Bedbugs are back with a recent infestation in the library, specifically in the “comfy” chairs on the lower level of the Dome.
“Twenty-seven chairs from the lower level of the dome were removed,” Mark Lester, director, Access, Administrative Operations and Communication of Library and Information Access, said. “We resolved the problem in the best way we could think of.”
Earlier this semester, The Daily Aztec investigated reports of bedbugs in the dorms.
Several administrators in the Office of Housing Administration denied there was a problem, but refused to allow reporters to speak with residence hall coordinators or resident advisers. When The Daily Aztec requested records of recent pest control services, the phone calls were never returned.
However, administrators in the library were willing to discuss the bedbug infestation and steps they have taken to remedy the problem.
“We have removed the chairs, but some of the chairs were in need of replacement anyway, so now students will see fewer of them in the lower level of the Dome for the time being,” Lester said.
Some of the chairs have already been replaced, although no bugs were found on them, and Lester said he hopes they all will be completely replaced by the end of the fiscal year.
Bedbugs, despite their cute-sounding name, are actually a growing problem and do pose a significant health risk, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
“Bedbugs are increasingly becoming a problem within residences of all kinds, including homes, apartments, hotels, cruise ships, dormitories and shelters,” according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
Bedbugs feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including humans. They are wingless, and only about a quarter of an inch in length.
Their main threat is that when they do bite, they leave both a small mark and some of their saliva on the skin, which contains whatever previous infections they may have procured from previously bitten people or animals.
Appropriate measures have been taken and planned for the future, Lester said. Tasks of the cleaning and regular checks in the near future to ensure no subsequent bedbug incursions occur are being taken by John Eaddy, the chief of custodial services.
“We have done everything possible to ensure the problem is resolved,” Lester said. “John Eaddy will be heading efforts to do regular checks to make sure there will not be any more.”
6 comments
"While feeding, they inject a tiny amount of their saliva into the skin" - from a harvard study (probably the one mentioned in the article?). Also found much more useful information that seems to point to the same reasoning in this article. I guess I just don't see why people complain about fairly easy to validate information...