Bedbugs shut down Catholic shelter, costs deplete coffers

ProChem- Heat is the best method to kill bedbugs.

WCF Courier (2014) explained,

WATERLOO | A bedbug infestation compromised living spaces for the homeless staying at St. Francis Catholic Worker House this week but the cost to clean it up has drained their coffers.

The nine-bed shelter got its first complaint of bedbug bites from a resident on Monday. An exterminator was called Tuesday and deemed both the men's and women's houses would need to be treated.

Guests will likely be allowed to return Sunday afternoon but the cost to treat the infestation totaled $5,900, spending most of the organization's reserves.

"That took a big chunk out of our bank account," said Ken Hasty, a resident worker said Friday. "We were broke about a year ago but it just seems like we always come out OK."

Both of the guest houses were heat-treated Wednesday through Friday. Three residents were transferred to either hotels or space at St. Vincent de Paul and the Cedar Valley Hospitality House.

Jon McNamee, division manager for environmental health at Black Hawk County Health Department, said bedbugs have become a more common problem over the last few years, but it's hard to put a finger on why.

"Travel has a lot to do with it, or the chemicals being used have changed," he said.

But McNamee said it's not an problem exclusive to those in poverty.

"I think the biggest stigma I try to allay is that it's somehow associates with poor or messy housekeeping or low-quality lodging facilities and it's not," he said. "We're seeing bedbugs can be found in higher-end hotels and motels. It's wherever they are, they are"

He suggests anyone with a bedbug infestation seek professional help. Heat-treatment works the best; no over-the-counter treatment is as effective.

Hasty said the shelter, which also provides community meals, survives on donations. They don't get any government grants.

St. Catholic Worker House is looking for donations to cover the cost of hotel rooms for two more nights and the extermination expense.

Donations can be sent to St. Francis Catholic Worker, PO Box 1533 or dropped off at 321 E. Eighth St., Waterloo.
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