Look especially along the spine of the book. You can reduce your risk of bringing bed bugs home from the library by inspecting the books before you check them out. Best sellers that have been checked out frequently and have rested on many bedside tables are riskier than low circulation books. What you read can make a difference, too. If you typically have a pile of books on the floor or table at your bedside, you would be at higher risk of harboring a bed bug infestation than if your library books never leave the family room downstairs. Unfortunately, many of us read in bed, an ideal situation for a bed bug. Your risk of a library-induced bed bug infestation can depend on where and how you read books at home. Some libraries are being proactive, routinely inspecting books, using bed bug-sniffing dogs to check out the stacks, and steam-treating furniture.ĭoes this mean you have to stop going to the library? Not at all the incidence of bed bugs in libraries is still extremely low, and rest assured that your library is well aware of the potential problem. That seems a waste since the bugs can simply be removed, or the books can usually be successfully heat or cold-treated, or fumigated to kill bed bugs. In some cases, libraries have banned individuals that were known to have introduced bed bugs. Bed bugs are later found at computer stations or in stuffed chairs or sofas. These visitors may not even touch a book but can carry bed bugs into the library on their clothing or belongings. Libraries provide a comfortable, climate-controlled place where individuals may spend hours at a time. 2) Libraries are often frequented by homeless people, or those who live in less than ideal housing situations with bed bugs. When the books are returned, a few bed bugs hitch a ride between the covers and are returned to the library as well. Is nothing sacred?īed bugs end up in libraries in two main ways: 1) Books are loaned out to homes that have a bed bug problem. More and more we’re hearing about bed bugs being found in public libraries. One of the last safe comfort zones in our crazy world has been invaded. That’s why state health officials recommend people start their search within 15 to 20 feet of a sleeping area and inspect mattresses, bed frames, nightstands and upholstered furniture.Bed Bugs in Library Books! What Next? By Chris Williams on March 5, 2013. True to their name, the majority of bedbug infestations happen on or near beds, according to an informal study referenced in the state report. Those concerned about bedbugs can check visitor reports on The Bedbug Registry. Since bedbugs are hitchhikers, hotels, airports and popular places for travelers are havens for the pest. 47.īaltimore remained in the top spot for most bedbug reports to Orkin, followed by Washington, D.C. 20 on the list, and Lansing graced the list for the first time, coming in at 32. This year, Detroit ranked eighth on Orkin’s list of cities with the most bedbug complaints. That, paired with an uptick in travelers, has created the perfect recipe for the rapid spread of infestations, according to the health department. In this Maphoto, a bedbug is displayed at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington. The library also heat-treats furniture and other items flagged by staff, but typically uses cleaning solutions that kill bedbugs on furniture and surfaces to prevent any possible spread of the pest. Any that contain dead bedbugs are thrown out and replaced by the library. Library workers say the books are allowed to gradually cool down before they are inspected again. If we have a smaller number of carts we might run it for a shorter amount of time.” So obviously if we have a larger number of carts, we’re going to run it longer. “Depending on the amount of time we have to heat, might dictate the number that are put in the tent because we have to ensure that the core temperature hits 122 (degrees). “You can easily fit six carts in,” Vander Heide said of the tent at the main library. The books remain in the tent for hours overnight until their core temperature exceeds 122 degrees - the threshold for killing bedbugs and their eggs. Workers put all returned material on carts that are rolled into a large bedbug heat-treating tent.
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