FARGO, ND (Valley News Live) – Bed bugs were a problem in a home caring for adults with disabilities and mental illness in Detroit Lakes. Lakes Homes and Program Development, Inc. have been battling them since August last year. A member of staff called our whistleblower hotline and said the West Home dealt with the pests and posted photos of them on wheelchairs and furniture.
A photo of the whistleblower.(KVLY)
The whistleblower said the problem started six months ago, but it’s continuing to decline, according to development director Barb TeVogt.
“It was actually August when we started dealing with this situation. All residents left the house and turned everything upside down while they treated. We were evacuated for eight hours and then they were allowed to come back. “Said TeVogt.
Lakes Homes and Program Development, Inc. is currently using an outside agency and hiring staff to combat the errors. While the agency is fumigating, the employees wash and spray the rooms. According to the University of Minnesota, they recommend organizations not to treat bed bugs on their own and to seek professional help.
A photo of the whistleblower.(KVLY)
“We treat, we had a company that came in and fumigated the house, and there are still some stragglers, but that’s what we learn about the bed bug life cycle.” said TeVogt.
Lakes Homes did not have to report the bed bugs as the Minnesota Department of Health does not consider them a reportable condition. Although the beetles do not transmit harmful diseases, they can still cause health problems.
“They can cause certain secondary infections from the bites and from the itching.” said MDOH Information Officer Doug Schultz. “It’s a hygienic problem. They shouldn’t be there, including the hotels and motels that we regulate. Like I said, it’s bad enough that they can lead to secondary infections in the wounds that they can cause. “
TeVogt says Lakes Homes is still in the process of fighting the bed bugs.
If you need help uncovering a problem in your community, call our whistleblower line and we will do our best to get to the bottom of the problem. Call 701-237-6576 and leave your tip.
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