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November 3, 2009
Bed Bug Early Detection
I recently signed a lease on an apartment. After signing the lease, I discovered that the building has bed bugs (I checked the wrong address before signing the lease). From the posting on the bed bug registry, it seems that the complaint is about the specific apartment that I will be moving into.
I will be moving in 3 weeks, and I am thinking perhaps cleaning, while the apartment is empty, is the best option. I am worried though that no matter what I do to the individual apartment, it won't be enough. Money is always a consideration, so I will probably be doing the cleaning myself.
Should I mop the floors (hardwood) and walls with rubbing alcohol?
Should I demand the landlord repaint the entire apartment?
Should I buy plastic covers for my bed and couch? (ugh $150 for a quality cover)
Since there is only one complaint on the registry, all of this is somewhat hearsay. I will try to inspect and find bedbugs in the floor boards, but not sure I would be able to find them even if they are there. I think the apartment has been vacant for about 4-5 months. Any other places I should check?
Any advice that people can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Comments
If it were me I would probably talk to the landlord and negotiate for one of those bedbug sniffing dogs to come and screen the place. I think Assured Environments and Bell Environmental are the two local companies who have these dogs. They are pretty amazing, trained just like drug sniffing dogs. It's a few hundred bucks so not to be undertaken lightly, but if I were the LL I would probably be willing to shell out ... if indeed there was a past bedbug issue in the apartment, he'll need peace of mind about it as much as you will.
Posted by: StuyMom at November 3, 2009 5:27 PM
second the sniffing dog point. The dog visit costs ~$200-300. Much cheaper then try to get rid of the bugs latter.
Posted by: bobjohn at November 3, 2009 9:49 PM
Definitely a landlord, and not a tenant, issue. (Particularly if they're there before you take occupancy.) Your LL should *want* to take care of this, because bedbugs can easily spread from apt to apt, and they need to be taken care of by an experienced bedbug exterminator. Definitely don't try to do this yourself-- you'll be setting yourself up for fruitless work and a scenario that could be costly and aggravating for you once you move in.
Posted by: 12345 at November 4, 2009 7:11 AM
My question is if you confronted the new LL about the bedbug claims already made about that apartment? If the apt has been vacant for that amount of time, perhaps he already knew and addressed the problem? You never know until you discuss with him/her.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at November 4, 2009 8:51 AM
Well, I spoke with the LL and he said that they "cleaned it up real good" and that it wasn't even in the apartment that I am moving into. I am a little skeptical, but I understand it is in his best interest to clean it up, so I guess I will take his word for it. Or hire a bedbug sniffing dog on my own.
Thx for the advice everyone.
Posted by: wickbush at November 4, 2009 12:32 PM
I would not accept the LL word "I cleaned it up real good." Legally, the LL will ultimately be responsible for the treatment and removal of bedbugs. It is also nothing that you or he can do on your own. Get the bedbug sniffing dog. They are 94% accurate while a trained PCO is only 40% accurate.
Something you can do is use caulk to seal the trim at the ceiling and floor. Throughout but especially the bedroom(s). Bedbugs can go more than a year between feeding so the vacant state of the apartment should not be reassuring.
www.doctorbedbug.com
Posted by: DoctorBedBug at November 4, 2009 1:15 PM
GET the bedbug sniffing dog
it's piece of mind to you that your new apt will be clear of bugs
good luck!
Posted by: gemini10 at November 4, 2009 1:46 PM
Go to your landlord armed with statistics about how long bedbugs can hide out in a vacant apartment - I can't remember the answer but you should google it. It might be a year or more. He should really cover the cost of the dog himself, but if he balks at that, propose that you each pay for half of it. On the other hand, it's a renter's market right now and you would have no trouble finding another place, so maybe you just don't need this hassle! Mr. "I Cleaned It Real Good" doesn't sound like a prize.
Posted by: StuyMom at November 4, 2009 10:09 PM
agree with the other commentators that this is a LL issue. i would not move all my stuff in there without assurance that there are no bed bugs. get the dog and maybe have him fumigate or whatever just to be on the safe side. it will be much easier to do this while the place is empty. if you move in and god forbid it has bed bugs you will have a huge mess.
Posted by: grilledsardine at November 5, 2009 8:33 AM
bedbugs can remain dormant for up to 18 months. they hide in cracks and crevices in your flooring and walls. they hide in electrical outlets, etc. they will not be visible during the day. I would definitely get a dog for peace of mind.
Posted by: CHM at November 5, 2009 11:38 AM
I had the same situation and before this becomes a headache, nightmare, etc. take the necessary measures of ensuring that the apt has been thoroughly exterminated. Ask the LL for a receipt from the exterminator that it was exterminated. Obviously they have to pay someone to do it so they should have an invoice. make sure its detailed and get the number of the exterminator from the invoice and call them yourself to make sure they did your apt. When you move in, make sure you check thoroughly. At night take a flashlight and business card or credit card and scrape the floor boards to pull out any BB's that are hiding there. Alcohol can only kill BB's on the spot, its not a lasting solution. trust me when I tell u to confirm everything because BB's are a life altering situation. regular cleanings or even roach spray does not kill them. A professinal has special chemicals that kill.
Posted by: BrooklyNights at November 6, 2009 10:01 AM
Hi,
I am starting work with a bed bug dog in the Metro NY area and would gladly come to your apartment free of charge. Let me know if you are interested at lbrowning@discoverydogs.net. Thanks and good luck.
Posted by: Lee Browning at November 19, 2009 10:36 AM
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