Tips for
dealing with the unwelcome guest of bed bugs
Family and friends are packed up and ready to head back home
to their likely colder climates. You’re getting your apartment back in order
and discover what look like bed bugs. Could it be that your guests brought
unwanted pests? Unfortunately, yes.
The bed-bug epidemic continues across the country and
travelers can be unintentional culprits of bringing bed bugs.
Bed bugs are very small, the size of an apple seed, and they
are used to hiding. Check in crevices, folds of materials and between cushions.
They crawl out to feed on human blood, usually at night, and leave small bites
and often a bit of a deposit. Many people with an infestation report that’s how
they found them, by finding deposits that resemble small drops of blood in
bedding. You may also find a rash after having been bit.
When you find these pests, it’s important to treat the
problem right away and the right way.
Arizona law states that you must also notify your apartment
manager if you discover bed bugs. They will help you clean up and treat the
infestation. If you take matters into your own hands first and aren’t
successful in getting rid of them, your apartment manager may charge you for
the additional clean up.
Most apartment-management companies contract with
pest-control companies who know how to identify and treat bed bugs. You’ll have
to do some careful clean up of personal items and it’s imperative that you
follow all their instructions so you don’t see more bugs.
When guests stay with you, it’s a good idea to do a quick
review of the bedding and mattresses after a visit. A couple extra minutes can
save you time and money in the long run.