Bed Bugs: A Municipal Case Study and Beyond

Phil Alexakos, MPH, REHS Chief of Environmental Health & Emergency Response Manchester Health Department

Bed Bug History in Manchester

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First Calls 2002 Langdon Mill Building

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20 Units

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Multiple Languages

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Older Construction

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Multiple Complaints

Health Department Role

• Not in the business of housing code enforcement – Some in the audience may be wearing both “hats” – Educational role – Connections and access to resources in the Community

More History

• Collaborative Efforts – 2005 • Mailings to all Laundromats, used furniture providers (that we knew of), furniture rental businesses • Development of educational materials for the public – Awareness and Treatment Guidelines – English, Spanish, Russian, Bosnian • Posted on Web

Langdon Mill 2005

• October 2005 – Identification of a major bedbug and cockroach infestation – Coordination with Housing Code to ensure proper enforcement – Coordination with Pest Control Company to assure that residents were instructed on treatment preparation

Langdon Mill 2005

• Major issues encountered – Language Barriers – Functional Needs Barriers – Cooperation Barriers • Laundering • Site Prep – Financial Barriers (for tenants and owner) • Where it all fell short…..LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY

Landon Mill 2009

• March 2009 • Reports of children and infants were being “eaten alive” by bed bugs in this building • Community advocacy groups began to act on behalf of these residents on their behalf • Meetings of stakeholders were organized

Langdon Mill 2009

• Organizers – Granite State Organizing Project (GSOP) – American Friends Service Committee • Utilized their resources to bring all parties to the table • Ensured that meetings were well organized and people/ agencies were accountable to effort

Langdon Mill 2009

• Property Ownership – Engaged from DAY 1!!

– Committed to a solution – Ensures that resources invested are effective – Integral in the success of any effort

Langdon Mill Part 2009

• City Government – Health Department • Hosted meetings • Provided access to educational materials • Functioned as the primary linkage to all City services • Provided technical expertise and training to volunteers and participants – Public Works • Provided free access to the City Transfer Station for disposal

Langdon Mill 2009- Community Organizations

• Multiple Faith-Based groups and most importantly volunteers were energized and trained to continue engaging the residents – Remember, one of the shortcomings of the previous initiatives was sustainability!

• Social Service Agencies – These groups are likely to encounter people affected by bedbug issues – Training these workers also protects them from unknowingly putting themselves at risk

Langdon Mill 2009- Community Organizations

• Cultural Organizations – Assist with translation and training efforts – Increased “buy-in” – Enhanced understanding of issues and challenges for planners and volunteers – Allowed effort to penetrate deeper into the community

Langdon Mill 2009

• School Department – Social workers, nurses and teachers are likely to encounter the issue • They can help identify problems before they become severe – Provided two great “Case Workers” during the effort which increased trust and continuity during the relocation

Langdon Mill 2009

• Colleges – Provided an opportunity for “service learning” in the community.

– Provide an unlimited supply of volunteers over time.

– Access to grants and research opportunities

Langdon Mill 2009

• Businesses – Provided needed monetary support and resources needed to properly enact the effort – Increase awareness and reduce the stigma associated with bed bugs – Local Pest Control Company lent its expert to the effort

Langdon Mill 2009- Timeline

• April/May Community Planning • May/June Tenant Education • June Media and Community Awareness • June/ July Furniture and Household Items • July/August Tenant Relocation • August Treatment of Building and Maintenance • August Re-Housing • ONGOING Education and Prevention

Langdon Mill 2009- Logistics

• Housing • Transportation • Volunteer Coordination • Donation Coordination • Food • Case Workers • $$$$ ????

Everyone is Back…Now What?

• Ongoing involvement – Owner has designated an apartment as a “volunteer office” – Local college remains a strong presence in the building with student volunteers – Tenants are engaged to ensure safe practices – New tenants are educated upon arrival – Units are surveyed for any signs of activity – Action is taken immediately at the first sign of an issue

Next Steps

Keeping the Momentum Going

This Isn’t the Only Problem in Town, Let Alone the State

• Bed Bug “Task Force”, “Policy Group”, “Coalition” was formed • Knowing this continues to be an issue the members of the Langdon Mill Project were determined to energize others to advocate for bed bug awareness and infestation prevention

New Partners

• NH Department of Agriculture, Pesticides • New Hampshire Legal Assistance • The Way Home • NH Cooperative Extension and UNH Manchester • Medical Providers • Many Community-Based Agencies

Subcommittees

• Public Education • Policy • Funding

Public Education

• Who needs information – Tenants – Property owners – Policy makers – Businesses • Where to go for information – UNH Cooperative Extension – NH 211 – Websites

Public Information

• Needs – Pamphlets – Magnets – Stickers • Considerations – Ease of reading and understanding – Culturally appropriate – Consistency – Funding $$$ • Grants and Partnerships

Policy

• Assessment and Ownership of the Problem – Data collection – Target areas for interventions – Municipal Policy Maker Resolution • Evidence Based Best Practices – What are other places doing?

• Minimizing Risk – Enforcement, trash collection, regulation of used furniture place • Consistency • Linkage to Resources

Funding

• Increase public and civic awareness • The more people and businesses know… – This is a REAL problem – Less stigma – More apt to want to commit resources to prevention and treatment – Opportunities to collaborate • Healthy Homes

Future

• Bed Bug Task Force will continue to expand and meet • Hope to organize a statewide conference • Formalize a centralized location for bed bug information • Engage state policy makers