Bed Bugs: What to know
UC Riverside takes a proactive approach in addressing the issue of all types of household pests, including bed bugs. It is our goal to maintain the highest quality living environment for our residents. Housing Services has no prior knowledge of a bed bug infestation or has not professionally treated the room for bed bugs. Any Resident who suspects they may have bed bugs in their room is required to notify their Resident Services Office to report the problem immediately. An inspection will be scheduled, and treatment will be done if bed bugs are present. Residents may be temporarily transferred to another space while their room is being treated and re-inspected. Residents will be asked to seal all bedding, clothing, and drapes/curtains in plastic bags. This helps prevent bed bugs from spreading to other spaces. Sheets, pillows, and clothes can be washed in soap and hot water. Items that cannot be washed should be dried in the dryer at a high temperature for at least 30 minutes. Residents will leave all furniture and approved belongings in the room for treatment while they are relocated. Resident-owned belongings that are found to have bed bugs must be permanently removed and re-inspected by a trained professional before being returned to the room.
- Appearance: Bed bugs have six legs. Adult bed bugs have flat bodies about 1/4" of an inch in length. Their color can vary from red to brown to copper. Young bed bugs are very small. Their bodies are about 1/16" of an inch in length. They have almost no color. When a bed bug feeds, its body swells, may lengthen, and can become bright red, sometimes making it appear to be a different insect. Bed bugs do not fly. They can either crawl or be carried from place to place on objects, people, or animals. Bed bugs can be hard to find and identify because they are tiny and try to stay hidden.
- Life Cycle and Reproduction: An average bed bug lives for about 10 months. Female bed bugs lay one to five eggs per day. Bed bugs grow to full adulthood in about 21 days. Bed bugs can survive for months without feeding.
- Bed Bug Bites: Because bed bugs usually feed at night, most people are bitten in their sleep and do not realize they were bitten. A person's reaction to insect bites is an immune response, and so it varies from person to person. Sometimes, the red welts caused by the bites will not be noticed until many days after a person was bitten, if at all.
- Common Signs and Symptoms of Possible Bed Bug Infestation: Small red to reddish brown fecal spots on mattresses, box springs, bed frames, linens, upholstery, or walls. Molted bed bug skins, white sticky eggs, or empty eggshells. Very heavily infested areas may have a characteristically sweet odor. Red, itchy bite marks, especially on the legs, arms, and other body parts exposed while sleeping, though some people do not show bed bug lesions on their bodies, even though bed bugs may have fed on them.
Is there childcare near my residence?
Yes. The Center for Early Childhood Education is located nearby, offering highly regarded full- and half-day programs to students, staff, faculty and the neighboring community. Children two months to five years old are welcome, and UCR students are eligible for subsidized rates.
Am I allowed to have pets?
No. No pets are allowed at Oban Family Housing, with the exception of service animals, pets in cages (birds and small rodents) and fish in an aquarium (20-gallon maximum). If other pets — dogs, cats, etc. — are discovered in a unit at any time during residency, residents will be asked to remove them and may themselves be subject to legal eviction.
Is parking guaranteed in the Residence Halls?
Due to limited parking availability and to support UCR's sustainability efforts, first-year residents are not allowed to bring a vehicle to campus. We understand that due to certain situations, some first-year students may need a vehicle. Find out more about the first-year resident parking appeal process by visiting the Transportation website.
How can I change things in my Residence Hall Contract once I have already submitted it?
You have the ability to log back into your contract and edit any choices you have already made until approximately June 15. After June 15, or as directed when you log in, you may email Housing Services about the items you would like to change.
Do I have to have a Dining Plan? Can I change it at any time?
Yes and no. All Residence Hall residents must have a Dining Plan as part of their living package. The Dining Plan you select is for the entire academic year. No, you are not allowed to change your dining plan at any time. You may change it during the designated period outlined in your housing contract.
How do I choose a Dining Plan?
You must make your Dining Plan selection as part of your online contract. When choosing a Dining Plan, consider your current eating habits. For instance, if you do not eat breakfast now, you are not likely to eat breakfast with any regularity in the Residence Halls. You may change your dining plan during the designated period outlined in your housing contract, if necessary, by submitting a change at your Resident Services Office
What is the average cost to live in the Residence Halls?
Residence Hall costs differ based on the type of room, community and choice of Dining Plan. Check Rates & Billing for current costs
How much will I need to pay when I submit a contract for the Residence Halls?
Housing Services will not reserve a Residence Hall room for a student until their Residence Hall Contract and First Payment is received. For guaranteed housing, both of these items must be received by May 10. The first regular Residence Hall payment is due by September 1. Consult the payment schedule for specific payment amounts and deadlines
How will I know if I have received a space in the Residence Halls?
All single, first-year freshmen students who meet all Housing deadlines are guaranteed a space in the Residence Halls.
Specific room assignment and move-in information is distributed on September 1. Check your Residence Hall Dashboard for current information