Montreal-area library shuts down for treatment after pests discovered during inspection
The Westmount Public Library has temporarily closed its doors after inspectors discovered evidence of bed bugs in multiple areas of the building. City officials say the shutdown will allow pest control teams to conduct a thorough treatment of the premises and prevent the infestation from spreading further.
The closure comes as municipalities across Canada continue to grapple with periodic bed bug outbreaks in public spaces, including libraries, transit systems and apartment buildings.
Inspection Finds Bed Bugs in Several Areas
According to library officials, the decision to close the facility followed an inspection on March 6 that detected bed bugs in certain sections of the building.
A second inspection carried out on Monday found additional evidence of the pests beyond the originally affected area.
“Unfortunately, the follow-up inspection revealed evidence of bed bugs in other areas of the public library, beyond those initially found in the adult computer section,” officials said in a statement.
To ensure a comprehensive extermination process, the entire building will remain closed while pest control specialists treat the facility.
“This measure is intended to ensure a thorough treatment of the entire premises,” the statement said.
Library users have been advised to keep their borrowed materials for now, as the temporary closure may delay normal return schedules.
Other City Facilities Remain Open
City officials emphasized that other nearby municipal buildings have not been affected.
Inspections conducted at Victoria Hall and the Heritage Greenhouses found no signs of bed bugs, and both locations will continue operating as usual.
“The city is aware of the inconvenience caused and thanks citizens for their patience while the necessary measures are deployed to ensure a healthy and welcoming environment at the library,” officials said.
While the physical location is closed, residents can still access the library’s digital resources, including e-books and online databases.
What Residents Should Know About Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood and are known for spreading easily in shared spaces such as hotels, public transit and multi-unit housing.
According to Quebec’s public health authorities, the insects are typically most active at night and prefer to hide in dark, narrow spaces during the day.
Key Characteristics of Bed Bugs
Adult bed bugs have several identifiable features:
- Visible to the naked eye
- Usually brown in colour, turning red to dark brown after feeding
- Oval-shaped and about the size of a flattened apple seed (roughly 4–7 millimetres long)
- Unable to jump or fly
- Move at roughly the speed of an ant
Although they typically live five to six months, bed bugs can survive more than a year without feeding if they remain dormant.
Bed Bug Eggs
The eggs also have distinct characteristics:
- Whitish in colour
- About the size of a pinhead
- Laid in clusters in tight or hidden spaces
- Hatch approximately 10 to 14 days after being laid
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
Public health authorities say infestations can often be identified through several clues.
On the skin:
- Bites resembling mosquito bites
- Itchy or irritated skin
- Bites appearing on exposed parts of the body during sleep
- Bites initially clustered together before spreading across the body if the infestation persists
On bedding and furniture:
- Small black spots on sheets, mattresses or bed frames (bed bug droppings)
- Presence of live or dead bed bugs
- Shed skins or eggs in mattress seams, furniture crevices or nearby surfaces
Temporary Disruption as City Works to Resolve Issue
Municipal officials have not yet announced when the Westmount Public Library will reopen, but say the closure will remain in place until pest control treatments are completed and the building is confirmed to be pest-free.
In the meantime, residents are encouraged to use the library’s online services while the city works to restore safe access to one of Westmount’s key community spaces.
