Ky. School Bans Backpacks, Lunchboxes After Bedbugs Appear

(CBS/AP) What would you do if your child came home from school with bedbugs? Freak out?

Well, one south-central Kentucky school is trying to avoid that problem by temporarily banning backpacks, lunchboxes and other items after finding bedbugs in a school building.

A half-dozen of the bloodsucking pests were spotted recently at Salem Elementary School in Russell County. WKYT-TV reports they were found on the floor of a classroom and on one student's backpack.

Though the bugs can cause itchy bites, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says bedbugs are not known to transmit or spread diseases. The bugs hide in dark spots such as mattresses, pillows and curtains, and they hitchhike from place to place on bags, clothing and in luggage.

Russell County Schools Superintendent Kenneth Pickett said an exterminator visited the school and no more have been reported.