Bedbugs force Lakewood library to close for cleaning

LAKEWOOD — The township's branch of the Ocean County Library was closed for cleaning after staff discovered bedbugs in a book drop off area outside the library.

The branch, located at 301 Lexington Ave., was closed at 1 p.m. Wednesday and will remain closed through Thursday, library officials announced.

"We are assessing a situation related to the discovery of bedbugs in the book drops outside the Branch,” library Director Susan Quinn said in a statement.

Bedbugs are parasitic reddish brown insects that feed on blood, according to the Mayo Clinic. Though they do not typically carry disease, they can cause skin and allergic reactions in sensitive people such as itching, blisters and hives, according to the clinic.

Bedbugs are more commonly found in places where different people come to sleep over time, such as nursing homes, hotels or homeless shelters, according to the Mayo Clinic. Because they are as small as an apple seed, the insects can easily hide in beds, furniture, luggage, bed frames and other objects near sleeping areas.

The Lakewood library is scheduled to reopen Friday morning, following a deep cleaning, library staff said.

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Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers Brick, Barnegat and Lacey townships as well as the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than a decade. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Lakewood NJ library closed for cleaning for bedbug discovery