London’s back to school pests you don’t see coming

Return to school hygiene tips | Back to school pests | Pest prevention for parents

The start of a new school year always feels like a fresh chapter. For kids and parents all across London and the UK. Uniforms are pressed, bags are packed, and the daily routine of packed lunches, homework and after-school clubs kicks back in. But while parents are busy juggling timetables, there are some less welcome guests preparing to make an appearance.

At Mercury Pest Control, we often see a spike in call-outs throughout September. The reason is simple: the back-to-school season doesn’t just bring children together in classrooms, it also gives pests the perfect opportunity to spread. From head lice to bed bugs to rodents seeking autumn shelter, here’s what parents should know, and how to keep your home a healthy, pest-free space this back-to-school term.

Head lice: the school playground hitchhikers

Ask any parent and they’ll tell you head lice are almost a rite of passage during primary school years. After weeks of summer holidays, the return to crowded classrooms means close contact, shared resources and plenty of opportunities for lice to spread.

Parents can bee caught off guard, their child comes home scratching, and within days, the whole household is affected. While head lice are more of a nuisance than a health risk, the stress and discomfort they cause can be overwhelming if not tackled quickly.

Regular checks with a fine-tooth comb, tying back long hair, and acting fast at the first sign are still the most effective defences. The important thing is not to ignore the problem. Left untreated, lice can spread through siblings, parents, and even extended family members before you know it.

Bed bugs in schoolbags (and suitcases)

One of the most concerning trends we’ve seen in recent years is the rise of bed bugs making their way into homes via schools, and increasingly, through travel. Unlike head lice, which live on the scalp, bed bugs hitch a ride in belongings: schoolbags, coats, sports kits, books, and just as often, suitcases from hotels or overnight stays.

London back-to-school & back-to-business tips

It only takes one or two bugs hiding in a schoolbag to start an infestation. Once inside a home, bed bugs settle into soft furnishings and mattresses, and they’re very difficult to get rid of permanently without professional treatment.

We often hear of the first sign of bed bugs being unexplained bites on a child’s legs. We can then trace the source back to their schoolbag being left on a bed or sofa each afternoon. Similarly, we see infestations start when after a period of travel, unpack directly onto beds or store unchecked luggage in bedrooms after a business or weekend trip.

Some simple day-today habits can make a difference:

• Keep schoolbags off beds and sofas
• Wash PE kits, sports gloves and uniforms at high temperatures
• On returning from travel or work trips, wash all clothes immediately, again at high temperatures
• Vacuum and clean out suitcases before putting them away
• Regularly check mattress seams and soft furnishings
• Don’t ignore bites and if concerned, have a pest survey from a reputable pest control contractor who is BPCA registered

If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, contact Mercury Pest Control right away. As a result of their feeding and breeding behaviours, bed bugs can rapidly multiply and cause significant irritation. At Mercury Pest Control, we specialise in bed bug removal for London’s homes and businesses. If you think you have an infestation, call us today for a no-obligation survey.

Kitchen pests and the return of packed lunches

With children back in school, the kitchen often becomes the busiest room in the house again. Morning rushes mean crumbs, half-packed snacks and sticky surfaces, all of which are perfect for pests like ants, fruit flies and pantry moths.

It’s quite common for us to be called out in September to homes where infestations started with nothing more than a forgotten lunch box, or an open packet of cereal tucked at the back of a cupboard. In family kitchens, even the smallest amount of food residue can attract unwanted visitors.

Before the term gets fully underway, it’s worth giving your cupboards and worktops a deep clean. Store dry goods like cereals, biscuits and pasta in sealed containers, and get into the habit of rinsing lunch boxes and bottles straight after school. These small steps make a big difference in keeping pests out of the family food routine.

Rodents on the move as autumn approaches

September also marks the start of rodent season. As nights get cooler, mice and rats begin looking for food and shelter indoors. Family homes are especially vulnerable at this time of year because busy school routines often mean food wrappers left in bags, bins not emptied quickly enough, or gaps around doors that go unnoticed.

In London, the problem is often made worse by older houses. We see countless cases of mice moving between terraced properties and flats through shared voids and wall cavities. Parents often don’t notice until the signs become obvious: droppings in cupboards, gnaw marks on food packaging, or scratching sounds at night.

Acting early is key. Sealing gaps, keeping bins secured, and storing children’s snacks properly all reduce the risk of rodents settling in. If you’ve had problems before, it may be worth booking a survey before autumn sets in fully.

Back-to-school pest prevention checklist

While no parent can control everything their child brings home, a few habits can make a big difference:

• Check children’s hair weekly for lice
• Keep schoolbags off beds and soft furnishings
• Wash PE kits and uniforms at 60°C where possible
• Store snacks and cereals in airtight containers
• Rinse and clean lunch boxes daily
• Check foodstuffs for gnawed packaging and signs of damage from rodents
• Check for mice droppings alongside skirting boards, wall to floor junctions and behind sofas

Need support this term?

the back-to-school period is hectic enough without pests making things harder. If you’re worried about recurring infestations, or you’ve noticed early signs of bed bugs, rodents or other pests, it’s always best to act quickly.

At Mercury Pest Control, we work with families across London to identify risks, provide professional treatments and keep homes pest-free throughout the year.

📞 Call: 0208 166 5110
📩 Email: info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk
📍 Serving homes and businesses across all London postcodes