OSBURN — Local philanthropic group Silver Valley CARES received $2,000 in donations earlier this week to aid those battling pests in their homes.  

When it was announced last week that Silver Hills Elementary School would close Monday due to a potential bed bug outbreak, the situation sent many into panic mode.  

Not because of the inconvenience, not because of anything judgmental, but due to the fear of children spreading the tiny parasitic insects throughout the homes of the Wallace School District.  

Silver Valley CARES watched the drama spill into the community and online and decided to do something about it.  

“The SHES bug situation raised a lot of alarm throughout the community,” SV CARES member Siobhan Curet said. “So we set up the SV CARES Community Pest Control fund. Our goal is to provide seamless assistance to anyone dealing with bed bugs while also protecting their anonymity.”  

On Tuesday, the Silver Valley Fuller Center for Housing and the PK Lions Club each donated $1,000 to the fund. 

According to online contractor service directory Angi, the average cost for an exterminator to treat a home for bed bugs is $2,500.

“We are a mental health resource and advocacy group that takes a holistic approach to how we serve our community,” Curet said. “I can’t imagine the toll an exterminator quote would take on a person’s mental health who has the financial resources to deal with it. Then, imagine you don’t have the financial resources, that would probably feel like a pretty hopeless situation.”  

Curet stressed the group’s desire to maintain anonymity throughout the process. If you or your family are in need of pest control service, reach out to your school’s counselor. If you do not have children in school, call 208-660-9590.

Their website, www.svcares.org, includes a guide to available services in the Silver Valley. People can also donate to the Community Pest Control fund by visiting the site and clicking on the Community Pest Control fund link.