A Simple Guide to Bed Bugs in Apartment Complexes
Bed bugs are pesky pests that do not spread diseases but are annoying and hard to eliminate once they have infested an apartment. Any sign of bed bug presence in the apartment can create panic. These tiny, brown insects are nocturnal. They hide in the bed frame, box springs, mattresses, and couches during the day and feed on human blood at night, leaving red bumps and itchy welts.
As bed bug infestations become more common in apartment complexes, tenants and landlords need to understand bed bugs and how to deal with an infestation.
How can an apartment get infested with bed bugs?
Bed bugs are adept hitchhikers. They can make their way into an apartment via suitcases, purses, clothing, second-hand furniture, boxes, and other belongings. In apartment complexes, bed bugs can also spread from one infested unit to another. These tiny pests can squeeze into the walls and enter adjacent rooms or apartments via plumbing lines and electrical wires.
Signs of bed bugs in an apartment
Blood stains on sheets, pillows, and clothing
Bite marks on the body
Bed bug droppings
Seeing a live or dead bed bug
Spotting bed bug eggs or shell casings
What to do if there are bed bugs in an apartment
If bed bugs are present in an apartment, it is essential to manage the infestation as soon as possible. Here are a few steps to eliminate bed bugs:
Contact the property manager
In apartment complexes, the first step is to contact property management and apprise them of the infestation. It will help notify the other units in the building and prepare an action plan to eliminate the present and avoid future infestations. For other accommodations, please call the landlord to inform them about the problem.
Hire a bed bug exterminator
Call a reliable local professional for an inspection. They will establish if a bed bug infestation is in the apartment. Also, they will explain the steps to prepare the space before proceeding with the treatment. An apartment may require several treatments to eliminate the infestation.
Prepare the apartment
Preparing the apartment is essential to get effective results from the bed bug treatment. Do the following before the technicians begin treatment:
Empty all drawers
Use a mattress protector
Leave bedding, clothing, curtains, and linens for 30 minutes in the dryer at the hottest setting and seal them tightly
Eliminate clutter
Vacuum all the nooks and crannies and place the cleaner bag in a zip-locked plastic bag
A bed bug infestation can leave the house unlivable. Consider relocating while the professionals treat the apartment for infestation.
When bed bugs are found in one apartment in the building, it is a standard practice by pest control professionals to inspect the surrounding apartments. If the surrounding units have no bed bugs, they do not require any treatment. However, bed bugs in adjacent apartments must be adequately treated. Furthermore, other apartments must be thoroughly inspected.
Safeguard the apartment from bed bugs
A bed bug infestation can happen anywhere. Report the infestation and hire an experienced bed bug exterminator to address and control the infestation as soon as possible.
Bed Bugs Arizona offers a free, in-home bed bug inspection and a one-year warranty on all bed bug services. No obligation. We specialize in apartment communities. Our fast, certified technicians provide the Pro-Treat Plus method of bed bug removal to Phoenix and surrounding cities in a 100-mile plus radius including Flagstaff, Globe, and Casa Grande. Veteran and senior discounts. Call now at (602) 962-8806.