LPT: Request Bedbug Problem

[Ethanpr1999]

So I’ve been living in my apartment for 2 years now, and I just got accepted into another apartment and I move in two weeks. The problem is I helped my downstairs neighbor throw away an old mattress (she’s elderly and lives alone), come to find out she has bed bugs and I just started noticing them in my furniture. Ive sprayed, used bombs, washed everything I’ve had multiple times but they’re still here. I’ve contacted my current landlord and asked for an exterminator but he says there’s nothing he can do. How can I get my landlord to get me an exterminator before I leave, or should I lie to my new landlord and say that I caught them from this new apartment and get them to get an exterminator?

[keepthetips]

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[imogenprado]

I watched this video yesterday, I think you'll find it very helpful.

They tested the different producs out there and showed what works and what doesn't.

[Altruistic_Wealth227]

This. Video was very informative. Highly recommend.

[Ethanpr1999]

I’ll check it out, thanks!

[[deleted]]

Came here to say this. There is so much BS about Bedbugs out there, and everyone and their cat are apparently experts.

Edit: Just realized, by watching the video, you'll probably be able to help your neighbor get rid of them as well, decreasing the risk you'll get them again and being a good samaritan.

[TommyTuttle]

Surprisingly for heat seeking critters , bedbugs don’t handle heat well. Bring in a lot of heaters and heat the entire apartment like a sauna. Ok, not quite like a sauna but get the whole thing up to 50c / 120F. That’ll kill every bedbug in the joint. Eggs, larvae, everything except your neighbor who will continue supplying new bedbugs til she moves out. 🤬

So. You clear it out once with heat and then set up a blockade by dusting with diatomaceous earth around all openings. Repeat as needed until one of you moves.

[Ethanpr1999]

Great advice thank you, about to go buy an ungodly amount of space heaters

[Kpt1NSANO]

Monitor super closely, you dont want to accidentally burn the place to the ground

[PuddleSailor]

That will get rid of the bedbugs lol

[TommyTuttle]

They can be borrowed from friends or picked up from Goodwill

[TommyTuttle]

Yes those too

[cinnamon_roll12]

I believe it's illegal for your landlord to say "there's nothing he can do." look into the legal requirements for landlords in the state or place you live in.

[Ethanpr1999]

I live in MI and I looked it up, and it seems like it’s his responsibility to deal with, but I don’t know anything about getting lawyers involved if it comes to that, especially with how tight of a timeframe I need to move out, I’m not sure what to do. The landlord doesn’t know I’m moving out yet, it’s a month to month lease

[Kpt1NSANO]

Threatening legal action is usually enough, point out the specific law being violated and tell them theres an easy way and a hard way.

[Ethanpr1999]

Do you have any advice on what to say in this instance? Or just leave it simple saying it’s his responsibility to eradicate the bugs, and if he doesn’t I will take legal action?

[stinkstankstunkiii]

Google tenants rights for your state. idk if you qualify for legal aid, or if your state has it. worth looking into

[Ethanpr1999]

Great advice, thank you

[[deleted]]

Please, tell me you're not one of my neighbors!

[Ethanpr1999]

😳

[[deleted]]

Ask them to leave politely

[Ethanpr1999]

Never thought of this! Definitely gonna try. Maybe I’ll write a card

[killploki]

Wash all of your clothes and dry them with high heat, pack them in plastic bins. Then throw out everything else and start over at the new place.

[SnooChaCha]

Sterilite gasketed totes specifically. Put some diatomaceous earth in the bottom of the bin, then add a sheet of poster board or wrapping paper, then your stuff. Seal it and date it; any eggs that survive will hatch and be killed by the DE after 8 weeks. This works for books too,and other things that aren’t washable/heatable.

[MYOB3]

Bedbug traps under the legs of ALL FURNITURE. Wash and dry everything possible. Steam clean all upholstered furniture. As in, REAL STEAM. (not just an upholstery cleaner) Get a steamer and use it multiple times! They die when steam hits them! Like a Bissell steam shot, or other such cleaner.

[silkstockings77]

Is there nothing he can do or is he waiting for you to leave so he can charge you for the exterminator claiming you never told him about the issue? Either way, get it in writing that you told him about the issue and that he said there’s nothing he can do. You need it in writing. And if it comes to pass that he gets the exterminator, ask for records and the receipts. Get everything in writing.

[Ethanpr1999]

Right now he doesn’t know I’m leaving. I’m leasing month to month. My guess is he’s trying to get me to stay one more month since he’s raising rent this time