Some states and municipalities have created bed bug laws to help protect both the landlord and the tenant. Many tenants and landlords often find the task of getting rid of a bed bug infestation to be a difficult one for a variety of reasons. Once bed bugs are discovered, it’s important that both parties work together in order to combat these tenacious critters.
For example…when bed bugs are present in a multi-unit dwelling, landlords should be required to treat the entire building at one time. Failure to do so will allow the bed bugs to escape to neighboring units where they will continue to proliferate. Tenants and condo or townhouse unit owners should be required to follow the specific pre-treatment plans that are provided by the pest control professional. Failure to follow the plan provided will eliminate any possibility of the bed bugs being able to be eradicated fully.
When a bed bug infestation occurs in a multi-unit dwelling, landlords are often quick to blame the tenants for not preparing their homes properly for the pest control treatment. Tenants often complain that landlords only provide treatment to the units that are known to have bed bug infestations.
The fact remains that bed bugs will remain in an apartment, condo, or townhouse type of building unless all residents and the landlord work together to combat the little vampires. Local legislators can help both parties by enacting laws that spell out exact guidelines that must be followed as well. Many strains of modern day bed bugs have built up a resistance to some insecticides that are used in the eradication process. It takes a combination of efforts to win the war against the stealthy bed bug. It’s time to end the blame game and work together!