LIBRARIES: Three branches in West Seattle closed through weekend after bedbug sightings

| Delridge | High Point | West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news | Westwood

3:58 PM: Thanks to Christy for the tip and photo. The High Point and Southwest libraries closed at 2 pm and will be closed all weekend because of what the door sign describes as “a pest issue requiring chemical treatment.” Book drops are closed too. We have an inquiry out to Seattle Public Library headquarters in hopes of finding out more. Back in May, another reader tip led to this report about a similar situation stemming from a bedbug problem at the HP branch.

5:04 PM: As a reader comments below, Delridge is now closed too, and that’s reflected in the reply we just received from SPL spokesperson Laura Gentry:

We have temporarily closed the Delridge, High Point and Southwest branches due to bedbug sightings by staff at these three locations in the last 24 hours.

We are taking aggressive steps to remediate the issue; and unfortunately, that means keeping the branches closed throughout the weekend. These branches are scheduled to receive treatment early Monday morning, so we are keeping them and their book drops closed until that has occurred and they are cleared for re-entry (about two hours following application).

We are very sorry for the inconvenience this causes our patrons in the Southwest Region of the city, but it is important we act quickly to limit the impacts of this issue by immediately closing these locations, applying treatment, and discarding impacted materials.

We thank our eagle-eyed staff who quickly alert us to anything that might negatively impact patrons, staff, or Library spaces!

They’re not sure yet what time the branches will reopen Monday – likely by early afternoon – we’ll update when we have word.

ADDED SUNDAY: SPL says all three will reopen Monday at noon.

K Wilson July 7, 2023 (4:00 pm)

Bed bugs in the stacks.

Library friend July 7, 2023 (4:09 pm)

Thank you for posting! Unfortunately, this means the Summer of Learning Kick-off Party that was scheduled at the Southwest Library is cancelled :( https://www.spl.org/event-calendar?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D167095786

Sam July 7, 2023 (4:34 pm)

Did they find more, or is this just precautionary? I was just there yesterday and would have avoided going in if I had known.

Sam July 7, 2023 (5:28 pm)

Does anyone know where in the building they were found?

Snoopy July 7, 2023 (4:54 pm)

Presumably the holds will also get extended automatically…

GT July 7, 2023 (8:47 pm)

Just pause your hold.

LT July 7, 2023 (4:57 pm)

It’s up to three branches now. The SPL website says Delridge is also affected

WSB July 7, 2023 (5:08 pm)

Thanks – SPL has acknowledged that and we’ve posted their reply above. All three will be closed part of Monday too.

m July 7, 2023 (5:42 pm)

Yikes! I took a book out of the Southwest branch yesterday. 😳

Ms. Picky July 7, 2023 (5:44 pm)

May be a stupid question: Is it likely if I picked a book up today that it might have bedbugs in it?

Ew bedbugs July 7, 2023 (6:35 pm)

I’d zip that think into a ziplock and leave it outside in a black trashbag so it heats up. Get it out of your house asap.
Ly July 7, 2023 (7:05 pm)

If you have a flamethrower like Lt. Ripley did in Aliens that would be good to use on the book as well. J/k, I’m jk.
bolo July 7, 2023 (7:12 pm)

Common Sense: Bedbugs are large enough to see if you are able to see well enough to read a book. Take it outside in good light, open it up, inspect to your satisfaction.
WS Resident July 7, 2023 (8:51 pm)

Probably not the book, but maybe a bag, purse etc. Doubtful, however.

Pub lib July 7, 2023 (6:21 pm)

Worked in a public library in Ohio with many bed bug issues. Bugs on books are worse in hotter weather. The best way to spot bed bugs on books is by their poop. It shows up as little black dots on the inside cover or outer spines of books. Sometimes the dots are a little bit rounded on top, not flat. Their poo is like oxygenated blood, so if you add water to a Q tip and dab the spots they’d turn red. If you find what you suspect could be bugs of any kind, bag them in a gallon zip lock and let the library know.

Sue T. July 7, 2023 (6:39 pm)

Slightly off topic, but has WSB heard anything about air conditioning coming to the Admiral branch? I was there today and it appears that some multi-panel windows have been replaced with single panel windows without open-close handles. Is that a sign of getting ready for a central air system that will require keeping the windows shut?

Cosmo Topper July 7, 2023 (7:33 pm)

I spoke with a librarian there not too long ago on a day when both front doors were open as well as the row of windows on the opposite side of the building. I was told that the relatively recent work done on many windows at the West Seattle branch had rendered them inoperable. My understanding is that this is a case of botched work rather than a plan to move toward a sealed interior.

