City declares library bedbug-free

Dogs detect none of the insects at the downtown facility

PALO ALTO — No bedbugs were found during an inspection of the Downtown Library last week, according to the city.

The library was closed for inspection Friday after the discovery of the pests at the Rinconada Library on Sept. 29 and the Mitchell Park Library on Sept. 23.

The Downtown Library reopened Saturday.

No bedbugs were found during similar inspections of the College Terrace and Children’s libraries. The city used dogs that are specially trained to sniff out the pests to inspect the libraries.

The Rinconada and Mitchell Park libraries were closed briefly for treatment.

The city said the infestation at each facility was limited to a couple of chairs. Both libraries will be reinspected this week.

Bedbugs are small, flat parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of sleeping people and animals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the pests are not known to transmit disease, their bites can cause a serious allergic reaction.

Bedbugs are not an uncommon occurrence at libraries because they can be transported through the sharing of books, and the library shares books throughout the region, according to the city.

Going forward, the city said it plans to use the specially trained dogs to inspect its five libraries.