What's the Law for Landlords With Bed Bugs in the Building?

Landlords or property managers dealing with bed bugs may have more on their plate than they originally bargained for. NYC bed bug law expert, Timothy Wenk of Shafer Glazer LLP, shares with M&M Environmental his take on the law for landlords when it comes to bed bugs.

Thank you Timothy Wenk for offering such helpful answers to all of these "pesty" issues.

Tenants With Bed Bugs: Know Your Rights

Timothy Wenk of Shafer Glazer, LLP has carved out quite a niche for himself as one of NYC's leading authorities on bed bugs and the law. Here he explains what tenants need to know when dealing with bed bugs.

Thank you Mr. Wenk for taking the time to share your expertise with M&M Environmental.

Gale Brewer: Lobbying for Bed Bug Laws in NYC

Upper West Side Council Member Gale Brewer has been spearheading New York City's fight against bed bugs for the past four years.

Here she shares with M&M Environmental the latest updates on what the city has been doing to solve this growing problem.

We'll be posting details about Council Member Brewer's up-coming bed bug forums soon, so stay tuned so you can get involved.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs In The Building: A Group Effort

With a population of 8 million, the last thing New York City residents want is extra unexpected roommates, especially the kind that bite at night.

Here is one former co-op board president's story of what she and her neighbors did when they found bed bugs in their building.

Thanks from M&M Environmental to Maralyn for sharing her story with us (and glad to know it had a happy ending).

Bed Bugs In The News

The most recent place to find these sleep-depriving creatures is...in the newspaper? The New York Times published two different articles about these "skin crawling nuisances" in their Health and Business sections this week, raising some interesting issues about bed bugs.

Sleeping With The Enemy tells us that,

"[T]he bed bug boom has attracted fraudulent exterminators peddling money-wasting treatments that do not work."

When choosing an exterminator, make sure to do your research. Check up on a what people are saying by reading online user reviews. Make sure the pest control company answers all of your questions thoroughly about how they plan on solving your problem.

"Some companies use specially trained dogs that can sniff out bed bugs and their eggs. Well-trained dogs can be amazingly accurate, letting you know exactly where the bugs are so you can concentrate your efforts in those problem areas...If you go this route, ask about the dog’s credentials. You want to hear that the animal was trained at a certified facility that prepares dogs for jobs that include bomb and drug sniffing."

Make sure to ask whether or not that dog (and his handlers) have diploma from a third party certifying service. Our bed bug detecting dog, Champ, was trained and certificied at the National Entomology Scent Detection Canine Academy (NESDCA) in Florida, where he was trained to sniff out live bed bugs and viable eggs.

"Check to see that the company you hire and the technician who is coming to your home are licensed in your state. To find your state’s licensing agency, check with the National Pesticide Information Center’s Web site, http://npic.orst.edu/state1.htm. Also check the Better Business Bureau for any complaints filed against the exterminators you are considering."

Research, research, research! The next article talks about running into bed bugs while traveling, pointing out truths like,

"Yes, bed bugs are back — not just in apartment buildings, but also in hospitals and hotels and motels...They like to lurk in bedding and even in headboards. Like movie vampires, they are active in the dead of night."

Arming yourself with knowledge on how to inspect for bed bugs will help keep encounters with these critters to a minimum while traveling. The awareness for bed bugs continues to grow.

"The New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association, for example, whose members include 1,000 hotels and other lodgings properties, scheduled a Web seminar on bed bugs for late this month. Its president, Dan Murphy, called it a “proactive” initiative for members who “want to learn more about how to spot, treat and cope with” bed bugs."