Let’s talk about the most irksome problem for property managers and renters to deal with, bedbugs. Bedbugs are most prevalent in apartment and condominium buildings which means that property managers need to familiarize themselves with how to navigate this issue.
Understanding Bed Bugs
First, let’s take a look at how bed bugs operate. Bed bugs are attracted to the heat, odor and carbon monoxide that humans emanate and feed on human blood however they will feed on any warm blooded animal, including pets. Where there are people, there is potential for bed bugs.
These little buggers can live for up to a year without feeding which means that once they have fed they burrow into clothes, luggage and furniture often traveling with their host from hotel rooms to their new home or on sold furniture. They travel, often undetected. There are many ways for them to enter an apartment complex and condominium building. The more tenants there are, the chances of one of them bringing bed bugs goes up.
They can spread, still undetected, quickly from unit to unit and create a large scale infestation that catches residents and property managers off guard. For this reason, it is advisable to have a professional do proactive and regular bed bug inspections. Also, educate residents on how to detect the presence of bed bugs. The sooner they are caught, the easier they are to eradicate.
Signs of Bed Bugs
- Bed bugs are small and hard to see, their bodies are flat and round and range in length from 2-3 millimeters. They are brown in general, however are reddish if they have fed recently. Remove any bugs found, immediately and save one for a professional to identify.
- Bedbugs hide out in cracks around beds, couches and other frequently used furniture. They burrow into the lining of textiles such as blankets, sheets, pillows, clothes and mattresses.
- Bedbugs leave behind clues when they defecate. Look for rust colored, small stains that indicate that the bugs are present. Bedbugs are more active at night and feed on the host when they are asleep, generally. If residents are waking up with small red bumps on their skin call a professional bug exterminator immediately.
- Bedbugs shed clear skin sleeves during reproduction and there is a presence of a sweet, musty odor. This is a bad sign that an infestation is on it’s way as nymphs are developed.
As a property manager, it is vital to takes complaints of bed bugs seriously and act immediately to keep your reputation intact and your renters comfortable. Prevention is the best option, regular inspections can prevent a full scale infestation. If bedbugs are present in your building, resolve the issue as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Do not try to eradicate the bugs on your own, they are complex and difficult to kill and require professionals who have a good reputation and experience in As a property manager, it is vital to takes complaints of bed bugs seriously and act immediately to keep your reputation intact and your renters comfortable. Prevention is the best option, regular inspections can prevent a full scale infestation. If bedbugs are present in your building, resolve the issue as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Do not try to eradicate the bugs on your own, they are complex and difficult to kill and require professionals who have a good reputation and experience in doing so.
