Do Bed Bugs Need to Be Reported?
WouterIf you suspect that your property has bed bugs, you should contact your landlord and get the infestation checked out by a certified pest control company. The company will do a thorough inspection of the property and determine the severity of the infestation. You should also give proper notice to tenants and work with them to develop a plan for access and control. Tenants are required to comply with the landlord’s rules and regulations regarding bed bugs.
If your landlord does not respond to your requests, you should report the infestation to your local housing resource for assistance. While it is rare to be evicted for bed bugs, landlords may hold you responsible for their presence if you fail to remove them. In addition, renters’ insurance may not cover the cost of eradicating bed bugs.
If you suspect that your unit has bedbugs, you need to investigate every unit in your building, including the units above and adjacent to the infected unit. You also need to thoroughly inspect common areas to ensure they are not also infested. Then, you need to hire a pest management professional who is certified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The professional must take all steps necessary to eliminate the infestation and keep a record of all actions taken.
If you suspect you have bedbugs in your home, you should contact a licensed pest control service. You can also file a complaint online or by calling 311 to have your property treated. You can also do your part by sealing cracks in your home and putting up bedbug traps on furniture. Lastly, you should protect your mattress with a protective bedbug cover.
