Following a report of possible bed bugs in the building, the Cube at the Morgan Library has been closed off since Aug. 24, according to University officials.

An exterminator was called to evaluate the area after officials received a report and found the bugs were limited to one corner of the building, Dell Rae Ciaravola, public safety and risk communications manager, and David Ramsay, library director of strategic relationships, wrote in an email to The Collegian.

There have been no other reports of bed bugs concerning the main library or other University buildings, they wrote.

The main library will remain open for regular hours as the Cube is closed for treatment.


In addition to an exterminator treating the area, staff will steam the furniture and all areas of the building, officials wrote. Steaming produces hot temperatures which are known to kill the bugs in all stages of development, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The building and furniture will be heated and steam cleaned at least twice during the week, and officials will continue to check the building to ensure these strategies mitigate the issue before reopening later this week, officials wrote.

Bed bugs are a public health pest, according to the EPA. Though they will bite humans, there are no known cases of them transmitting diseases.

Bed bugs are also experts at hiding and are easily transported, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since they are not attracted to dirt and grime, the presence of bed bugs does not necessarily indicate uncleanliness.

The University has asked that students who have seen potential pest issues to contact a building official or report the concern to Environmental Health Services at 970-491-6745.

Collegian reporter Samantha Ye can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @samxye4.