MIDLAND, Texas — The Customer Services building on Andrews Highway will be closing down for the weekend after the City of Midland discovered bed bugs inside the building.
While it is unknown how the bed bugs got inside, Dr. Whitney Craig of Midland Health Services said bed bugs normally travel by latching onto a passing person or animal, giving them one possible method of entrance.
"If there's a place that's infested and you go into it, you will more than likely carry that bed bug elsewhere,” said Dr. Craig.
The building is located on 1030 Andrews Highway, right next to the United Supermarket. Midland Water Department operates out of the building as one of the main spots for Midlanders to pay any water bills they may have.
“[It's] where customers go to set up their water bill and their water account," Utilities Director Carl Craigo said. "The whole facility was getting shut down today so they can spray for bed bugs.”
A routine inspection was able to detect the bed bugs early and allow the city to take swift action on dealing with the pests.
“We had a pest control guy come out late yesterday and we found out through the report this morning that the pests were bed bugs," Craigo said.
Of course, the spraying could have an effect on people who need to pay their bills. The city is waiving late fees for water bills and they are offering some different options to pay the bills as well.
“As always, you can pay online... but we also set up a spot here at city hall on the first floor where you can come and pay and look at your account if you have any problems," Craigo said.
As for what happens if a bed bug latches onto a person, the side effects aren't too terrible, just annoying.
“Bed bugs are not dangerous. They just are pretty much parasitic insects, but they're also a nuisance," Dr. Craig said. "So they'll create itching, and then because they do bite during the nighttime while you're asleep, that may create insomnia because you're up scratching all night.”