BED BUGS IN YOUR APARTMENT?  WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT AWAY…

Do You Think You’ve Got A Bed Bug Problem?

Are you…

• .       Waking up with bite marks, usually in a line or a circle?
• .       Seeing red smears or stains on your sheets, mattress or other furniture near your bed?
• .       Seeing live or dead bed bugs?
• .       Noticing bite marks on your children?

What You Can Do Right Away…

•           Pull your bed away from the wall and vacuum, vacuum and vacuum.  Remove the vacuum bag or contents, place into a sealable bag (large Ziploc), seal tightly and dispose right away;
•          Put your clothes, bedding and other items in a dryer for at least 20 minutes on HIGH heat.  Ideally, have your garments dry-cleaned (althought this can be costly);
•            Once you’ve removed your articles from the dryer, seal them in bags so that bugs cannot get back into them;
•             Call a professional exterminator and let them assess the infestation and treat accordingly;
•          Buy a “bed bug cover” for your mattress and box spring;
•          Document the infestation with photographs of the bugs, bite marks and other indicators;
•          If you have visible bite marks, seek medical attention (your family doctor, a care clinic, etc.).  Your doctor may suggest a topical cream or medication;
•          Keep copies of all your receipts (exterminators, dry-cleaning, furniture care, etc.); and
•          Contact Us to determine whether you may be able to recover your expenses and be compensated for the pain and emotional distress of dealing with this problem. 

Did You Know…

1.       Your landlord or property manager may be liable to you for monetary damages related to the bed bug infestation, especially if they knew of the problem and did nothing to address it;

2.       The City of Chicago recently passed a Bed Bug Ordinance that sets for landlord responsibilities.  The law goes into effect in December, 2013, and it holds landlords responsible as follows:

Landlord Responsibility:

a.      In any rental unit where an infestation of bed bugs is found or suspected, it is the responsibility of the landlord to:

§  Provide pest control services by a pest management professional as many times as necessary to totally eliminate the bed bug infestation.

§  Maintain a written record of the pest control measures performed by the pest management professional on the rental unit and receipts and reports prepared by the pest management professional. The record shall be open to inspection by authorized city personnel, including but not limited to employees of the departments of health and buildings.

§  Inspect and if necessary, the treatment of the two dwelling units on either side of the affected dwelling unit and the two units directly above and below the affected dwelling unit. This pattern of inspection and treatment shall be continued until no further infestation is detected.

§  Prior to inspection or treatment for bed bug infestation, the landlord shall send a written notice to the tenant of a dwelling unit being inspected or treated which advises the tenant of the tenant’s responsibilities under this section and sets forth the specific preparations required by the tenant.

3.       Even if you don’t live in the City of Chicago, you have rights under the law. CONTACT OUR OFFICE 24/7 to discuss what legal rights you may have to be compensated for your pain, inconvenience and the costs and distress that come from dealing with a bed bug infestation.

The worst thing you can do is to do nothing at all.  Contact Us Now to discuss your options.  We can be reached 24/7 by clicking here:  CONTACT US