2 South Huntington schools treated for bedbugs

Bedbugs have been found in two South Huntington schools on four separate occasions in the past three weeks, district officials said Thursday.

District spokesman Steve Bartholomew said there is no evidence of an infestation in the schools - Birchwood Intermediate and Oakwood Primary Center.

"We take anything seriously that is a health issue for our children," Bartholomew said. "We're doing everything we possibly can."

On three occasions, a single bedbug was found in the morning in Birchwood Intermediate - once crawling on the gym floor and twice in different classrooms.

Letters were sent home with students on the days of the discoveries, including Thursday, on Nov. 12 and on or about Nov. 9, Bartholomew said.

One bug was found in a classroom at Oakwood Primary Center on Oct. 29.

Bartholomew said the district has been alerting parents just as it would if lice had been found in a building: a letter was sent home to students in the room at the time the bugs were found.

Officials believe the bugs were carried into school either on clothing or in a backpack, Bartholomew said. The district has been using an exterminator who uses a refrigerant to freeze the affected areas each time a bug is discovered.

Bartholomew said the district does not use pesticides inside or outside district buildings because they can be harmful to children.

"We're confident that the district is doing everything they need to be doing at this point," PTA Council president Doreen Boehme said Thursday.

"I have no doubt they are handling this situation and any further incidents. I know they will be right on top of it."