Kzoo library to get bed bug treatments

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - Though a Tuesday morning search didn't reveal any live bugs in the Kalamazoo Public School Library's Washington Square branch, it did reveal some dead bed bugs.

Monday, library spokesperson Farrell Howe confirmed to 24 Hour News 8 that a couple of books returned through the Washington Square branch's drop box contained bed bugs. They were quarantined -- sealed up in plastic bags -- and then destroyed.

Though no live bugs were found upon having bed bug-sniffing dogs search for the critters Tuesday morning, some dead bed bugs were discovered.

As a result, the library is taking extra precautions. Bed bugs are good at hiding, so the library will get bed bug treatments in the coming days, according to Howe.

The library will be open in a few days, Howe said.

Libraries have reported problems with bed bugs before. Howe said library staff began regular bed bugs checks as an extra precaution when bed bugs began receiving a lot of media attention.

"It's a logical place for them to go and hide. It's dry, it's clean, it's dark and it's safe, and then the book may come back to the library, and that's where it's incumbent on us to make sure that we're checking on those and make sure that they're not getting into the library itself and contaminate the rest of the books," Howe told 24 Hour News 8 Monday.