Throughout Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area, there has been an increased presence of bed bugs in both public and private spaces. These include hotels, nursing homes, hospitals, public housing, apartment complexes, movie theatres and other large spaces where people congregate.
It should be noted that according to the Region of Durham Health Department, that while Bed Bugs are a significant social problem, they do not transmit disease to humans and are therefore, not a health hazard.
In partnership with the Region of Durham Health Department, the Oshawa Public Libraries developed a Bed Bug Protocol which outlines our procedure for bed bug prevention, identification and treatment this year. This protocol is available to the public on our website. As part of this Protocol, the Library brings in a specially trained Bed Bug sniffer dog. The dog and our professional exterminator inspected all four branches of the Library in October 2012. Localized areas with individual bed bugs were found, and these areas were immediately treated. Details of these findings are available on the Library website.
The Oshawa Public Libraries received a report of a bed bug sighting at the McLaughlin Branch on November 15th, 2012. The area was sealed, exterminators called in. The room was steam cleaned and an environmentally safe spray residue applied to shelving, furniture and other surfaces. The room remained sealed and was then re-checked. No further evidence was found of bed bugs. This room was re-opened to the public on November 22nd, 2012.
All customers and staff have a role to play in controlling bed bugs in our community. When visiting public places, including libraries, keep bags and other personal items off the floor and refrain from wearing clothing that might drag across carpeted areas. In the event that you discover a bed bug or eggs in a library item, place the item in a Ziploc type bag and return it directly to a staff person - not a drop box. Also, when visiting the library, customers are asked to alert staff if there is a sighting.
The Oshawa Public Libraries' current bedbug inspection reports are provided below.
