We believe one of our buildings has a bed bug infestation.

We believe one of our buildings has a bed bug infestation. We are having the common areas sprayed and each apartment inspected, but don't necessarily want to tell the tenants why. Has anyone ever had this issue? If so, do you have a notice you used? Any help/recommendations would be appreciated.

So what you're saying is that you're scheduling your Semi-annual routine preventative treatment? Cool. I appreciate that you're being pro-active to ensure your community remains pest-free.

FYI: the adjacent units should be treated with a hormone disruptor at a minimum. This keeps them from molting, which they do several times before adulthood, and will control any strays that might have or might will migrate over. Of course, if, during inspection, you find evidence of infestation in an adjacent apartment, then the tenant must go thru the whole drill. I did not tell tenants the particular pest the treatment was for when this treatment was needed on my property. No way. My rental is in a small town. The rumor mill never forgets or forgives. A friendship even ended when someone felt they deserved to know the reason and I refused to tell.

I would be honest, you don’t have to be super forthcoming, just that the units need to be inspected as this is a common risk of home dwelling and that you are trying to be proactive. If the truth does come out and you withheld your true intentions behind pest control entering their unit, you will lose the trust by your residents and that’s almost impossible to ever get back.

Why don’t you want to tell? Honest is key.

Kristina Janis Honesty can kill an apartment property's reputation in this situation.

If you have bedbugs, then you have bedbugs.  This is not an issue with the building; a resident or guest brought them in.  You cannot treat and get rid of bedbugs in a unit without the resident knowing.

If you have bed bugs in a unit.
1. Tenant must wash all clothing in hot water and bag the clothes, and preferably keep them off-site until treatment is done.
2. Pest control must treat the unit and furniture.  (This can be with heat or pesticides)
3. Pest control will probably need to re-treat every 2 weeks for three treatments.
4. Go with a pest control company/operator that guarantees their work.
5. The cost a few years ago in Rockford, IL was $400-$600/unit.

You may not want to disclose this to residents, but some local regulations require it.

Be proactive and tell your residents that this was discovered, you are treating it with a licensed pest control company, and be done with it.

If you know which unit has them, take steps to charge them back.  We have it in our lease that the tenant is responsible for bedbugs.

Bed bugs happen where you have couch surfers or world travelers.  I'm guessing your residents are more the couch surfing crowd!

Good luck!

 

As a former Property Manager for almost 37 years, bedbug infestation can be a real headache. In this business, the term Preventive Maintenance is a phrase residents are familiar with. I would use the term "Preventive Extermination".
I don't like giving out information or tips without being compensated, but I hope this helps.

Rosemary Banks, ARM
Maryland Writer - Author - Content Writer - Copywriter - 20747

www.linkedin.com/in/rosemary-banks-78562ba