Bed Bugs Close Michigan Library

Janay Rickwalder

Most people have become accustomed to checking their hotel rooms for bed bugs – but is that vigilance parlaying to libraries? According to a December New York Times  article, "Bed bugs have discovered a new way to hitchhike in and out of beds. Tiny bed bugs and their eggs can hide in the spines of hardcover books."

This situation has become a reality for multiple libraries across the country, and now a Michigan  library  has also fallen victim to this blood-sucking pest. Last week, bed bugs were found at two branches of the Kalamazoo Public Library, which will remain closed for treatment in the coming days.

Pest experts encourage patrons to keep an eye out for bed bugs when borrowing books because they are excellent hitchhikers and are easily transported. If a bed bug infestation is suspected, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommends contacting a licensed pest professional to thoroughly inspect and effectively treat the problem.