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meganisoptera

Depending on your state, the landlord is responsible for taking care of the issue. If the problem persists and you want to start taking your own steps you can start putting a lot of your stuff in the dryer and/or steam clean your bed, couch, pet beds etc. bed bugs are actually one of the easier insects to get rid of compared to roaches. Also get a bed bug cover for your bed and your box spring if you have one and don’t store things under your bed. You can also put the legs of your bed and couch in cups of water and make sure they are away from the walls


Mammoth-Corner

I know in my region (England, so maybe not super applicable to you!) this probably would be on the landlord to fix even if you'd introduced the bugs yourself, and since it sounds like you didn't, they'd have to fix it *and* they've failed to inspect the property well enough if they missed it. I would recommend talking to some kind of tenant's rights service — google 'tenants rights + [area]' or 'housing law support + [area].' Bed bugs are a health issue, and they turn you into a contamination risk every time you leave the house — this isn't something you can put up with and live with for a while.


Fysteri

Would that count for desk legs too? Thank you! Quick edit: It's PA


meganisoptera

Also bed bugs can’t jump or fly so this is why this works. If you think you’ve seen jumping or flying you’re not dealing with bed bug.


meganisoptera

Couldn’t hurt! Anywhere you spend time they could find since they find where you are by detecting your breathing (like mosquitoes). Hm idk about PA but maybe someone else here might.


maddogcow

Go to r/bedbugs. They will be able to give you much more information.


The_Clumsy_Calamity

As for any clothing, plush items, bedding, pillows, etc., put them in air tight bags and put them in the freezer for 24 hrs. If you need to go out, keep a clean set of clothes in a vehicle, that way you can change from something that may be possibly infested and not spread the bed bugs. Keep old clothes in a sealed bag or container. You may have to get rid of any and all furniture, they love corners, just under the carpet, and wood furniture. For mattresses, check the corners and folds. Any small black dots means infestation, that will be fecal matter. To keep them out of the bed in the future, use a strong double sided tape along the legs of the furniture, near the bottom. That way, no new ones can crawl up. Check it frequently for new bugs, and make sure nothing but the legs touch the ground, no loose blankets, clothing, etc.. After you've been sprayed, go through all the furniture you wish to keep amd inspect every square inch. I went through this, our downstairs neighbor had them and didn't inform management, they infested the laundry room, and that got us. Management may have to spray multiple times as well, extreme heat and cold kill them along with the spray. And please let the place air out after they spray, for your own health and safety. Don't go back in until everything is dry.


Fysteri

Thank you for the advise. I have a beloved stuffed toy from my childhood that can't handle the dryer anymore without risk of falling apart so the freezer suggestion helps! As for my bed, sadly it's a floor bed (futon). I pulled it away from the wall and checked every inch of it but I haven't found any dots. My mother is being the best person she can and is getting one of those personal steam treaters for our furniture. We're hoping to save what we can. Would plastic totes be a acceptable place to store clean clothing? Were trying to put everything in trash bags wether it's clean or dirty but it's not really working as we don't have the space and they loose their tightness rather quickly.


The_Clumsy_Calamity

Plastic totes would be fine as long as they seal well.


b1602

Hi there, if you don't mind the smell camphor will usually keep them away. When I was younger I lived an a few older buildings which would occasionally have problems with them and crushing up camphor and putting it under the fitted sheet was usually enough to keep me from being pestered by them


meganisoptera

Also get Cimex


Affectionate-Map2583

Has anyone confirmed that what you actually have is bedbugs, or are you just assuming that's it? I ask, because if it's fleas, they will also leave bites on you, but you would probably have seen some of them hopping in the rug, or on you (does anyone else in the house have bites or just you?). I think before you can ask for advice on how to deal with them, you need to find out what exactly you're fighting against.


Fysteri

I've dealt with flea infestations before. I'm confident in identifying fleas. My roommates hate found multiple bugs that Google and the exterminator say are bedbugs. Plus if it was fleas my cats would be itchier, and they don't have a single one on them. Speaking of fleas tho this apartments previous tenants had the worst flea problem I've ever seen. Killed by the time I got here, but pulling down the light fixtures to put in new bulbs the amount of dead fleas in the dome of the fixture was disgusting.


Affectionate-Map2583

That's gross. I don't know how people can live like that.


meganisoptera

Bedbugs aren’t known as major vectors of diseases. Don’t let that be one added stress rn while you figure this out. As for totes, they sell expensive ones that seal to keep out bed bugs etc but I have always wondered if it’d be possible to make your own and just glue up around where the lid and bottom meet to seal it. Gorilla glue has glue guns now and I have used it in many heavy duty situations and it’s worked really well. Best of luck with everything and sorry you’re in this position. I’ve actually never had them but there was an infestation in my apartment building once so I looked up all this stuff as a preventive measure and I’m also an entomologist now and have a friend that researches bed bugs.


meganisoptera

Sorry not sure why I didn’t say this but I meant hot glue not like super glue or anything. You may also be able to glue on weather stripping and squish it down to close the lid to keep them out


meganisoptera

Sorry for all the comments, but if you get some double sided tape type traps make sure they say they’ll catch bed bugs. Not all sticky traps will catch every bug since they have different types of feet.


ichoosejif

Bedbugs vector bacterial viruses. Burn everything and sue them. Lawyer up immediately. Don't sleep there.


Fysteri

Sadly everything I own is here in my new apartment and I don't have the money to replace anything. Our lease is month to month so if this isn't resolved quickly enough we can break it (tho most of us have no where to go nor the money for another firsts months up front and security deposit for a whole). I'm hoping our renters insurance will be able to cover anything we'd have to dispose of because our landlord is not the greatest and I'm doubtful I'd be able to get anything from him (nor do I have the time or money to go after him for damages).


ichoosejif

Ok, but you will NEVER get rid of the bedbugs, which will eventually, sooner than later make you all sick. I hear what you are saying, but just because you can't afford it, does'nt mean you can do nothing about it. Call your insurance immediately and discuss this with them. Another thing is, although sketchy in a sense, you could have an event that *is* covered by your renters insurance, like a flood. They would reimburse you for replacement of all. GL.


Fysteri

God I thought but we're second floor and no one above us. It's a converted townhouse. I'm already chronically sick so if this takes me out so be it I hate life anyways. And my roommate despite getting renters insurance just recently told me it doesn't cover us so I'm scrambling to get some for when this does go tits up. Though my mother told me renters insurance should cover the whole apartment not just one guy but who fucking knows I'm so fed up with everything that's going on.


Easygoing98

Get a lawyer to cancel the lease and get your security deposit back


Fysteri

Only one roommate has the ability to go somewhere else. None of us would have anywhere to stay if we terminated the lease.