HUDSON

Bedbugs a 'serious' problem in Hoboken senior complex, freeholder says

Joshua Jongsma
NorthJersey
Closeup view of two bed bugs.

A Hudson County freeholder called for a solution to a “serious” bedbug problem at a Hoboken senior housing complex. 

Anthony Romano held a press conference outside of the Columbian Towers on Bloomfield Avenue on Monday asking for the city and county health department to exterminate the pests. 

“If you heard all the complaints, you’d be like ‘woah,’ ” Romano said of the bedbugs. He added that there were many people who complained about them. 

A message left at the office of Colombian Towers was not immediately returned. 

The freeholder, who is also running for mayor of Hoboken, said the whole building will need to be treated as bedbugs spread quickly. Residents of the complex were worried that nothing was being done to remove the bedbugs, according to Romano. 

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Bedbugs feed on the blood of humans and animals and their bites are itchy and uncomfortable, according to the New Jersey Department of Health. Unlike mosquitos, they are not known to spread disease. The bugs typically gather in areas where people sleep such as mattresses, box springs and bed frames.

To prevent bedbugs, regularly inspect bedrooms, use plastic mattress covers and do not have bedding touch the floor, according to the Department of Health. 

Romano said he hopes the city or county health departments will step in to remove the bugs from the Hoboken complex. 

“You can’t just walk away from that,” he said. 

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com