A room in College-in-the-Woods’ Cayuga Hall has been infested with bed bugs, according to Physical Facilities spokeswoman Karen Fennie.

The room, which is inhabited by three female freshmen, was fumigated by an exterminator who determined that the pests had been eradicated.

‘We followed our normal protocol and carefully looked at the infected room as well as the rooms adjacent to it,’ Fennie said.

According to Fennie, no traces of the insects were discovered in other rooms and the situation is ‘under control.’

Following Binghamton University protocol, the room will be treated again for the pests in 30 days.

‘Our University protocol goes above and beyond the standard procedure required by the state,’ Fennie said.

The student whose bed was infested was required to throw out all of her bedding to prevent any possibility of a second infestation.

According to the New York State Department of Health, bed bugs are not dangerous, but their bites can produce small, itchy welts on the skin of inhabitants.

The insects tend to feed on sleeping hosts for five to 10 minutes at night, and then drop off to hide for two or three days while they digest their meal.

In most cases ‘people carry bed bugs into their homes unknowingly, in infested luggage, furniture, bedding or clothing,’ the NYSDH Web site states.

Bed bugs can also enter rooms through small cracks in walls and floors.

If students suspect they have bed bugs in their dorm rooms, they should notify a Residential Life staff member immediately.