Alden Library proactively controls for pests. Using a canine inspection team, the entire building is swept as a matter of precaution against bed bugs twice a year. If the canine team identifies an area of potential concern, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) staff conduct a thorough inspection. While canine inspection can be extremely effective at finding positive cases, there will occasionally be false positive alerts. Treatment is quickly and aggressively staged as a standard response to the canine alert regardless of results of the EHS inspection. To date, no physical evidence of bed bugs has been found by EHS staff or the contractors who have applied treatment following a canine inspection in Alden Library.
Bed bugs are not known to carry diseases. The best way to avoid a bed bug infestation is to regularly conduct inspections. For more information, visit A bout Bed Bugs (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or contact Chad Keller (EHS) kellerc@ohio.edu or Janet Hulm (Library) hulm@ohio.edu