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Wilson County Emergency Responders Battle Bed Bugs

by Amanda Hara

LEBANON, Tenn. – Pest control crews have been working to clear a bed bug infestation from the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency's Station One in Lebanon.

About a week ago, officials at WEMA realized bed bugs were biting employees as they slept. For five nights, employees had to sleep on cots in the training center across the street.

At first pest control companies thought Station One's bunk was infested with fleas, and at one point, doctors treated employees for shingles before realizing bed bugs were the problem.

On Monday, a company called Thermal Rid pumped hot air into the station to kill the bugs.

Company president Rick Whited said bed bugs can cause sleep deprivation, and that's the last thing emergency responders need to deal with.

"They have to be ready to go at any time. What little sleep they do get, they can't be deprived of it, so we need to get these bugs out of here and make sure they rest calmly when they come in from a job," said Whited.

Employees were told they would be able to return to Station One on Tuesday.

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