Bed bugs anyone?

Question

So one of my tenants decides to make a complaint at Board of Health on me without even contacting me first. So of course they go in and find a whole list of violations, most of them typical which I would repair anyhow. Unfortunately they found infestation of bed bugs. This is my first experience with this and Im not happy about it. They are making me exterminate though I did not bring them into the unit. My Pest co comes out to investigate and quote me price of $800! What's worse is the bugs may come back in a few months depending who she is bringing into the apartment. Anyone have any experience with this? I spoke to my attorney who says right now the law simply states landlords are responsible for exterminating pests, rodents, etc. Something has to be done about this...I know some states have made amendments, but MA has done nothing. Any more occurrences like this and I'll be out of business. Please help!!!

Joe Delia · Answer

I wish i could vote a negative on advice.  This is terrible advice.  Beds are not the end all when it comes to bed bugs, not even close.

You're doing the right thing, heat is the right method.

Account Closed · Answer

Doesnt help you much now but I'll throw in my two cents anyways... This is why I only do month to month leases... Whoever I think brought in the bugs gets a 30 day notice.. Whoever turned me into the board without even giving me an opportunity to fix it first can get one too

Ben Kevan · Answer

After looking at your profile and understanding that you own and manage multi-unit complexes, my biggest worry would be for migration of the bed bugs.

I think the best thing to do is send a newsletter to your tenants about bed bugs, and prevention tips.

Are bed bugs a problem in your area (regionally)?

Michael Madden · Answer

Pestmall.com

Their products are the same as the exterminators use.

I used their combo pack on a 3 unit I have and got rid of them.

Aaron Mazzrillo · Answer

A friend's mobile home park recently had an issue with bed bugs. They used the heat treatment very effectively. They also discovered cedar oil works very well. Not sure if it kills the eggs though, but it was a much cheaper alternative.

Sam Hecht · Answer

Dave,

A proactive approach including trained canine sniffing dogs is the best way  to insure that if any bedbug does come back you can nip it before it turns into a full blown infestation.

Ayana Mingo · Answer

Joe Delia
 
Originally posted by Ayana Mingo
Do not waste money on a exterminator. The only way to get rid of bed bug is to get a new bed. Tell your tenant its not your fault or theirs. Tell them to buy a new bed. And defog their apartment before the new bed arrives.

I wish i could vote a negative on advice. This is terrible advice. Beds are not the end all when it comes to bed bugs, not even close.

You're doing the right thing, heat is the right method.

Sorry Joe if you feel my advice is not good. But Joe I'm going off my experience. You may kill a lot but a lot may linger. Bed Bugs are great hidders and when they're baby size you wouldn't even know they are a bugs.

Don't waste money on exterminator just get a new bed. Once I got a new bed and defog the whole house I no longer had a problem.

Heat is suppose to be a better solutions when the price of gas is through the roof. Are you crazy.

Also  if you feel my advice is so bad. Please feel free to give better advice than increasing your gas bill.

Thanks,

Ayana

Denise Donovan · Answer

I can only imagine how you must feel, you should have been given the chance to deal with the problem before being "turned in".

Document EVERYTHING! Keep accurate records. Take pictures, etc.

Since bedbugs are on the rise and not going away soon, one must be proactive in their approach to bed bugs. It's that ounce of prevention that makes all the difference.

Those who own real estate and lease to people need to have a plan in place prior to your tenants bringing them in to your units.

Your att. is right, there are only 4 states at this time that have a property owner plan in place for shared responsibility.

There are proactive and preventative things that can be done to "catch" bed bugs at an early stage and needs to be shared with your renters.

You educate them on bed bugs and have them sign an acknowledgement that they have read the materials and will stay aware and on top of what and where they  contact bed bugs (i,e, travel,buying used furniture, shopping at thrift stores, etc)

Nip it now so that you don't have to go through this again in the future because the risk gets greater especially if someone has a severe reaction to the bites - guess who gets sued?

Regards,

Denise Donovan/National Director

You can contact me at [REMOVED]

Timothy Rosson · Answer

If the exterminator comes in and sprays, and the tenants have removed "ANYTHING", and they take it back in,the bugs will be back in a matter of days. My old land lord had that problem with a tenant that dragged them in one of his apartments and he had to spend thousands of dollars to get rid of them. The only way to get rid of them that the exterminator told me, is heat. Just under 200 degrees.

DL Martin · Answer

Steve, how crazy would it be to just buy one of these and use it yourself?

http://www.pcsheat.com/heatunits.html

Bed bugs anyone?

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