Corbin unemployment office hit by bed bug problems again

Following a three-day closure in early November due to a bed bug infestation, the state’s unemployment and welfare services office in Corbin is still having problems with the pesky critters, and there are plans in place to attack the issue again over the weekend.

According to Lanny Brannock, Communications Officer with the Kentucky Office of Employment and Training, the Employment Services and Unemployment Insurance office on Roy Kidd Ave. will be fumigated again after bed bugs were sighted there this week.

Rumors surfaced that the office was going to be closed part of next week, or that it could be closed indefinitely, prompting concern on the part of employees and local public officials. Brannock said the bed bug problem is being addressed, hopefully without the need to interrupt services.

"They are re-treating the office again this weekend. It will be a heavy treatment with a different contractor," Brannock said. "It’s just a bed bug issue, nothing else."

Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney said he received calls of concern that the office might be closed on a longer term basis, perhaps permanently. He said he was told the issue had to do with asbestos in the building. Asbestos is a fire retardant substance that was commonly used in construction as an insulator before it’s use was banned when it was found to be carcinogenic.

Brannock said there were no concerns over air quality in the building, but that officials had decided not to tear up and replace carpet in order to deal with the bed bug problem for fear asbestos below it could be disturbed.

"They are not going to take up the carpet. That’s the only reason the abestos issue came up," Brannock said.

The office was closed Nov. 10-12 because of a bed bug infestation. Brannock said a licensed contractor treated the building, but that the bugs were spotted again Wednesday.

Employees were preparing the office Friday for weekend treatment. The office should be open Monday for normal business hours.