City buildings have ‘big problem’ with bed bugs

CTV Toronto Published Wednesday, June 26, 2013 5:45PM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, June 26, 2013 6:07PM EDT

Fire stations, community centres, even employment offices are among dozens of city buildings that have battled bed bugs in recent years according to documents obtained by CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson.

The problem is so bad, in fact, that entire buildings have been sprayed, others have been treated on multiple occasions and a pest-control company even urged the city to throw out furniture, in one case.

In an internal memo from a meeting of custodial supervisors in 2011, the city says there is a big problem at various city building locations with bed bugs.

Requests are received daily regarding bed bugs infestation."

At the time, the custodial unit had encountered over 100 request (sic) with bed bug problems.

Many of buildings have had reoccurring issues over the last few years like the Lawrence Square Employment Office, where people go to look for work.

Others infestations are seemingly unlikely like the 11 police stations that had to be sprayed. The records indicate that the bugs were "brought in by a prisoner," in some cases.

An April 2012 email exchange illustrates the concern about bed bugs at police stations.

After finding bed bugs on a child who had been lying on a front reception couch at the Toronto Police Services 31 division, records show that exterminators urged the city to throw away lobby furniture.

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City buildings have 'big problem' with bed bugs