Bed Bug Closes Menlo Park Library

The Menlo Park Library will be closed Wednesday after the Tuesday discovery of a bed bug in the public seating area.

City Manager Alex McIntyre ordered the library be closed until a pest control crew is able to inspect, treat and clean the library for any possible remaining bed bugs found in the library, city officials said.

Library staff immediately removed the bed bug and an affected chair after the discovery of the bed bug.

The library, located at 800 Alma St., could reopen as early as 10 a.m. Thursday morning.

Following the treatment for bed bugs, the building will be ventilated, and a bed bug-sniffing dog will be brought in to evaluate the facility.

Bed bugs are not considered a public health hazard, because they are not known to spread disease, according to city officials. Library staff will also receive bed bug awareness and identification training for ongoing monitoring and to help prevent future occurrences.

The Belle Haven Branch Library at 413 Ivy Drive will remain open Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

More information about preventing and managing bed bugs is available from the San Mateo County Health System.

See Also:

• Bed Bugs Force Closure of North Branch of Berkeley Library
• Bed Bugs Force Closure of Palo Alto Library

--Bay City News Service, photo via Wiki Commons