Bed Bug-Sniffing Dog Brought Into Lowell Elementary: District

WAUKESHA, WI — Staff members treated two classrooms for bed bug activity, officials at the Lowell Elementary School announced on Friday.

A single bed bug was found in a classroom at Lowell, principal Laurie Pogorzelski said in a letter to parents on Tuesday. The school isn't an ideal setting for bed bugs to live in, but a bed bug-sniffing dog was brought in on Friday to sweep the building for the creatures.

The dog found activity in a third grade classroom and staff members heated both third grade classrooms per pest control contractors' instruction, Pogorzelski said. Pest control experts said heating the classrooms was the best way to get rid of the bed bugs.

There wasn't any bed bug activity in other classrooms, but students were told to avoid the third grade hallway., Pogorzelski added.

Staff will deep clean the building over spring break, the principal said. The dog will return to sweep the building again for bug activity.

Parents will be updated before the start of the school day on March 28, Pogorzelski said.

Bed bugs usually stick around where humans sleep and live, and can hitchhike in clothes and belongings, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said. They can be found across the state.