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Bed Bugs: A Municipal Case Study and Beyond

This case study details the collaborative efforts of the Manchester Health Department and local organizations to address a severe bed bug infestation at Langdon Mill. Beginning in 2002, the initiative focuses on education, resource coordination, and tenant support in multiple languages. Challenges such as language barriers, financial limitations, and tenant relocation were tackled through community advocacy and engagement of various stakeholders. The study demonstrates sustainable solutions and collaborative problem-solving in public health, emphasizing the importance of ongoing education and community involvement.

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Bed Bugs: A Municipal Case Study and Beyond

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  1. Bed Bugs: A Municipal Case Study and Beyond Phil Alexakos, MPH, REHS Chief of Environmental Health & Emergency Response Manchester Health Department

  2. Bed Bug History in Manchester • First Calls 2002 • Langdon Mill Building • 20 Units • Multiple Languages • Older Construction • Multiple Complaints

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. Langdon Mill 2009- Logistics • Housing • Transportation • Volunteer Coordination • Donation Coordination • Food • Case Workers • $$$$ ????

  18. 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

  19. Next Steps Keeping the Momentum Going

  20. 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

  21. 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

  22. Subcommittees • Public Education • Policy • Funding

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

  24. Public Information • Needs • Pamphlets • Magnets • Stickers • Considerations • Ease of reading and understanding • Culturally appropriate • Consistency • Funding $$$ • Grants and Partnerships

  25. 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

  26. 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

  27. 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

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