University of Alberta closing library to treat for bed bugs

A library at the University of Alberta in Edmonton will be closed overnight to be treated for bed bugs.

In a message on Twitter, the university said Rutherford Library will close Wednesday at 9 p.m.

The main floor will remain closed on Thursday.

Rutherford Library staff received an initial report of bed bugs from a student on Sept. 11, which prompted staff to hire a pest management company to investigate. The next day, the company found “an area of concern near the public computer area,” a spokesperson for the U of A said.

READ MORE: Here are Canada’s Top 10 bed bug infested cities 

That area was closed and treated and furniture in that area was removed. The library remained open and the service desk was moved to the second floor.

“It’s business as usual for the library,” Bryan Alary told Global News.

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He said bed bugs have not been found in any other areas of the library or anywhere else on the north campus.

“We have not received reports of bed bugs in any other buildings or facilities on our campuses, however the university is always prepared for the risk,” Alary said.

“Bed bugs are small and reddish-brown, about the size of apple seeds,” Alary said. “Bed bug droppings are reddish-black to black and can look like small dots or a smear.”

The university offered some prevention tips:

• De-clutter: This means throwing away everything you don’t need any more. Don’t throw away your furniture until you talk with a pest control operator who will tell you what items can and can’t be treated.
• Clean: Use a vacuum cleaner and the crevice tool of the vacuum cleaner to vacuum all the possible places bed bugs hide.
• Wash: Wash off any signs of bed bugs as best you can. This will make it easier to see new signs of bed bugs on your next inspection.
• Laundry: The heat of a hot dryer will kill all stages of bed bugs.
• Isolate: Once items have no more bed bugs, keep them away from any bed bugs you know are still in your home.

If you find bed bugs in your clothing or on other personal items, click here for advice from Alberta Health Services.