ATLANTA - The Butler Street YMCA in downtown Atlanta is recovering from a severe bed bug infestation, and Orkin’s southeast division stepped in to help. Staff discovered bed bugs in early June, and the infestation was still being treated last month. It’s estimated that nearly 5,000 bed bugs were found inside the 112-year-old, five-story building. Thirty-four out of the 54 rooms had to be cleared out and treated. 

Orkin Southeast Division President Greg Clendenin stepped in to provide mattress and boxspring encasements for 51 beds. These will help protect against any future infestations by preventing new bed bugs from getting into the mattresses. 

The YMCA helps get homeless men off the streets by giving them a place to stay and helping to get them back on their feet.

The encasements were delivered in early August, however, the shelter is still raising money to buy new beds and will install the covers once the beds are purchased.