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Do you know about the landlord's responsibility regarding bedbugs? We've had them since November, and have been told repeatedly by the landlord that they have no idea why this is happening and that there are no other bedbug reports in the building. We just found out that 5 other apartments in the building have bedbug problems, some for longer than us, and that all of us have been told we are the only ones with a problem and have been repeatedly treated by the exterminator. The landlord has paid for multiple exterminations over the months, but it now makes sense that they are coming back if they are in the walls and travelling between apartments. We have requested a meeting with the landlord and the office is refusing to meet with us and said that it is not our concern what is happening in other apartments, so they are not exactly being helpful at this time. We are in the process of writing them a letter, and consulting an attorney for advice, but also do not want to completely ruin our relationship with them, do things that would cause future difficulty in getting an apartment, or be forced to spend any more money. Help!
Thanks,
AT, East Village
Gothamist reported about the bed bug infestation just two weeks ago, so you're definitely not alone, AT. You've probably exhausted all of the home remedies, but the city Department of Health has some suggestions: 1) Wash everything in hot water and dry your bedding at the highest setting; the heat will kill the bugs. 2) Vacuum and dust all surfaces, especially if you have carpeting. 3) Over-the-counter bug sprays are fairly effective; spray down your mattress and bedding.
See also this article for som extra tips and this interview with an exterminator in Newsday.
It sounds, though, that if you've already had the exterminators in, there may not be much more you can do.
It does seem kind of sketchy that your landlord won't admit to a building-wide infestation, hence inhibiting a real solution to the problem. Additionally, the landlord has an obligation to keep your apartment vermin free (see tenant's rights: duty to repair).
So, you may be able to take legal action, but it's pretty much a guarantee that such action would strain your relationship with your landlord, and it's up to you to decide if it's worth it or not. Such action probably wouldn't harm your chances of getting an apartment in the future (and if the bed bug problem persists, you may need to find a new place to live soon anyway), but if that worries you, be upfront with future landlords that action was taken because of a bug problem.
Related: What to do about maintenance emergencies and more neglectful landlords.
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i just found out i have bedbugs. i live in an apt building on the 10th floor and have no idea where they came from. i had the exterminator come yesterday, and when i returned home and began to vacuum, i saw that the bedbugs were still alive. I phoned the exterminator and was told it can take 24 hrs for the spray to work. Well, its been 36 hrs, and i have discovered they are still alive!!!!!! I am thoroughly disgusted and my skin is constantly crawling. I live in Canada what are my rights as a tenent? Is my landlord responsible for exterminator fees?
I am leaving all the lights on in my apt at night in hopes to deter these little bastards from coming out. My laundry is washed and bagged and currently sitting in my car. Please help me if u can answer any of my concerns. Thank You.
Sarah
I just found ONE single bedbug in my bed after several nights of being bitten......Are bedbugs like roaches? If you see one that means there are millions? I have had no blood spots on my bedding, nor have I seen any more bedbugs. I know I have to treat my home now, but how grossed out should I be?
I live in Stuyvesant Town, NYC and my family has been getting bitten to shreds by bugs. Are there any other afflicted people hailing from Stuyvesant Town? Of course management says that no one else has complained.
I just had to move my mother from a infested apt. in framingham,ma.. She was thinking she had hives when we discovered her apt. was infested! Every apt. was come to find out.We ended up throwing almost every thing away. they were in her books, all her saved memories everywhere. We moved her out with out 30 days notice. The landlord will not give her security deposit back. This may go to court.
For those of you who are looking for a real solution I have good news for you. I live with those little creatures for almost four months, and I was as desperate as most of you who ever passed through that experience. Everyone said I should throw away my furniture, and nearly say goodbye my old life. I just wasn't prepared for that. I tried almost everything else, but nothing worked. Worst of all I became allergic to pesticides, which by the way, failed as well. Just when I think I should indeed get rid of my entire life, somehow I came to know of this product, Kleen Free. I put a link to it. You'll see the difference in the first night, and you'll get rid of those bastards completely in less than two weeks. The best part is that is natural and incredibly cheap compared to other products. I wish the best to everyone!
Mario
Tim - I had the same question. I don't know if I'd recognize a bedbug as such and am wondering if a single sighting = billions hidden away. Shiver.
I've recently returned to Tokyo after 6 months living on the Upper West Side. Shortly after our return, two of the three members of my family as well as one houseguest have been bitten hundreds of times. I have searched high and low and have yet to see one of these bugs! However, I did once find what I thought was a tick in my bed in nyc. I now realize that it was probably a bedbug. My question is, since there are absolutely no signs of the bugs here in TK, could it be something else, like mites or what they have here-tatami bugs (dani) that are supposedly microscopic? I have no tatami in my house. The bites are usually in clusters and around the armpit, waistband, behind the knee, bikini line, and front side of the elbow, with a few others scattered about. They are mostly on the right side of the body. Is this typical of the bedbug bites? Does anyone have any experience with dust mites, etc?
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