What should you do if your neighbors have bed bugs? - briefly
Report the infestation to your landlord or property manager and request immediate professional extermination for the affected units. Isolate personal belongings, wash bedding on high heat, and avoid moving items between apartments to limit further contamination.
What should you do if your neighbors have bed bugs? - in detail
If occupants in the adjoining unit are experiencing a bed‑bug infestation, take immediate, systematic steps to protect your dwelling.
First, confirm the problem. Request visual proof—live insects, shed skins, or fecal spots—from the neighbor or building management. Document the evidence with photographs and note dates.
Second, inform the landlord, property manager, or homeowners’ association in writing. Include the documentation, describe the proximity of the infestation, and ask for a formal inspection and remediation plan. Retain a copy of the correspondence for future reference.
Third, isolate your living space:
- Seal all entry points: repair cracks in walls, baseboards, and around pipes; install door sweeps.
- Encase mattresses and box springs in certified bed‑bug encasements; keep them on the bed frame, not directly on the floor.
- Reduce clutter that could harbor insects; store items in sealed plastic containers.
- Launder all bedding, curtains, and clothing on the hottest cycle the fabric tolerates; dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Vacuum floors, upholstery, and seams thoroughly; immediately discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister with hot, soapy water.
Fourth, arrange professional treatment. Insist that licensed pest‑control technicians use integrated pest management (IPM) methods, such as:
- Heat treatment of rooms to 120 °F (49 °C) for a minimum of 90 minutes.
- Targeted application of approved insecticides to cracks, baseboards, and furniture.
- Follow‑up inspections at 2‑week intervals to verify eradication.
Fifth, monitor continuously. Place interceptors under each leg of the bed and furniture. Check them weekly for trapped insects. Maintain a log of any sightings.
Sixth, protect against cross‑contamination during moves. Use sealed boxes for belongings, and avoid transporting items through common hallways without protective coverings.
Finally, understand your legal rights. Review local housing codes and tenant‑rights statutes; many jurisdictions require landlords to remediate infestations promptly. If the landlord fails to act, file a written complaint with the appropriate housing authority or consider small‑claims court.
By documenting the issue, notifying responsible parties, sealing your environment, employing professional eradication, and monitoring diligently, you minimize the risk of the pests spreading into your residence.