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Exterminators eradicating bed bugs from Racine Library

Posted at 5:00 PM, Sep 15, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-15 19:21:44-04

TheRacine Public Library closed Friday after a bed bug problem, and the library director said the bugs are an issue that they wanted to take care of.

Before the library opens back up, exterminators were doing treatments Friday afternoon.

Bed bugs can be found in any public place where there are a lot of visitors. The bugs were found within the last month, and library officials said bed bug-sniffing dogs roamed the building looking for more and pest control. Expert Alex Blahnik says the canines are very reliable.

"Bed bugs can be found anywhere that people go," Blahnik said.

Blahnik said you may be surprised that bed bugs are everywhere and more common than you think.

"Hotel, grocery stores, theaters, it doesn't matter where," he said.

But Blahnik added there's no need to worry because there are preventive measures people can take, like using mattress covers. As a precaution, it's also always good to keep a flashlight as well.

"Any flashlight will do, you don't need an expensive one to be able to really zoom in and see," Blahnik said.

Racine library officials said they do monthly screen for bed bugs. The library doesn’t know how the bugs got inside as people come and go.

The library is scheduled to be back open Saturday morning.