Exclusive: Bed bugs a persistent problem in several Toronto libraries, documents reveal

The Toronto Public Library has been battling dozens of incidences of bed bugs in several branches in recent years, according to documents obtained by CTV Toronto.

Documents dating back to 2011 and obtained by CTV show city staff have been tackling the pest problem at branches in the downtown core, Scarborough and the Beaches.

At the Queen Saulter branch, located at Queen St. East near Broadview Ave., the critters have been dealt with seven times since 2011. They were found at public computers, the circulation desk and the book drop.

The entire branch had to be treated in March of 2012 after live bed bugs were found in books.

Documents from October stated: Rentokil found bed bugs in various traps during regular inspections, indicating bed bugs are spreading.

The branch was heat-treated the following month, but more bed bugs were found this year -- in January, May and July.

At the Toronto Reference Library, there have been 15 incidents since 2011. Bed bugs were found under computer chairs, at study carrels and in other places.

Last September at Cedarbrae Library, pest control crews fumigated the carpets. Books had to be thrown out.

Records show an infestation was discovered at the Kennedy Eglinton branch in Scarborough, when staff lifted a carpet and found bed bugs on the underpadding.

Late last year a library user at the Beaches branch reported being bitten twice. Chairs in the branch were treated, but later that same week more creepy crawlers were found.

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Exclusive: Bed bugs a persistent problem in several Toronto libraries, documents reveal