If you don't like pests setting up shop in your home, you might be interested in hiring a professional exterminator to help you with your problems. However, unless you understand the tools that they are working with, you might find yourself wondering what else you can do to curb issues. For example, if you don't mention that mosquito problem, your exterminator might not know to treat that water feature with a pesticide that targets larvae. My site explains different ways you can prepare for your professional pest control treatment, so that you aren't left with issues later down the road.
From ants to termites and house flies, there are a number of insects that can find their way into any home, and for the most part, they are all easy to get rid of. However, there is one pest that is so insidious that it can strike fear into the heart of landlords and tenants alike: bed bugs. Finding bed bugs in an apartment complex is a huge issue because these clever pests can spread quickly, and getting rid of them is very difficult. If you are a tenant and you believe your apartment is infested with bed bugs, here are a few tips to help you spot these unwanted pests :
Do I Have Bed Bugs?
Although many people consider bed bugs an urban issue, it doesn't mean that you can't be infested with this pest if you live in a small town, or the middle of the country. If you suspect you have bed bugs, but aren't sure, here are a few warning signs to watch for:
Look for small, reddish colored stains on your sheets. These stains are either the crushed bodies of bed bugs or their excrement.
Search areas where bed bugs are prone to hide. These include under the seams of your mattress, between the cushions of your couch or even in a pile of dirty clothing in the back of your closet. Bed bugs are more active at night, so this is the best time to catch them.
Inspect your and your family's skin for bites. According to WebMD, bed bugs will generally bite your shoulders and arms. The bites may or may not be itchy.
If you suspect your home is infested with bed bugs, it's vital to contact your landlord immediately. Show your landlord any evidence you've collected of the infestation, such as the bodies of dead bed bugs or the bites on your body.
It will require the assistance of an exterminator to completely eliminate the infestation – but there are still a few things you can do to keep the bed bugs' numbers under control. For example, remove all the clothing from every dresser and closet in the apartment and wash it in hot water. Once the garments are dry, place them into plastic bags. Store the bags outside of the apartment to help ensure they don't become re-infested.
Who Will Pay For the Exterminator?
According to Fox Business, it can cost several thousands of dollars to completely eliminate bed bugs from your apartment. In most cases, it is the responsibility of the building's owner to pay for the extermination. This is because it can often be difficult to determine who brought the bed bugs into the apartment complex, especially if several units are affected.
However, if your landlord is insisting it is your responsibility to pay for the extermination fees, or if they are refusing to deal with the problem in a timely fashion, there are things you can do.
For example, if the landlord is insisting you pay the exterminator, ask them if any other tenants are struggling with a bed bug infestation. Also inquire if there have ever been any bed bug infestations in the past. If the building had been treated for bed bugs in the past, you can argue that this is an on-going issue, which doesn't make you responsible for paying the exterminator.
If your landlord is refusing to hire an exterminator, there are actions you can take. For example, depending on your lease, you can refuse to pay your rent until the bed bug problem is under control. Unfortunately, in some extreme cases you may be forced to hire an attorney, or even move, if the bed bug issue isn't being resolved.
Discovering you have a bed bug infestation can be heartbreaking, and you might not know how to remedy the situation. If you suspect there are bed bugs in your apartment, don't hesitate to contact your landlord immediately and work with them until the infestation is eliminated.
Share30 July 2015
