Monthly Archives: September 2017

Halifax North Memorial Public Library has closed twice in the last week after staff discovered bed bugs on a piece of library furniture and on CDs and DVDs that had been returned.

The Gottingen Street library was closed for spraying last week and again on Thursday morning.

"This is a very rare occurrence for the library but any public space is vulnerable to these types of pests," Terry Gallagher,facilities director atHalifax Public Libraries, toldCBC'sMaritime Noon."They hitchhike very easily on people or other things."

Gallagher said the library has since reopened and professionals found no sign of any bed bugs.

"We've identified that this is not a facility issue, these are things coming to us," he said.

Gallagher said they have a "very rigorousprotocol" when it comes to dealing with insects or pests. He said all staff are trained at detecting various pests and recognizing the signs.

The facilities director at Halifax Public Libraries says all staff are trained at detecting various pests and recognizing the signs. (CBC)

If an insect is found, Gallagher said theprotocol isto trap it using clear tape. It's then sent away to pest control professionals, andif it's a bed bug, the library is then closed and sprayed.

"We're very vigilant on examining materials that come into the library," he said. "We really care. We want to make sure the community is coming in and visiting the library."

Dave Holland, owner ofHolland's Pest Control Services in Halifax, told Maritime Noonit's not uncommon for bed bugs to pop upin public places.

"Any place where there's more people coming or going you have a higher risk of getting bed bugs. So yes, you can pick them up at a mall, you can pick them up on a bus, you can pick them up just about anywhere," he said.

A bed bug is displayed at the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History in Washington. (Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press)

Holland said bed bugs, which are nocturnal, typically bite at night. Once they feed, he said, they tend to hide somewhere"relatively close to their meal" and rest and do so in places like book bindings.

He said if they aren't spotted early on and a pregnant female gets into the picture, it could lead to a public outbreak.

"Sometimes people don't realize they have those bed bugs," he said."About 30 per cent of the population has no effect from a bug bite, so they're the ultimate nemesis when it comes to bugs."

Original post:
Halifax library closed twice in last week after bed bug sightings - CBC.ca

TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2017 /CNW/ -Withthe summer travel seasonin high gear, the country's largest pest control company is warning about an unwelcome visitor that could affect locals and tourists.

Orkin Canada expects this to be a bumper year for bed bugs.The warning comes as the company unveils its first ever list of bed bug cities. The findings by Orkin Canada are based on the number of commercial and residential bed bug treatments carried out by the country's largest pest control provider.

The top ten cities:

Entomologists say having a clean room does not prevent bed bugs; and two bed bugs can lay up to ten eggs in one day. Anyone detecting signs of bed bugs are advised to seek expert advice to prevent widespread infestation.

Tips for homeowners and vacationers:

For more information about bed bug prevention, visit orkincanada.ca

The city rankings were based on all bed bug treatments by Orkin Canada at residential and commercial properties within Canada from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. Download here for the full list of Canada's bed bug cities.

About Orkin CanadaOrkin Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins, Inc. (ROL)isthe country'slargest pest control provider and leader in the development of fast, effective and environmentally responsible pest control solutions.One key program is theHome Pest Protection Programthat prevents and eradicates pest infestations and provides key information about pests.Orkin Canada provides professional services to both residential and commercial clients from coast to coast. For more information, visitwww.orkincanada.ca,like http://www.facebook.com/OrkinCanada or follow@orkincanada.

Read the original:
Toronto is the Capital of Canada for Bed Bugs