Eight of the nine Mansfield/Richland County Public Library locations have received an “all clear of bed bugs” from Hahn Pest Management. Three locations – Bellville, Butler and Lexington Branches – were inspected two weeks ago. Three more locations – Madison, Lucas and Ontario Branches – were inspected last week, and Plymouth was inspected Monday. No evidence of bed bugs was found.
Last year a library employee found a bed bug on a book that had been returned to the main library. No other evidence of bedbugs could be found, but as a precaution the library arranged for a bedbug sniffing dog to screen the facility and the library purchased a high-heat treatment device which is effective in exterminating bedbugs on objects such as books and furniture.
On January 23, Ollie, the bedbug sniffing dog detected the scent of bedbugs in two separate locations within the library, one in the adult magazine department, and also in the nonfiction section of the children’s department.
Detection of the scent does not mean bedbugs were either present in the area or had been prior, the scent could also come from a library visitor who had come into contact with bedbugs, but not carried any to the location. The library heat treated items from the possibly affected areas and contacted the Health Department as well as an exterminator.
According to Matt Work, Mansfield/Richland County Health Department Director of Environmental Health, the library followed the recommended course of action.
“The best thing you can do is not panic and call in a qualified exterminator,” said Work, “The worst outcomes we’ve seen with bedbugs are when people try to deal with the problem themselves.”
The Main Library was re-inspected Thursday, February 20. All areas where traces of bed bugs were found two weeks ago were clear of any evidence. In addition to those areas within the Main Library, other library buildings were also inspected on Thursday.
No evidence of bed bugs was found at the Friends of the Library Evergreen Book Shop, the Communications Office and the Library Outreach Office, all located on the corner of Third and Walnut Streets.
The remaining branch location will be inspected this week, the Crestview Branch will be inspected on the Feb. 26. The Main Library will be inspected again in two weeks.
In the future, all library locations will be inspected by Hahn Pest Management on a regular basis.
The library has removed most of it’s plush furnishings, replacing them with wooden chairs, vinyl chairs were kept after treatment. In time the library may purchase replacement furnishings that are vinyl rather than fabric, but for now wood furnishings stand in place of the upholstered ones.
Eric McWhorter, owner of Hahn Pest Management, was impressed with the Library’s swift and thorough response. “I applaud the library for being upfront with everyone about this. People can feel safe bringing their family to the library, they’re doing the right thing.”
Bedbugs have become an increasing problem over recent years, but both Work and McWhorter agreed that there is a great deal that remains misunderstood about the insects.
“Bed bugs are everywhere, any place that the public meets or sits, bed bugs could be discovered. Doctors offices, homes, apartments, anyplace. This is not a problem exclusive to the library,” said McWhorter. As alarming as that may sound, it’s important to understand what it really means.
Just because bed bugs are discovered in a place that doesn’t mean the place is dirty or poorly cared for, it simply means people congregate and likely sit for a few minutes when they are there. The way that they travel is one of the things people often misunderstand.
“Think of them like hitchhikers,” said Work. Bed bugs wait for a person or object to be still and then climb on and “hitch a ride” to wherever they next rest. They don’t jump like fleas, nor do they scurry about like roaches, and they aren’t dangerous. Bed bugs do not carry disease; technically they are a nuisance insect. The common housefly poses more of a risk to your health.
The devastating impact of bed bugs is typically financial, and occasionally psychological. Eradication costs begin at about $600 and can become highly costly depending on the particulars of the infestation. Additionally, the fear of the bugs can be emotionally taxing and stressful.
In some cases predatory businesses prey upon those fears. Both Work and McWhorter cautioned that misinformation abounds online and elsewhere so be sure to seek out qualified sources for information.
“There is a lot of misinformation about bed bugs. Not everything online is true. Go to the health department website and major universities like Ohio State,” said McWhorter.
The Mansfield/Richland County Health Department has comprehensive factual information about bed bugs available on their website.
If you are concerned that you may have bed bugs in your home or business call a professional, do not attempt to treat the area and do not move any furnishings or other possibly affected items. Moving furnishings tends to spread the insects to other areas of the home. And never put infected furniture on the curb because an unassuming passer-by may then take the item and the bed bugs into their home.
“I applaud the library for being upfront with everyone about this. People can feel safe bringing their family to the library, they’re doing the right thing,” said Eric McWhorter of Hahn Pest Management.
