Starting college is an exciting time, but whether moving into campus student accommodation or a shared house, it can be a big adjustment when it comes to managing your own space.
This includes staying on top of hygiene and keeping unwanted pests at bay, both of which are especially important with the traditionally colder, wetter autumn and winter months on the horizon. Rentokil Pest Control and Initial Hygiene have the following tips on hygiene in shared spaces and how to avoid pests.
Shared accommodation and events such as Freshers’ Week, with lots of people coming together indoors, can provide the perfect conditions for viruses to spread from one person to another. So how can you enjoy the fun of such events and also hopefully avoid getting sick?
Make handwashing a priority
With approximately 80 per cent of diseases transmitted through poor hand hygiene and contact with contaminated surfaces, the first step in preventing the spread of illnesses is washing your hands thoroughly and often. Remember to use soap, wash for a duration of 20 to 25 seconds, thoroughly rinse and dry your hands, and consider using hand sanitiser as an additional precaution.
Sanitise shared surfaces
Clean and disinfect surfaces that are regularly touched by multiple hands or objects to reduce cross-contamination risks.
Avoid sharing items
Towels, cutlery, cups, plates, and kitchen utensils, among others.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
If it is necessary to touch your eyes, nose and mouth, then wash your hands after.
If you become ill
Stay away from other people as much as possible for the duration of your symptoms and for another 24 hours after any fever, should you experience one.
Pack the essentials
A small bottle of hand sanitiser to carry in your bag or jacket pocket on a night out, and antibacterial wipes or a spray for a quick wipe of shared surfaces like door handles and kitchen counters is advisable.
Many illnesses that spread in shared accommodation, like norovirus, which causes sickness and diarrhoea, are often passed on through poor hand hygiene, and prevention starts with good habits.
Two pests that students should be aware of are bed bugs and silverfish. Rentokil’s data shows that reports of bed bugs in Ireland rose by 16 per cent between 2024 and 2025. These pests are elusive and expert hitchhikers, making their way to new places on luggage, clothing, and other personal items.
Students are advised to check for the presence of dark stains on mattresses and to be cautious of any unpleasant, sweet, sickly scents in a room, to inspect bedding for small dark blood spots, as well as checking key areas including bed frames, mattresses and wardrobes for shed exoskeletons, or even live bugs. If an infestation is suspected, then report it immediately to avoid it spreading further.
Silverfish in Damp Student Homes
Silverfish are another nuisance pest students may encounter. These small, silver-grey insects are typically found in damp, dark areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. While not harmful to health, they feed on starchy materials and can damage books, photographs, clothes, and other household items.
To prevent silverfish, keep your accommodation clean and vacuum regularly, store food in sealed containers, use fans or dehumidifiers to reduce humidity and fix leaks and seal cracks in walls or skirting boards.
Colm Moore, Regional Technical Manager at Rentokil Initial, Ireland, said, “College accommodation can be the perfect environment for both germs and pests to spread, particularly during the colder months when damp, condensation, and shared living conditions become more of a challenge. By adopting some simple hygiene and pest prevention habits, students can reduce the risk of illness and unwanted pests and enjoy a healthier start to college life.”
