The responsibility for getting rid of bed bugs generally falls upon the person at fault for introducing them to the apartment complex. But, since that is often difficult to determine, the landlord needs to take on the responsibility.
Key Takeaways on California's Bed Bug Laws
Tenants need to report suspected infestations to landlords in writing within 2-5 days of first signs. Landlords must arrange professional pest control treatment within defined time limits when bed bugs are confirmed.
Bed bugs are not caused by poor hygiene or bad housekeeping. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease. Adult bed bugs are around 4-7 mm long, about the size of a lady bug. They are gray or brown in color, but turn red after finishing a blood meal.
So, what is the main cause of bed bugs? Travel is widely recognized as the most common source of bed bug infestations. Often unbeknownst to the traveler, bed bugs will hitchhike on people, clothing, luggage, or other personal belongings and be accidentally transported to other properties.
Homeowners do not need to quarantine themselves after being exposed to bed bugs, as these pests do not pose a health risk to humans. Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, so there is no medical reason for quarantine.
You shouldn't have to throw away any of your possessions during a bed bug infestation. Everything can be salvaged with proper treatment in place. Instead of tossing your clothes and bedding, you should try washing them in a hot water wash. High heat washing and drying consistently kills bed bugs and their eggs.
Pyrethroids are synthetic chemical insecticides that act like pyrethrins. Both compounds are lethal to bed bugs and can flush bed bugs out of their hiding places and kill them.
It can be difficult to eliminate bed bugs, but it's not impossible. Don't throw out all of your things because most of them can be treated and saved. Throwing stuff out is expensive, may spread the bed bugs to other people's homes and could cause more stress.
Blood Orange Oil
This essential oil is proven to be one of the most effective solutions when bed bugs are the matter as it can kill the pest successfully.
Bedbug infestations rarely go away on their own; they need special care and treatment for them to be appropriately eradicated. Left unchecked, bedbugs live a long life within their favourable environment, having a high survival rate by reproducing and quickly moving on to neighbouring homes or apartments.
Encase mattresses and box springs in protective plastic covers. Vacuum frequently, especially in areas near where you sleep. Cut down on clutter in your home, which will eliminate some hiding places for bed bugs. If you live in an apartment or other shared housing, try to close off your unit.
According to California landlord law, landlords must maintain their property safe for all of their tenants. Bed bugs are certainly not safe critters to have in your home and so if your apartment has or had bed bugs, your landlord may be liable.
If you can prove the bed bugs came from work, you are entitled to seek payment for any medical claims through workers compensation.
As soon as tenants discover a bed bug infestation, they must inform the landlord, regardless of who the leasing contract says is responsible for the treatment. If the landlord is certain that there was no infestation prior to tenants moving in, it means that renters arrange the treatment.
Tea tree oil, renowned for its antibacterial properties, is like a natural bug repellent that bed bugs can't stand. Peppermint oil, with its invigorating minty freshness, overwhelms their acute senses. And eucalyptus oil, known for its refreshing aroma, is a formidable deterrent against these tiny intruders.
If bed bugs have one weakness, it's that they're intolerant of extremely high or low temperatures. Washing clothes and bedding at the highest possible setting followed by drying for at least 30 minutes at high heat should do the trick. You can also freeze clothing or other objects you suspect of being infested.
While some people believe that the strong smell of VapoRub might repel bed bugs, there is no reliable data to support this claim.
As they move to and from the human host, fecal droplets fall off the backside of the bed bug. Densely populated harborage sites also contain heavy fecal staining. Over time, it becomes thick and even has a semi-sweet, bug smell for aggregation. It is a bad infestation if you can smell this odor.
Bed bugs are sensitive to strong smells and certain scents can help keep them away. Essential oils like lavender, tea tree and peppermint are popular choices. These oils not only smell good but also act as natural repellents.
Essential oils. While essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and peppermint are popularly recommended for DIY bed bug treatments due to their strong scents and supposed insect-repellent properties, there is not much scientific evidence to support their effectiveness in eradicating bed bug infestations.
Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids: These are among the most common insecticides used against bed bugs. Pyrethrins, derived from chrysanthemum flowers, kill bed bugs on contact, while synthetic pyrethroids provide longer-lasting effects.
Vacuum sides and seams of mattresses, box springs and furniture. Empty the vacuum or the bag immediately and dispose of outside in a sealed container or bag. Wash sheets, pillow cases, blankets and bed skirts and put them in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes.