Bed Bug Infestation Forces OKC Woman Out Of Pine Ridge Apartments

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news9 (2014) explained, Oklahoma City, OK -

A bed bug infestation forces an Oklahoma City woman out of her apartment.

Karen Bookout has lived at Pine Ridge Apartments on S.W. 63rd and Santa Fe for nearly a year.

"It's not my fault, you know, I didn't bring these bed bugs in here," Bookout said the bed bugs moved in last month.

Bookout said she complained to management, but they claimed it was her fault.

"She said where did they come from, and I said I don't know you tell me," Bookout recalled.

Soon after the complaint, management issued a pest control notice asking some tenants to bag their belongings for an exterminator.

Bookout said she tried to comply but was never given a date for when her apartment would be sprayed.

An eviction notice came next.

10/2/2012 Related Story: OKC Apartment Complex Charges Residents To Exterminate Bed Bugs

"These letters just made me feel like it's my fault," Bookout believes her new neighbor brought the bugs to the complex.

The manager wouldn't confirm that theory in an interview, but she gave Bookout that explanation while our camera was rolling.

"She brought some in when she got a new bed," said Bookout's manager while standing in the doorway of Bookout's apartment. "We've been trying since last Thursday to correct this."

Bookout feels the opposite and wants to move out. She notified the Oklahoma City County Health Department of the infestation.

"We can only give notice to the management," Troy Skow, Consumer Protection at the OCCH Department, said they send out inspectors and then notify apartments.

He said, ultimately, the management of the apartment must address the issue and work with its tenants.

Bookout said that's not enough for her to stay in her lease. She wants to move out and hopes management will give back her deposit so she can find a new place to stay.

http://www.news9.com/story/24757806/bed-bug-infestation-forces-okc-woman-out-of-pine-ridge-apartments

Bed bug found in Biddeford Middle School

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WGME channel 13 news (2014) explained,  BIDDEFORD (WGME) -- A single bed bug found on a Biddeford Middle School student's clothes has prompted a letter home to parents. The superintendent says the parasite was found Thursday. The school immediately sent a letter home to parents telling them about the problem and what symptoms, like a small swollen mark, if their child is bit.

The superintendent says bed bugs can be quite common and there's no need for panic.

"From time to time in the winter, as kids leave clothing or bring clothing into school, it's fairly common," said Superintendent Jeremy Ray. "We like to do our best to inform parents when we find one at school. We know parents are concerned about that and we want to protect everybody."

Ray says one of the best ways to protect your child from bed bugs is to remind them to keep their clothes clean and away from other students' clothes.

"It's important to hang up jackets and book bags in lockers and not leave everything piled together," said Ray.

Atlantic Pest Solutions says bed bugs are one of the most common pests they deal with. If you spot one, they say you should clean your clothes and linens right away.

"Clean clothes you don't even need to wash," said Ralph Blumenthal of Atlantic Pest Solutions. "Just run it through the dryer. Go through a regular cycle, the hottest cycle possible except for dedicates so they're not ruined. Otherwise, a wash and dry in a regular cycle should eliminate the problem."

The school says the possibility of an outbreak is unlikely.

http://www.wgme.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/bed-bug-found-biddeford-middle-school-20935.shtml#.Uva31vu5Tpg