Are Bed Bugs In Libraries An Odd Occurrence? Part 1 Of 2

New Jersey pest control professionals are called upon by New Jersey home and business owners to treat bed bug infestations that are both big and small.  It’s hard to believe that only a few short years ago that bed bugs were not even on people’s radar, yet now these bloodsucking parasites can be found in most anyplace that humans frequent.  It’s even harder to believe that these nasty little creatures were nearly wiped off of America’s landscape completely until 1972 with the help of DDT.  Slowly but surely, they have crept back into American homes.

Recently we have been seeing an increase in reports of bed bug infestations at public and college libraries throughout the United States.  In each case, the reported infestation is handled differently.

What I always find interesting about reading reports about a library that has bed bugs is the often quick response to the outbreak that is issued by a library spokesperson.  More times than not, the sighting of bed bugs in a library is downplayed and the building is quickly deemed “clean” by a spokesperson.  The “clean” statement is usually issued after one treatment, or after the bed bug infested furniture has been removed from the building.

Often times there will be an “expert” or “official” that claims that libraries are not suitable for bed bug harborage.  That is untrue actually, since bed bugs have repeatedly been found in libraries across the United States.  Many times bed bugs are found in upholstered furniture within the library setting.  Just like in a home, couches and chairs, do provide good harborage and breeding grounds for bed bugs.  These comfy chairs attract readers who may or may not discover that they are on the dinner plate for the bed bugs that have taken up residence in the furniture.

Please check back Friday for the conclusion.