New Apartment? We Have a Bed Bug Checklist

Moving into a new apartment is thrilling. You’ve got a space all to yourself that you can decorate however you like, not to mention cooking whatever you want to and living how you please. However, there are some potential concerns when moving into an apartment as well. You could be dealing with repairs, an unpleasant landlord, or even bed bugs. Never fear- Bed Bug Barbeque has a checklist for you so you can ensure that you’re starting your life in your apartment bed bug-free.

Step One: Know the Laws

Before you even move in, take a look at the laws regarding bed bugs in apartments. In most places, landlords, not tenants, are responsible for removing bed bugs. However, this depends on your area and who’s responsible for the bed bug infestation in the first place. Unfortunately, if you brought the bed bugs into the apartment, you may end up being responsible for the cost of the bed bug treatment to remove them. If a former tenant brought in the bed bugs and left them behind, the landlord will most likely be responsible for eradicating them. Do some research on the laws in your area.

Step Two: Be Cautious About Your Furniture

One of the most important things you can do to prevent bed bugs from ruining your homecoming is being very careful about your furniture and where you’re getting it. Furniture, especially upholstered furniture, is a great hiding place for bed bugs. If possible, try to avoid purchasing secondhand furniture from places such as Goodwill or off of Facebook Marketplace or Letgo. You don’t really know the history of the home that furniture came from, so it’s just safer to avoid those sources altogether. Secondhand furniture from people you know is okay, just be sure to ask about past bed bug problems in the home before bringing the furniture to your apartment. Take precautions with movers as well. Try to avoid using moving blankets if at all possible, since they can be hiding spots for bed bugs, which can then get into your furniture. 

Step Three: Know the Signs of Bed Bugs

Knowledge is power. It’s important to know the signs of bed bugs so that you can easily spot them before they become a major problem. The biggest sign to look out for is dark or rust-colored spots on surfaces in your home. This could be bed bug feces. If you see any live bugs moving around, they could be bed bugs also- although it’s entirely possible that they’re a different type of bug. Either way, live bugs are something you should let your landlord know about. Also, if you’re waking up with small, red, itchy bites, particularly in lines or groups of three or more, you could have a bed bug problem.

Step Four: Preventative Measures Against Bed Bugs

There are some measures you can take to prevent bed bugs in your apartment. For one thing, vacuuming regularly is a good idea anyways- but it can also help suck up bed bugs that might be hiding in your apartment. Be advised that vacuuming isn’t going to take care of an entire infestation by itself, so if you already have a large-scale bed bug problem, don’t just try to vacuum it away. However, regular vacuuming can help in cases where one or two bed bugs sneak into your home or apartment. 

Bed Bug Barbeque is Here For You.

As the world changes rapidly around us, many things are confusing and scary. We want you to know that the team at Bed Bug Barbeque is still here for you in these unprecedented times. If you think you have bed bugs or are interested in a home heat sanitation treatment, contact Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC in Lakewood, Ohio! We use heat treatment to eradicate bed bugs and we offer entire home sanitation heat treatments. This safe, effective treatment is completed in less than 12 hours, and Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC offers a 60-day warranty for you to verify for yourself that your bed bugs are fully eradicated.  Though we are currently closed in compliance with Ohio’s Stay at Home Order, you can still contact Bed Bug Barbeque, LLC today for a FREE quote at (216) 221-1227 or through our website, and check out our other bed bug informational resources on identification, prevention, and eradication.