how do i know if my apartment has bed bugs

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How do you know if an apartment has bed bugs before you move in?

Common signs and symptoms of a possible bed bug infestation: Small red to reddish brown fecal spots on mattresses, box springs, bed frames, mattresses, linens, upholstery, or walls. Molted bed bug skins, white, sticky eggs, or empty eggshells. Very heavily infested areas may have a characteristically sweet odor.

How do you tell if an apartment will have bugs?

Take a good whiff. When you first step inside a home or apartment, let your nose tell you if something seems wrong. ... Scan the room. Do you see any pests? ... Keep a keen eye out for spots. ... Bring a flashlight for dark areas. ... Take a look at the baseboards. ... Ask about the landlord's pest control policy.

How do I make sure my apartment doesn't have bugs?

5 Tips To Get Rid Of Apartment Bugs1.) Wipe Down All Surfaces — Especially In The Kitchen. When bugs come inside, it's usually because they're looking for something to eat. ... 2.) Put Food Away. ... 3.) Don't Leave Damp Items Around. ... 4.) Seal Up All Cracks. ... 5.) Take Action.

How do you self check for bed bugs?

Start with the Common Hiding PlacesStep 1: Examine pillows and bed sheets for bed bug fecal marks and unexplained bloodstains.Step 2: Remove bed sheets and check around edges, seams, tags, and underneath the mattress.Step 3: Remove the mattress and check crevices or indentations in the bed frame and headboard.More items...•

Should I move because of bed bugs?

Once bed bugs have been confirmed in the living area of an individual or family, there may be good reason to move them to a different area or apartment while the infested one is treated. However bed bugs may be transferred with personal belongings, causing more trouble in the new living space.

Can bed bugs live in empty apartment?

Bed bugs can live for as long as 4.5 months or more in an empty house before completely dying off. The two primary factors that determine how quickly or slowly the bed bugs could die off are the existence of a blood meal host, and the temperature of the house.

How long does a landlord have to get rid of bed bugs?

Landlords have a legal duty to provide tenants with accommodation that is reasonably safe and habitable. Once a landlord is informed about a bed bug infestation, they must address the issue within 20 working days, and take the necessary measures to deal with the problem within a reasonable timeframe.

Do higher floors have less bugs?

Fewer Bugs and Other Pests If you're on the top floor, it's highly unlikely that pests are going to scale the entire building just to nest in the walls of your apartment. Most bugs probably won't be flying that high either, so your penthouse apartment will probably be safe from flying insects.

What do bed bug droppings look like?

Bed bug poop appears as clusters of tiny spots on your bed. The droppings consist of digested blood, so they will no longer be red once they dry. The spots will be darker, rust colored or black, and are about the size of a dot from a marker.

Is there a bed bug detector?

Many commercial bed bug monitors are available for detecting bed bugs. Among them, pitfall-style traps are the most cost-effective for detecting bed bugs (Wang et al.

What kills bed bugs instantly?

Steam – Bed bugs and their eggs die at 122°F (50°C). The high temperature of steam 212°F (100°C) immediately kills bed bugs. Apply steam slowly to the folds and tufts of mattresses, along with sofa seams, bed frames, and corners or edges where bed bugs may be hiding.

What is the main cause of bed bugs?

They can come from other infested areas or from used furniture. They can hitch a ride in luggage, purses, backpacks, or other items placed on soft or upholstered surfaces. They can travel between rooms in multi-unit buildings, such as apartment complexes and hotels.

How do you tell if an apartment has roaches before moving in?

To tell if an apartment has cockroaches, look for feces, shed skins, smear marks, and dead roaches. If there's a large infestation, you can smell cockroaches due to their oily, musty odor.

Do all apartments have roaches?

Roaches are one of the most common pests found in apartments worldwide. Estimates vary, but anywhere from 10% to 30% of U.S. apartment complexes have cockroach infestations. And your chances of a roach problem go up in urban centers like cities. They also thrive in warm, humid regions.

How do I know if my new apartment has roaches?

Unusual odor - An established cockroach infestation produces a lingering and unpleasant musty smell that taints items with which they come in contact.Cockroach droppings. Cockroaches leave behind dark droppings that appear very similar to ground coffee or black pepper. ... Smear marks. ... Shed skin. ... Damage to property.

How likely is it to bring roaches when you move?

You may wonder, “Can roaches be transferred from one house to another?" Yes, they can. Before you begin packing up your belongings, check your house for common cockroach entry points. Be on the lookout for cracks and crevices near doorways and windows that can allow insects to enter your home.

What happens if you misidentify a bed bug infestation?

