As children return to classrooms and daycare facilities, close contact with classmates and the daily routine of carrying backpacks and lunch bags can create opportunities for pests to spread or enter the home. The start of a new school year is a good time to remind families about common pest concerns that tend to increase when children return to shared learning environments.
This toolkit was developed to help organizations, agencies, and businesses across the region share timely, relevant messaging about common back-to-school pest concerns, including head lice and household pests attracted to food debris in backpacks and lunch bags. All graphics have been reviewed by experts and are ready to share.
Ready-to-Share Posts & Graphics
- When posting:
- Use the #vectoroutreach hashtag
- Mention us @vectoroutreach
- Suggested Post Caption
Back-to-school season means children are spending more time in close contact with classmates and friends, which can increase the risk of head lice transmission. Head lice are common, with an estimated 6 to 12 million cases each year in the U.S. among children aged 3 to 11.
Head lice are spread by head-to-head contact between people; they do not live outdoors or on pets. Head lice are not a reflection of cleanliness or hygiene. Knowing the signs and checking your child’s hair regularly can help to detect and treat infestations early.
#BackToSchool #HeadLice #PublicHealth #vectoroutreach
- Suggested Post Caption
Schools and daycare facilities bring children together in close quarters, introducing opportunities for common pests to spread or hitch a ride home. Head lice are one of the most common back-to-school pest concerns, spreading through head-to-head contact or sharing of hats, brushes, or hair ties between classmates.
Household pests like ants and cockroaches are also attracted to food debris left in backpacks and lunch bags, making it important to clean them out regularly.
Staying aware of these common pest risks and knowing the signs of an infestation can help keep your family and home protected. 
#BackToSchool #PestPrevention #PublicHealth #vectoroutreach
- Download Facebook/Instagram Graphic
- Suggested Post Caption
Backpacks and lunch bags can harbor crumbs and food debris that attract pests like ants and cockroaches. Making it a habit to clean them out regularly is a simple step that can help keep unwanted guests out of your home. 🎒
#BackToSchool #PestPrevention #PublicHealth #vectoroutreach
- Suggested Post Caption
Head lice are one of the most common back-to-school pest concerns, spreading easily through head-to-head contact and sometimes through sharing hats, brushes, or hair ties. Regularly checking your child’s hair and knowing the signs of an infestation can help catch it early. 🎒
#BackToSchool #HeadLice #PublicHealth #vectoroutreach
- Suggested Post Caption
As kids head back to school, backpacks and lunch bags can quickly become hiding spots for crumbs, wrappers, and forgotten food items that attract pests. Taking a few minutes to clean out bags and remove food debris at the end of each school day is a simple habit that can help keep pests like ants and roaches out of your home and your child’s school. 🎒
#BackToSchool #PestPrevention #VectorOutreach