KJS July 7, 2023 (7:55 pm)

Oh no. I just picked up 13 books from the Southwest Library today.

Tom July 7, 2023 (8:09 pm)

Mark Rober did a video on bed bugs. If you can, tell them to dust diatomaceous earth around edges of the building and bookcases. Basically near any vertical surface. It’s one of the most effective and inexpensive way to treat them and continue preventing infestations.
https://youtu.be/2JAOTJxYqh8

1994 July 7, 2023 (9:42 pm)

Thank you Tom for the link to the informative youtube. I learned some new things!! The diatomaceous earth treatment is fascinating!! I hope the library gives that application a thumbs up and uses it.

Andros July 8, 2023 (3:59 am)

Also, I have a big appreciation for diatoms as a creature and an art form. Watch the video attached to this story. It’s amazing. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/secretive-victorian-artists-made-these-intricate-patterns-out-of-algae-180952720/

anonyme July 9, 2023 (6:21 am)

Beautiful.

anonyme July 8, 2023 (4:52 am)

I checked out a book from the Southwest Library several years ago that had a squished bedbug in it. This is not a new occurrence, so the infestations must be pretty bad to warrant closures.

LAM July 8, 2023 (1:19 pm)

3 simultaneous outbreaks. Maybe it’s just warm weather, but a month or so ago, all the branches had their return slots blocked off for a while with no explanation. I’m not a conspiracy person at all but it does make me wonder if there is something going on against our libraries? What a time we live in that it even occurs to me to consider this!

Mjb July 8, 2023 (6:34 pm)

This is horrifying. I’m grateful for the notification. I’ve had experience with bedbugs and it is a nightmare that I wish on nobody. I think this seals thd deal for me on using downloads only.

Mb July 8, 2023 (6:35 pm)

This is horrifying. I’m grateful for the notification. I’ve had experience with bedbugs and it is a nightmare that I wish on nobody. I think this seals thd deal for me on using downloads only.

Pdavis July 8, 2023 (10:24 pm)

Anything you think has bedbugs you have two choices: ‘freeze them or fry them’‘ Freeze them’ means: put the item in a Ziploc baggie and put it in the freezer for quite a few days.‘Fry them’ meansput them in a hot dryer for a long time until you burn them up. Obviously clothing is good for the dryer. Shoes and books might need the freezer. Pass this information along!

Margaret Smith July 9, 2023 (8:44 am)

Put your stuff in the dryer for 20 minutes at 120 degrees and that will do it.

From pfharris.com
They can also be put in a dryer on high heat (104-122 degrees Fahrenheit) for 30 minutes. The length of time is important because it takes time for a large bundle of clothing to reach the correct temperature in the middle. They also found that dry cleaning also works to kill all stages of bed bugs. If the infected items cannot be laundered, there are solar options. While many people believe that putting items outside in the sun for a few hours is enough, that usually is not true. It typically takes a higher heat than what can be achieved naturally. However, sealing items in a clear plastic bag in the sun can get the temperature high enough to be lethal to the bugs.

Janet Brown July 9, 2023 (8:53 am)

For in the freezer, how many days are “quite a few”?Also is SPL investigating other branches? Since books are transferred from one library site to another, this seems to be a good idea. Meanwhile I’m less than excited about picking up my books on hold or browsing library shelves.

Margaret Smith July 9, 2023 (8:53 am)

From pfharris.com…They can also be put in a dryer on high heat (104-122 degrees Fahrenheit) for 30 minutes. The length of time is important because it takes time for a large bundle of clothing to reach the correct temperature…If the infected items cannot be laundered, there are solar options. While many people believe that putting items outside in the sun for a few hours is enough, that usually is not true. It typically takes a higher heat than what can be achieved naturally. However, sealing items in a clear plastic bag in the sun can get the temperature high enough to be lethal to the bugs.

Thom July 9, 2023 (10:04 pm)

Bedbugs reportedly like book binding paste, and conceal themselves in the spines of hard bound books. The UW law library had to freeze the collection to get rid of them. Somebody above metioned their size… they are small, and they look like sea turtles with very fine legs They are easy to kill off and prevent by using “diatomaceous earth” which is moondust made of ancient plankton skeletons. It is ridiculouly absorbent and the little creeps die of dehydration. (it is also non toxic and sold in food grade)..The big boy dryers at coin laudries set on high will cook the little pests.

Sorry, comment time is over.