wickbush's Profile

  • 2009
  • Brooklyn
  • Bushwick
  • Rental
  • Male

Author's Posts

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.

Posted in Forum by wickbush at 5:16 PM | Comments (12)
Categories: Exterminator

Author's Comments

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 in response to Bed Bug Early Detection

Responses to Author's Forum Comments

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 in response to Bed Bug Early Detection

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 in response to Bed Bug Early Detection

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 in response to Bed Bug Early Detection

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 in response to Bed Bug Early Detection

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 in response to Bed Bug Early Detection

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 in response to Bed Bug Early Detection

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 in response to Bed Bug Early Detection