Bed Bugs Found in Campbell Starbucks

A report of bed bugs at a Campbell Starbucks has left many itchy. Could there be a bed bug riding in your purse or laptop bag? 

According to the Santa Clara County Vector Control District, bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other animals. They leave itchy, red bites that can become infected if scratched, but bedbugs are not known to transmit diseases.

NBC Bay Area, a television news station first reported about the infestation at the Starbucks on Bascom Avenue Wednesday.

"I was notified that we did not conduct an inspection on the referred establishment since there was already a report from a pest control company stating that inspection and treatment for the related insect was in progress," said Santa Clara County Vector Control District Community Resource Specialist José Colomé.

"I'm not aware of any other reports or calls for service with this particular coffee chain."

This incident, however, is not uncommon, he said.

"That can happen to any business," Colomé said. "Those insects can be carried even in backpacks or small bags. They're normally around people and when you have so many customers coming in and out, it is a possibility."

According to the NBC Bay Area report, the bugs were found in between the cushions of the sofa chairs at the coffee shop.

A Starbucks spokesman responded with a statement to NBC Bay Area. He said the company called pest control after the first report of bed bugs, but found no health nor safety risks. He said the company called the same pest control company after the two women reported the problem to county officials. 
 
According to a copy of the second pest control report given to NBC Bay Area by Santa Clara County, the pest company found a total of 10 bed bugs. Starbucks then removed the soft sofa-type seating and Kalson said the county cleared the Starbucks location of bed bugs. The Starbucks statement to NBC Bay Area concluded with, “We are confident that all concerns related to this location have been resolved.”

According to Vector Control, the number of calls for service regarding bed bugs in Santa Clara County have been on the rise.

As seen on the graph included with this article, bed bug reports went from:

• 63 reports in 2009
• 12 reports in 2010
• 227 reports in 2011
• 226 reports in 2012

Colomé urges the public to file a report with the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health, or Dept. of Environmental Health Consumer Protection Division if at a business, if they suspect bed bugs.

"It's important to report cases of bed bugs because these infestations tend to be chronic," Colomé said. "They tend to travel and infest others. The only way to stop infestation is with treatment."

The County, although doesn't treat for bed bugs can help identify or confirm the insect, he said.

To report bed bugs at a business, call the Consumer Protection Division of the Santa Clara County Environmental Health Department at 408-918-3400. 

For more information, contact the Santa Clara County Vector Control District at (408) 918-4770 or sccVector.org. See, also, bed bug tips that vector control has issued.

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