Bed Bugs Found in Chair at Fairfield Public Library

Despite the recent discovery of “evidence” of bed bugs found on a chair at the Fairfield Public Library, the library’s director assures there is no “infestation at all,” according to the Connecticut Post.

Library Director Karen Ronald told Genevieve Reilly of the Connecticut Post that the chair was removed from the public area and chemically cleaned and the surrounding area was also chemically treated.

Library officials have also been in contact with the Fairfield Public Health Department regarding the issue, according to the Post.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency classifies bed bugs as public health pests, according to its website. Bed bugs fit into a category of blood-sucking ectoparasites (external parasites) similar to head lice. Bed bugs, like head lice, feed on the blood of humans, causing itchy bites and generally irritating their human hosts, but are not believed to transmit disease, according to the site.

According to the EPA, there is no need to throw out things that had bed bugs (in fact it’s the Bed Bug Tip of the Month) and that most items can be saved. Read more about bed bugs, and how to find them and get rid of them, at the EPA site here.

Read the full story at the Connecticut Post here.

Photo credit: CDC/ CDC-DPDx; Blaine Mathison (via the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website) - This image depicts a view from above of an adult, Cimex lectularius bed bug. Adult bed bugs are on average 5 mm long and have an oval-shaped and flattened body.