If you misidentify a bed bug infestation, it gives the bugs more time to spread to other areas of the house or hitchhike a ride to someone else's house to start a new infestation. Learn about identifying bed bugs. Bites on the skin are a poor indicator of a bed bug infestation.

Where do bed bugs hide?

If the room is heavily infested, you may find bed bugs: In the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions, in the folds of curtains.

How many blood meals do bed bugs need?

Bed bugs need at least one blood meal before the individual bug can develop to the next of the six life stages.#N#They can feed more than once.#N#Each stage also requires the molting of skin.

Why do bed sheets get rusty?

Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses caused by bed bugs being crushed.

How hot can a bed bug survive?

Bed bugs can survive and remain active at temperatures as low as 7°C (46°F), but they die when their body temperatures reaches 45°C (113°F).#N#To kill bed bugs with heat, the room must be even hotter to ensure sustained heat reaches the bugs no matter where they are hiding.

Can a credit card hold a bed bug?

Since bed bugs are only about the width of a credit card, they can squeeze into really small hiding spots. If a crack will hold a credit card, it could hide a bed bug.

Can carpet beetles be mistaken for bed bugs?

Other insects, such as carpet beetles, can be easily mistaken for bed bugs.

What to do if you have a bed bug infestation?

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of everything you should do once you've identified a bed bug infestation: 1. Notify your landlord or property manager. They ’ll need to work out a way to inform the rest of the tenants, mount a prevention strategy, and work with you to find a solution. 2.

What are bed bugs attracted to?

Bed bugs are attracted to the following: 1 Carbon Dioxide: Every exhale produces carbon dioxide. When sleeping, we tend to take deeper, slower breaths. That produces a steady carbon dioxide source. 2 Blood: We all have it, and bed bugs feed on it. 3 Warmth: Our bodies are generally warmer than our environment. At night, bodies provide a nice source of warmth for bed bugs, especially as the temperature drops.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are small, brown insects that most commonly take refuge in the beds of unsuspecting homeowners and renters. They typically feed on human or animal blood during the night hours. One of the first signs of an infestation is small red bumps anywhere on the body that mature into itchy welts.

How do bed bugs spread?

Bed bugs are spread when they are carried from place to place by humans or when other sources of sustenance are available in close proximity. If you know of an infestation, it's crucial to inform others. That way, they can take preventative measures by spraying barrier chemicals to prevent the spread.

Why do people get bed bugs?

There's a cultural stigma surrounding bed bug infestations. Many people believe that they’re caused by a lack of hygiene or general uncleanliness. However, bed bugs are just as likely to infest the cleanest of houses as they are the dirtiest.

Do bed bugs eat blood?

Blood: We all have it, and bed bugs feed on it.

Should landlords inform other tenants about bed bugs?

Generally, after informing your landlord, they’ll take the appropriate measures to inform other tenants about the infestation. You can ask that identifying information be left off the notice. Additionally, landlords should work to emphasize that cleanliness does not impact one's ability to get bed bugs. Stigma aside, it's better to let people know, to help prevent the spread of the infestation in an apartment building or multi-unit home.

How to tell if an apartment is infested with bed bugs?

Another way of telling whether an apartment is infested with bed bugs is by looking for their shells and molted skins. Molting is the process by which bed bugs shed their outer exoskeleton. The egg shells and molted skins are usually located where the bed bugs aggregate.

What does it mean when you have tiny white spots in your apartment?

The presence of tiny white spots in the sheltered areas of the apartment might be an indicator of the presence of bed bugs in the apartment. These tiny white spots might be bed bug eggs.

Can you inspect an apartment before moving in?

If you really want to have peace of mind, you can inspect the apartment yourself before moving in. But first, you will need to understand bed bug behavior. This will increase your chances of detecting a bed bug invasion in the apartment.

Can dogs detect bed bugs?

Dogs have been used to detect a wide variety of things including bombs, drugs, fugitives, termites, and mold. Bed bugs release pheromones. For this reason, canines can be used in the scent detection of bed bugs. There are several canine scent detection companies available that offer scent detection services for bed bugs.

Can bed bugs be spread in an apartment?

Before you move into your new apartment, you should first ask your landlord about past bed bug infections. Bed bugs can spread quite easily and they arrive in a rental property through the tenants or their guests. This makes bed bug control to be especially difficult in apartment buildings.

Do bed bugs smell like wet towels?

Bed bugs usually leave a strange sweet odor. The smell can also be musty, similar to that of a wet towel. Bed bugs release pheromones in the presence of other bed bugs. In the case of a high population of bed bugs in an apartment, the scent can be very strong. If this is the case, you should probably have the apartment inspected for bed bugs before moving in.

