Greek houses take precautions against bedbugs

University of Nebraska-Lincoln greek houses are taking precautions to fend off the bedbugs currently infesting residence halls on campus.

Linda Schwartzkopf, director of Greek Affairs at UNL, said each greek house is using its own defense against the pests, as there is no universal action required of all houses.

While residence halls report to UNL Housing, houses are privately owned by individual greek chapters, Schwartzkopf said. They must report to national organizations and corporation boards for maintenance issues. These corporation boards, made up of chapter alumni, are responsible for the upkeep of the house.

Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity took out an insurance policy to protect the house from bedbug-related expenses.

"The cost of extermination would be out of this world," said Kyle Arganbright, president of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni Board. He estimated the fee would be $1,900 for every infested room, while the insurance cost about $2,500.

If the 78 members currently residing in the house had to move out, the policy would help with the expenses associated with finding a temporary place for them to live. He said it also covers of any liability costs that would arise, such as if another building reported bedbugs and traced the infestation back to Sigma Phi Epsilon.

The fraternity has yet to be tested for the pests but Arganbright said no signs of an infestation have been spotted so far.

Fraternity Phi Delta Theta, though, has already had to deal with the process of extermination.

Junior sociology major and member of the fraternity Drew Jagadich said the house was tested after rumors of an infestation began flying around campus. The test came back positive.

The house was given a heat treatment and all fabrics, including sheets, clothing and carpets were thoroughly washed. Jagadich said the process was nothing strenuous, and only lasted around a day and a half.

"There wasn't much … hassle," he said.

Now, the fraternity is taking precautions to keep their house bedbug-free. Jagadich said the members of Phi Delta Theta are making an effort to keep all rooms tidy and neat. There will be another test at the end of the month to make sure the pests haven't returned to the house, he said.

All UNL sororities contacted declined to comment for this story.

Although each house is responsible for its own precautions, Schwartzkopf said Greek Affairs is offering information for adult and student leaders within each organization.

"A lot of the things Housing has learned we've shared with greek chapters," Schwartzkopf said.

Greek Affairs has also planned an informational meeting for corporation boards and students wanting to learn more about how to defend their greek houses from infestations. The meeting will be Feb. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Nebraska Union.

juliapeterson@Dailynebraskan.com