Library reopens; bed bugs at 2nd branch

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - The Kalamazoo Public Library Washington Square branch reopened Friday morning after being successfully treated for bed bugs. But another branch tested positive for the insects.

The Washington Square branch at 1244 Portage St. closed Feb. 8 after bed bugs were found in some returned books.

Griffin Pest Control was contacted, treated the building on Feb. 9 and used bed bug-sniffing dogs on Feb. 11 to search for the insects. No live bed bugs were found but the dogs located dead bugs in various areas of the library. The branch was then cleaned.

The Kalamazoo Public Library contracted Griffin Pest Control to conduct testing at the rest of the library's locations -- Central, Oshtemo, Eastwood and Alma Powell.

Results indicated presence of bed bugs in the Children's Room of the Central location at 315 S. Rose St. So the Children's Room is closed from Feb. 15 through Feb. 19 for treatment.

Bed bugs have become a growing problem for all public buildings including hotels, schools, hospitals, libraries and any other building where the public frequents in large numbers.

Bed bugs can hide in items like jackets, backpacks and other soft materials, and be brought into any location and create a new case of infestation. As a result, many public buildings have added bed bug detection and treatment as part of their regular building maintenance procedures.

A library is a less than ideal place for bed bugs to flourish. They are night feeders, prefer sleeping, human or animal hosts to feed from, according to a news release. Since libraries close at night, bed bugs are deprived of the nourishment they need to survive. Bed bugs are typically brought in to the library on human hosts entering the building or in books that are kept on or near the bed of an infected home.

The Kalamazoo Public Library has established new policies to its current building maintenance program to minimize the risk of infestation going forward.

Each branch location will continue an inspection process on book returns. Materials found to be contaminated will be quarantined immediately and disposed of or treated. Bed bug inspections by a pest control company will be conducted regularly at each location.

Future instances of bed bug detection will be dealt with on an individual basis, and will not necessarily require branch closure. The Kalamazoo Public Library will consult with pest control professionals in determining the appropriate course of action.

Each branch will strongly enforce current library conduct rules, which forbids any patron or staff member from bringing in any large bags or other large items, including but not limited to suitcases, duffle bags, large backpacks, bedrolls, blankets, and plastic garbage bags. Diaper bags and any bags measuring 10" x 16" x 24" or smaller are permitted.

If you are concerned about carrying bed bugs from any public space into your home, the following steps are recommended:

• Upon returning home, remove all clothing and put it into your dryer at a high heat for at least 30 minutes, then put into the washing machine.
• Do not bring any large bags into public spaces.
• Do not leave bags or jackets on the floor or draped over soft furniture.
• Keep books sealed in a plastic zip-lock bag when not in use, and do not keep books near bedding, beds or soft furniture.
• If you do find items such as books to contain evidence of bed bugs, immediately seal them in a plastic zip-lock bag and notify the establishment they were received from.
• If you are concerned about bed bugs in your home, contact a qualified pest control company for advice and assistance.

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Online:

For more information about bed bugs and how to treat them, visit: http://tinyurl.com/MIbedbugs or http://tinyurl.com/MDCH-Bedbugs