What to do if you have bed bugs in your apartment?

The landlord should contact a professional pest control company for advice and assistance. Complete elimination of a bed bug infestation can be difficult and may require several treatments.

How to get rid of bed bugs in a box spring?

To help with the process, Eliminate clutter. Don’t keep piles of clothes, papers, etc. on the floor, under the bed, or in closets. Wash infested bedding and clothing in hot water and dry on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes. Encase an infested mattress and box spring in a zippered cover that is certified “bed bug proof”.

How do bed bugs spread?

They are excellent hitchhikers and are spread by moving furniture, clothing or other belongings from one place to another. Here’s how to protect yourself: Adult bed bugs are about ¼ inch long; young bed bugs are quite small and may be clear in color; Bed bugs do not fly or jump, but do crawl very fast.

What are the red spots on my bed?

red itchy welts on skin that is exposed while sleeping; small black or rusty-colored spots on bed linens , pillows, or mattresses; live bed bugs, eggs, and cast skins. Inspect for Bed Bugs. Look for live bed bugs, eggs, or blood spots on mattresses, box springs, headboards, upholstered furniture, papers, backpacks, gym bags, and curtains.

Can bed bugs be reported?

Bed bug infestations can happen to anyone. Do not be reluctant to discuss a possible infestation because of embarrassment. It is important to report the infestation to management. The earlier it is addressed, the more likely it can be quickly controlled.

What to do if you have bed bugs in your apartment?

From there, you can take the necessary steps to protect your interest. If your landlord fails to take action, you can tap the help of a lawyer.

How do bed bugs spread in an apartment?

There’s a myriad of possibilities on how bed bugs transfer from one unit to another. The first way is literally entering your door. By simply traveling on foot, bed bugs can reach a new unit in a matter of days. Another possible bed bug vehicle is hand-me-down furniture.

How long do you have to leave an apartment after bed bug treatment?

The exterminator may recommend that you vacate the premises for a few days until the treatment has settled. In some cases when the bed bug infestation is widespread, the landlord may decide to have the whole building treated in one go.

What is a flat body bed bug?

Bed bugs that haven’t fed yet will have a flat and oval body. Unlike other insect pests, they are wingless and they can’t jump.

How fast do bed bugs travel?

Bed bugs travel at an average of three to four feet per minute. It will only take weeks for the bugs to spread on different floors and faster within the units on specific floors. Take note that bed bugs are very resilient pests and they can survive up to 18 months without feeding.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are nocturnal bloodsuckers that will pester your home. These pests don’t spare kids and even pets.

Where do bed bugs hide?

Also, bed bugs tend to hide in places where humans stay during the night. It’s the reason why they are commonly found in mattresses, headboards, nightstands, and pieces of furniture that stand near your bed. The biggest challenge with a bed bug infestation is if it occurs in an apartment building.

States With No Bed Bug Laws Protecting Tenants Rights

A whopping 39 states out of 50 states in the US don’t have bed bug laws protecting tenants.

States With The Best Bug Laws Protecting Tenants Rights

In our opinion, out of the 11 states, Texas has the best bed bug laws protecting tenants’ rights.

How Can The Landlord Prove That You, As A Tenant, Brought In Bed Bugs

Given the higher costs of lawsuits, many landlords keep a record that confirms that there were no bed bugs till the tenants moved in.

Can You, As A Tenant, Break The Lease Due To Bed Bugs

You might if you can prove that there were bed bugs before you moved into the apartment.

How To Check If Your New Apartment Has Bed Bugs Before You Move In

It’s always a best idea to check the new apartment for bed bugs, and other invasive pests like roaches and termites before you move in.

What If You Move In And After A Few Days You Find Bed Bugs?

If you live in one of the 11 states that have bed bug laws protecting tenant rights, then you can send a written notice to the landlord along with proof of bed bug presence.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, 39 states don’t have laws that protect tenants’ rights when they unknowingly move into an apartment with a bed bug infestation.

What To Do If There Are Bed Bugs in Your Apartment

The things you do the minute you believe that your apartment is harboring bed bugs can spell the difference between going back to having a normal life once again and living with an infestation for weeks or months.

In Case the Landlord Refuses to Cooperate

Unfortunately, not all landlords on the face of the planet genuinely care about the welfare of their tenants.

Just Before You Attempt to Deal With Bed Bugs In The Apartment

Bed bugs can wreak havoc on your life in that it can keep you from having a good night’s sleep. The good news is that dealing with an infestation can be as simple as contacting a bed bug exterminating company.