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With the buzz about the 248 McKibbin Street MySpace page organizing comments about its bedbug infestation, we thought it would be a good time to visit the Bedbug City Map. The map relies on reported bedbug incidents, which are mapped by the intensity of the infestation as well - and 248 McKibbin is at the red "Help!" level.
Bedbugs are hell, no question about it. Ridding an apartment of bedbugs requires multiple fumigations and inspections by exterminators as well as patience and thousands of dollars of laundry/dry cleaning/new clothing, towels and furniture on the part of the tenant or homeowner. Last October, the NY Times published an article "Everything You Need to Know About Bedbugs But Were Afraid to Ask" with helpful information:
- Landlords are required to get rid of bedbugs within 30 days of an inspection from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (call 311)Renters should try to see if they can get negotiate for lower rents during infestations - it's worked for some. Here is the city's fact sheet on bedbugs.
- Co-op and condo owners are on their own, but "building could be responsible if, for example, bedbugs have affected multiple apartments and their source is not readily traceable"; if a unit owner is found responsible, he/she needs to immediately take action
- Bedbugs don't necessarily mean the apartment is dirty - it just means the bedbugs happened to like your warmth and CO2: "they pierce the skin and withdraw blood for about 5 minutes before retreating to a hiding place"
- "Exterminators look for tiny tar-black speckles — fecal droppings made up mostly of digested blood"
- "People searching for bedbugs do not know to look along the seams of mattresses, under box springs, behind headboards and picture frames, and even inside alarm clocks and telephones"
Another good resource is The Bedbug Registry, a database of bedbug reports in different cities as well as maps (here is the one for NYC), as is This Old House's gallery about bedbugs. Also, watch out for used mattresses and used furniture and who knew there were gummi bedbugs out there?
If you have any hints about detecting, dealing with, or worrying about bedbugs, please tell us in the comments.
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I rent in the Midtown West 50's and am experiencing my first problem with these pesky creatures. The best advice I found was DO NOT THROW EVERYTHING AWAY. It's typical that when tenants see the problem they throw out their bed, furniture, clothes, pillows etc.. While this is a code violation and landlords have a responsibility to fix the problem, it will be extremely hard to get them to reinburse you for things you throw away. Exterminators will tell you that this problem can be treated and in most cases, it can and without depeleting your own pocket much.(my expenses so far have been for LOTS of laundry and garbage bags to wrap things in)
As far as detection, monitor whether you seem to be itching regularly when in bed and/or getting bitten. If so, check your bedding regularly for those trademark tiny blood splashes. Then, DON'T PANIC just advise the landlord- they must and will get on it. If need be, just make them aware that you know this is a code violation and tenants have the right to report the problem to the city if not reconciled.
My first exterminator treatment was this week and another one or two will follow. So far, I see a difference. However, I am realistic. It has been widely documented that it takes time (and usually a few exterminator visits) to totally eliminate the problem.
I'm definately very interested to hear if anyone else has any additional thoughts on the subject.
- Itchy in Midtown
Useful information re: how to search, what to do:
Bedbugger.com's FAQs about bed bugs
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Useful info on how to search, what to do:
Bedbugger.com's useful FAQs about bed bugs
I had bedbugs a few years ago in a luxury high-rise building in midtown. The apt management sent a fumigator twice, but the bedbugs persisted. When we kept reporting this to the building, they told us they had fulfilled their obligation and were not legally bound to do anything else.
When we threatened to take them to court, they responded by telling us we can cancel our lease (half-way through the term) and move out without any penalties.
So we did just that, and left all of our furniture behind. On my lawyer friend's advice, we tried taking them to small claims court, suing for the max ($3,000 I think) to cover the lost furniture and "emotional aggravation", due to not fulfilling their responsibilities as landlords. But their lawyers were too slick and we got nothing.
All in all a frustrating, emotionally draining and time-consuming process I hope no one else has to go through. The landlords in this city, even in reputable high-rise apartments, are not going to take the financial hit for this.
I just found an infestation in my apartment.
I had blood spots on my matress, which I explained away as a consequence of shaving before bed.
Then I started finding what I thought to be ticks, so started closing my back window, close to some trees.
Anyway, I finally pulled the sheet off my bed and it's obvious now: Begbugs. Mother fucker.