The Everett Gospel Mission has temporarily shut down its upstairs sleeping quarters after discovering a bed bug infestation.
The shut down, which began this week, is expected to end Sunday evening, said Sylvia Anderson, chief executive. It’s costing $20,000 to deal with the bed bugs and replace bed bunks.
Men staying at the shelter were given a head’s up about the impending shut down, she said, but between 40 and 50 were forced to seek shelter elsewhere.
About 90 men are sleeping on mats on the mission’s first floor, she said. Preference for those spots was given to anyone who was sick or had mental health problems, Anderson said.
The problem arose in wooden bunk beds on the mission’s upper floor. Bed bugs infested the wooden frames, she said.
The organization has been having the mission sprayed by an exterminating company to try to keep the bed bug problem under control. But the Snohomish Health District received an anonymous complaint about two weeks ago. The public health agency then contacted the shelter and met with Anderson.
The living quarters of the shelter have been painted and new metal beds are being installed, Anderson said. In addition, new metal nightstands and dressers are being ordered.
“We’ve had an unexpected expense of $20,000 but we felt it was necessary,” Anderson said.
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