Bedbug threat causes charities to decline donations

Charities in Saint John, N.B., are turning away some second-hand donations this Christmas due to fears of a bedbug outbreak.

The charities are hoping people who planned to donate used goods this year will instead give money or new goods.  

A city shelter for abused women and their children is no longer accepting any second-hand clothing or furniture.

Elaine Northrup, the executive director of Hestia House, said it has been hard on their budget, but said she hopes people will find other ways to give.

"Financial support from the community is always appreciated and is much needed. We have Christmas coming up; it's a very crucial time of year for us and we depend greatly on donations of new items," she said.

Hestia House has not had a bedbug problem, but decided dealing with an infestation would prove more expensive than the loss entailed by turning away donations.

'Not everyone likes [it] to be even thought that they might ... have bedbugs in their stuff.' —Carolyn McNulty

Romero House Soup Kitchen has stopped handling used furniture, but is continuing to accept and distribute used clothing.

Staff at the Brunswick Drive centre serve hot lunches to the needy seven days a week and often give out second-hand clothing and supplies.

Executive director Carolyn McNulty said they used to handle second-hand furniture, too, but stopped after a recent outbreak of bedbugs in the city. She said they carefully screen used clothing for bedbugs before handing it out.

McNulty said while those in need understand the precautions, those donating sometimes take offence.

"Not everyone likes [it] to be even thought that they might … have bedbugs in their stuff," she said. "You have to be very, very diplomatic and hope they understand that, under the circumstances, we have to take these kinds of measures."

Saint John has had several recent outbreaks of bedbugs. In September, the city's St. Joseph's Hospital took action to counter an infestation.

At the time, a local pest control worker said he was taking 10 to 12 phone calls a week from people with bedbugs, compared to one or two a month in 2009.

Bedbugs are wingless pests that feed on human blood. They do not transmit any known blood-borne diseases, but they can lead to serious infection if people scratch the bitten areas and their saliva can trigger allergic reactions.

Health officials consider them a nuisance.