Today I’m taking a break from the regularly scheduled dose of inspiration to provide a helpful article for New Yorkers because a friend of mine is currently facing this terrible issue. She called me in tears a few days ago because she knew I had some experience with this. I thought many of you may be dealing with this as well, or know someone who is, and I want to share some info on how to get rid of bed bugs.
There are few words that strike fear into the hearts of New Yorkers more than “bed bugs”. Many of my friends have had to battle these pesky intruders, some many times over. I had a scare myself about a year ago. Thankfully, it turned out that I didn’t have them and let me tell you I let out an enormous sigh of relief when that happened!
How to know if you have bed bugs
1.) You might wake up in the morning with bites you didn’t have the night before.
2.) You may see small flecks of black on your sheets.
3.) You may actual see very tiny bugs that you can’t identify.
4.) Your neighbor has them.
If you think you might have bed bugs and you rent
1.) Do not panic and under no circumstances should you try to handle this issue yourself. One of the biggest reasons that bed bugs are such an issue in New York is that many people delay their decision to tell their landlord or management company about the problem. Before you know it, they’re spreading to nearby apartments and the problem mushrooms out of control. Tell your super the moment you think there might be a problem. Your super needs to contact an exterminator immediately to have them come by and check your home. The exterminator is their financial responsibility, not yours.
2.) Look for the bugs. You may find some in the seams of the mattress, though they are masters of getting out of sight in the daylight. If you do find one of them, carefully pick it up with tweezers (do not squish it) and place it in a Ziploc bag to give to the exterminator.
3.) Give the exterminator free reign to search through your apartment while you’re there. You want to make sure they check the mattress, the area around the bed, the molding along the floor, and the electric outlets.
If you think you might have bed bugs and you own your home
1.) If your home is an apartment, contact the super. He or she may have recommendations on the exterminator to call. He or she may also make the appointment for you.
2.) Contact the exterminator and set an appointment as soon as possible. Again, catching the problem early is the key to solving this problem as quickly as possible. Many exterminators such as Terminix Pest Control offer free quotes through their websites.
3.) As with renters, follow step #3 above.
Many people feel embarrassed about having bed bugs. Don’t. To dispel a couple of myths:
1.) Bed bugs have nothing to do with how clean (or dirty) your house is
2.) Bed bugs have been found in every building in New York. Literally. The condition of your building is not related to whether or not you will get bed bugs. Even the Waldorf-Astoria has had infestations of these little buggers.
3.) Natural methods of getting rid of bed bugs sound wonderful. I love the environment, eating organic food, and living a clean and healthy lifestyle. Bed bugs are not to be dealt with kindly and humanely. You need an exterminator and yes, he or she is going to treat your house with chemicals. You need to get rid of these bugs before they literally set up residence in your home.
If you are facing this challenge or know someone who is, I hope this info is helpful. As my friend currently dealing with bed bugs recently said to me, “This is going to be a knock-down drag out fight, but I’m going to be the one who’s left standing.”
Christa Avampato 