com/hubfs/Back%20to%20school%20pest%20control%20101.png --- [![Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Burgress_Oct2018/Images/Blog/Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png?width=468&name=Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png "Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png")](https://www.burgesspest.com) 508-587-4309  |    [Customer Login ](http://login.burgesspest.com/) - - - - - Residential - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) - Commercial - [Partnering with Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/partnering-with-burgess/) - [3-Part Plan](https://www.burgesspest.com/inspect-detect-correct/) - [A Higher Standard](https://www.burgesspest.com/higher-standard/) - [Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/services/) - [Disinfectant Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/disinfectant-services/) - [Sanitation Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/trash-chute-elevator-pit-cleaning/) - [Pest Management for Food Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/food-services-pest-management/) - [Pest Management for Warehousing & Distribution](https://www.burgesspest.com/warehouse-distribution-pest-management/) - [Our Guarantee](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-guarantee/) - [Pest Management for Healthcare](https://www.burgesspest.com/healthcare-pest-management/) - Termites - [Termite Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-termite-control/) - [The Sentricon System](https://www.burgesspest.com/the-sentricon-system/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-a-termite-inspection/) - Bed Bugs - [Identifying Bed Bugs](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bed-bug-control/) - [Heat Treatments](https://www.burgesspest.com/bed-bug-heat-treatments-in-massachusetts/) - [Let’s Talk!](https://www.burgesspest.com/lets-talk-bugs/) - Resources - [Our Blog](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog) - [Video Library](https://www.burgesspest.com/video-library/) - [SDS](https://www.burgesspest.com/sds/) - [Consumer Bulletins](https://www.burgesspest.com/consumer-bulletins/) - Company - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) ## Our Blog # Pest Control 101: Back to School Edition By [Admin](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/author/admin)| Aug 27, 2024 10:00:00 AM |[0 Comments](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/pest-control-massachusetts-back-to-school#comments-listing) [Summer](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/summer-cape-cod-pest-control-guidebook)has flown by, and it's back to school for thousands of students here in Massachusetts. Schools around the state are coming alive with activity, of both the human and pest variety - because where there are people, there's typically plenty of food, water, and shelter, making busy schools a prime target for a number of different pests. These critters don't just stop in the classroom, though: the return to school can mean[trouble with pests at home](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/how-to-keep-pests-out-of-your-home-diy-infographic) as well. With this in mind, here's a crash course in back-to-school pest control. ![Back to school pest control Massachusetts](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Back%20to%20school%20pest%20control%20101.png?width=455&height=228&name=Back%20to%20school%20pest%20control%20101.png) Keep backpacks clean. Remnants of snacks and lunches, as well as general clutter that accumulates inside backpacks over time can attract [ants](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/), flies, and rodents- and we hate to be the bearers of bad news, but [bed bugs](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bed-bug-control/) can also hitchhike into your home in the small, dark crevices of a backpack. Regularly cleaning out and washing backpacks according to manufacturer instructions helps to avoid problems with pests on the lookout for an after school snack. ![Pest control tips Massachusetts](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Woman%20cleaning%20the%20counter%20%20in%20the%20kitchen.jpeg?width=218&height=145&name=Woman%20cleaning%20the%20counter%20%20in%20the%20kitchen.jpeg)Clean lunchboxes, too. Lunchboxes are another school item that can collect grime that attracts pests. Each day, remove uneaten food, dispose of anything past its prime, and wipe down the lunchbox to help keep pests out of your kitchen (and tomorrow's lunch!). Keep dorms/rentals clean. Regularly remove trash, wipe down contact surfaces, and vacuum or sweep floors. Try to keep clutter to a minimum, and store food in sealed containers to avoid problems with ants, [roaches](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/roaches-in-massachusetts-what-you-should-know), rodents, [flies](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/get-rid-of-fruit-flies-south-shore-massachusetts), and other unwanted roommates (of the nonhuman persuasion). Change bedding regularly. [Bed bugs](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/massachusetts-bed-bug-control) are sneaky critters that have been known to thumb a ride home from school in backpacks and on clothing. Changing bedding on a regular basis gives you an opportunity to look for any signs of [bed bugs](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/bed-bug-awareness-week-massachusetts) - especially in a dorm or other community living-style setting. Not sure what to look for? [Learn more here.](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/how-do-i-know-if-i-have-bed-bugs-massachusetts) ![Bed Bugs Massachusetts](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BED%20BUGS/BED%20BUG%20MAGNIFYING%20GLASS.jpeg?width=218&height=145&name=BED%20BUG%20MAGNIFYING%20GLASS.jpeg)Avoid secondhand furniture. When moving into a dorm or other rental, secondhand furniture can be a tempting budget-friendly option, but when introduced to one room, [bug-infested furniture](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/bed-bugs-massachusetts) can lead to a full-blown infestation throughout, especially in close living quarters like dorms, apartment buildings, or group rentals. Bed bugs in particular move quickly from space to space on clothes, backpacks, and other items students carry around with them. --- Any school environment can present challenges with a number of pests, many of which can make their way back home at the end of the day. If you've taken notes and done your homework and are still struggling with a pest problem, something just isn't adding up and [it's time to call Burgess Pest](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - Our very educated experts are committed to providing A+ service, guaranteed. [![More Information or Request an Estimate](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/460754/86deec4f-54a5-4e69-af29-ecd8b8b9f86d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/460754/86deec4f-54a5-4e69-af29-ecd8b8b9f86d) Topics: [south shore ma pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-ma-pest-control), [fall pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/fall-pest-control), [massachusetts bed bug control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/massachusetts-bed-bug-control), [south shore pest control tips](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-pest-control-tips), [pest control tips](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/pest-control-tips), [massachusetts rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/massachusetts-rodent-control), [best massachusetts pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/best-massachusetts-pest-control), [massachusetts ant control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/massachusetts-ant-control), [boston ant control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/boston-ant-control), [south shore ma bee exterminators](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-ma-bee-exterminators), [fall pest control tips](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/fall-pest-control-tips), [south shore rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-rodent-control), [south shore ant control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-ant-control), [rhode island rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/rhode-island-rodent-control), [rhode island mouse control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/rhode-island-mouse-control), [cape cod rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/cape-cod-rodent-control), [south shore mouse control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-mouse-control), [rhode island bed bugs](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/rhode-island-bed-bugs), [metrowest rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/metrowest-rodent-control), [worcester rodent control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/worcester-rodent-control), [rhode island ant control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/rhode-island-ant-control), [cape cod ant control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/cape-cod-ant-control), [north shore ant control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/north-shore-ant-control), [worcester ant control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/worcester-ant-control), [metrowest ant control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/metrowest-ant-control), [massachusetts mouse control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/massachusetts-mouse-control), [north shore mouse control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/north-shore-mouse-control), [boston mouse control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/boston-mouse-control), [metrowest mouse control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/metrowest-mouse-control), [worcester mouse control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/worcester-mouse-control), [best boston pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/best-boston-pest-control), [best south shore pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/best-south-shore-pest-control), [south shore bed bug control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-bed-bug-control), [north shore bed bug control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/north-shore-bed-bug-control), [boston bed bug control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/boston-bed-bug-control), [worcester bed bug control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/worcester-bed-bug-control), [metrowest bed bug control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/metrowest-bed-bug-control), [cape cod bed bug control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/cape-cod-bed-bug-control)  Thanks for visiting today! ### Have a Pest Problem? 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