We Frequently Solve Bed Bug Problems for Libraries

Who knew that bed bugs are really book worms that love libraries? We did. Bell Environmental has worked with many libraries in our region to detect and treat bed bug issues. Our canine teams regularly inspect regional libraries for the presence of bed bugs .  We use our exclusive InstantFreeze program to treat issues on site, and prevent libraries from having to close for even a minute.  Our carbon dioxide freezing method is safe, thorough, and non-toxic so we eliminate your bugs without damaging libraries’ possessions.  We treat all parts of your library- including the desks, chairs, bookshelves, computers, and books that can become infested with bed bugs. Our thorough and proactive approach prevent problems from overtaking your institution and affecting your reputation.

How vulnerable are libraries to bed bugs? There have been a number of individual news articles about bed bugs appearing in New York City’s and other libraries nationwide . These bed bug encounters vary in their source of infestation, locations within the building, and degree of the infestation:

• In Taylor, Mich., 200 bed bugs were found in the computer area, leading the library to close for treatment.
• In Longmont, Colo., bed bugs were found on a number of chairs throughout the library.
• A Pottsville, Penn. library discovered bed bugs hiding in chairs in its reference department.
• A Middleton, Conn. library traced a bed bug issue to an infested DVD case that was being returned.
• In a Wichita, Kan library branch, bed bugs were found on the undersides of chairs in two separate rooms.
• A Hamden, Conn., library also traced bed bugs to books that were returned in August.
• The St. Clair County Library in Michigan received a package of returned items that included bed bugs.

Considering the number of sightings in libraries in recent months, it’s not a matter of if a facility will get bed bugs, it’s a matter of when. Those that take lightly the challenge bed bugs represent and the issues they cause will have bigger problems when bed bugs strike.

Rarely is it a library’s fault that bed bugs were introduced into a building. These insects are brought in by patrons or staff in their bags, borrowed books, or personal items. Unless bed bugs are caught soon after hitching a ride into a library, it is quite possible that these bugs will make the facility their new home.

A New York Times article pointed out that bed bugs like to live in the spines of books and the bugs will crawl into the bestselling books that are left on the nightstands of bed bug victims, or from these same books into others’ homes. The piece struck a nerve and was widely circulated via email and on Twitter and brought a lot of (unwanted) attention to libraries. The fact that many people settle in for long periods of time at library reading tables provides these wingless insects significant opportunities to feed. In addition to bed bugs making themselves at home in these libraries, everyone who enters the facility – including staff and visitors – runs the risk of bed bugs hitchhiking home with them.

Contact Bell Environmental today at 877-376-1775 to discuss how we can provide bed bug detection and solutions for your library.