Bedbugs - Yikes!

[Nancy Molinari]

I own a duplex and live on one side. The tenant came over last night to tell me they found bedbugs in his son's room and he was having someone come over today (Monday) to check out the situation. I felt like he was implying that they were there before he moved in 7 months ago, which I would find hard to believe that they would just now decide to start "feeding". I have the unit steam cleaned between ever tenant, but I realize that wouldn't kill any bedbugs from previous tenants. I've never had a problem before. I'm guessing one of his 3 kids brought them home from school or somewhere else. I don't want a legal issue. If they have tenant's insurance (as stated in the lease), shouldn't the insurance should cover it? Any suggestions or advice on this in case he tries to claim they were there before he moved in? I'm also concerned about those creatures coming over to my side, even though I have a fire wall.

[Will Browm]

I am a newbie, but I actually run a Pest Control company. Bedbugs are hitchhikers; they are brought in. Your tenants could not have had 7 months bite free in an infested unit. Bedbugs can go a LONG time without blood meals,but they won't if there are hosts present. They like to have a blood meal every 48 hours. The child would have been complaining much earlier. The facts above are quite important for LLs. Hotels have issues within days of infestations.

I do not believe most renters insurance covers BBs.

The firewall and such should protect you. Do not let this family into your unit and check yourself, especially hems of pants when you have been in there unit.

I can answer more later but I am off to work.