Bedbugs Infestation Shuts SW Iowa Motel

KETV.com

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Nov 6, 2009 at 3:31 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 6, 2009 at 3:37 PM CST

SHENANDOAH - An Iowa inspector has ordered the Days Inn in Shenandoah closed because of a bedbug infestation.

Crews spent their lunch hour on Thursday changing carpet inside the motel as a sign outside declared that the business was closed for remodeling.

Former employees said that wasn't the real reason that the motel was shut down.

"My manager told me there was a bedbug infestation," said a former employee who asked to be identified as Aubrey.

Several former employees at the motel told KETV NewsWatch 7 that the problem has been going on for months.

"There were just spots of blood on, I'd say, 90 percent of the sheets," Aubrey said. "We'd have to replace the sheets all the time."

Carpet was being removed from the motel on Thursday.

KETV NewsWatch 7 learned that an Iowa inspector heard a guest complain about bedbugs on Thursday morning. A search of the guest's room found multiple insects and the business was immediately closed.

"We washed everything and they put it back in circulation," Aubrey said. "Washing sheets doesn't kill bedbugs."

The motel has been inspected three times since May. It passed inspection in the spring, but was found to be out of compliance in July for dirty rooms. A July report also noted there was no pest control certification.

The manager denied Thursday morning that the sudden closure was because of an infestation, saying that the motel was being remodeled. The manager was unable to respond to questions about the inspector's report later in the day.

The motel will remain closed until a certified pest control company can prove that the infestation is gone.

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