As a landlord, you have many responsibilities, liabilities, and risks. Even if something is not your fault, it may still be your responsibility to correct the situation. A bed bug infestation is one of those things.
Bed bug infestations are becoming more common these days. These tiny bloodsuckers are showing up in movie theaters, hotels, schools, nursing homes and government buildings. From these locations, the bed bugs hitch a ride to the apartments, condominiums and homes of unsuspecting people – and perhaps even to one of your rental properties.
Information about bed bugs
Many people think that bed bugs only infest dirty and cluttered homes. That is 100 percent false. Bed bugs do not discriminate against anyone based on age, race, income, or degree of housekeeping. According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), bed bugs can be found in all 50 states. Infestations frequently occur in urban apartments because a highly mobile population of people live in close proximity to one another. These are ideal circumstances for bed bugs to breed and spread.
Misconceptions breed fear
Although bed bug infestations have been making more headlines recently, many people are not well informed about these tiny pests. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bed bugs are not known to spread any disease, but they may increase the risk of a secondary skin infection due to scratching. Some people may have no physical reaction to a bed bug bite. Other people may experience an allergic reaction from multiple bites that requires medical attention.
Bed bugs know they need to hide to survive. They have a slim, flat body that is perfectly suited to fit in small spaces and the creases of clothing. The bugs can go months without feeding and are typically active at night. They like to stay within eight feet of where people sleep, but they may travel up to 100 feet in a night.
Landlord responsibilities for bed bugs
The National Conference of State Legislatures provides a list of state bed bug laws. You should also be proactive about educating your tenants about bed bugs and how they spread. Most people will modify their behavior to reduce the risk of having an infestation.
Respond promptly to any questions or reported occurrences of bed bug infestations in one of your properties. Some states, like Florida, explicitly require that landlords pay to exterminate pests like bed bugs. You may not be able to prevent an infestation, but you can be prepared in advance to respond correctly.
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