WATERBURY, Conn. -- Waterbury parents are being urged to check their children after officials said a student went to school with bed bugs.

School officials sent a letter home to parents of students at Washington Elementary School Wednesday informing them that the student had brought the critters to class.

Beg bugs are small, wingless insects that feed solely on blood. They are the size of a poppy seed and range in color from white to dark red. Once an area is infected with the bugs, they are difficult to get rid of.

School officials told parents that they removed, sanitized and returned the affected clothing.

Health officials said that bed bugs can be removed from clothing by putting them in the dryer for two cycles.