The AIS Desk Staff LibGuide: Reporting Pests

Reporting Pests on Desk

If a patron approaches the desk to inform staff of a sighting of pests, please follow these steps to ensure proper reporting:

1. Get as much information about the time and location of the pests as possible (floor number & pod letter, specific location information like furniture location description/call number if found in library materials).
2. Thank the patron for informing us and let them know we will contact our monitoring company to check the reported area and take action.
   • If needed, explain that bedbugs do not affect public health and offer to email a link to the AZDHS publication or print a copy. If individuals still express health concerns, suggest that they contact Campus Health and/or Hayri Yildirim
3. Locate and Isolate the pests as best as possible:
   • For smaller items (like books or equipment) isolate pests and items in a plastic bag.
   • For larger items (like furniture) place an "out-of-order" sign until it can be inspected.
   • If it is a report of employee or patron exposure, report to a supervisor so they may follow up

Contact the following people immediately:

• Primary: Hayri Yildirim (hty@arizona.edu, (520) 307-2820)
• A supervisor on duty
• CC: Robyn Huff-Eibl (rhuffeibl@arizona.edu) on any email communications
• If Hayri is unavailable call:
  • Hasan Sanli (520) 448-777
  • Central Facilities (520) 621-3000

Include the details you gathered earlier in your communication via telephone or email

DO NOT:

• Do not email AIS or the Helpline. Hayri or the supervisor will verify the issue, determine if treatment is needed, and notify all relevant stakeholders (including CC’ing Robyn Huff-Eibl).
• Do not discuss or identify affected individuals. Avoid speculation or attempts to determine who was involved.
  • Maintain discretion. Supervisors will handle any necessary disclosures; no personal information about employees or patrons should be shared without consent.
• Avoid using the term “bedbugs” in written communication. Refer to them as “pests” to maintain discretion and accuracy. All written communication is subject to FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) review, and inaccurate reports can cause unnecessary concern.