After receiving a report on Oct. 6 of a potential bedbug in a room at Biddeford Middle School, the district took action, immediately contacting pest control companies to conduct a professional investigation. Ehrlich Pest Control treated the building on Oct. 6 to prevent any possible spread.

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, the district said “no (bedbugs) were found in the space.”

The statement goes on to say that the official pest control report clearly states “no activity” after a thorough investigation.

In response to parents who may have been upset with the short notice from the school before the district proceeded with pest control treatment, the district said the choice was “common sense.”

“When you have a company available and willing to treat schools — which is extremely rare, you cannot afford to wait, or you may lose the opportunity entirely,” the statement read.

The district also addressed the potential causes of a bedbug outbreak at a school, noting that while outbreaks in schools are “extremely rare,” they almost always begin at home.

“(Bedbugs) travel to school on clothing, backpacks, and personal belongings,” the district wrote.

According to the district’s statement, in the future, Biddeford schools are committed to handling situations like these with sensitivity and discretion while protecting the health and safety of the entire school community.