Bed bugs are a re-emerging problem across the country. They are excellent “hitch-hikers” and can easily spread through travel, secondhand furniture, or even clutter in the home. Preventing an infestation is much easier than eliminating one—your active participation is essential.

🐜 What Residents Should Know

Appearance: Small, wingless insects about ¼ inch long, reddish-brown in color.
Hiding Spots: Bed frames, mattresses, box springs, furniture, cracks, baseboards, and clutter.
Signs of Infestation: Tiny blood spots on bedding, shed skins, musty odor, or live insects.
Spread: Often brought in via luggage, used furniture, or discarded items picked up from outside.

✅ Prevention Tips

Clean regularly, including vacuuming mattresses, couches, and rugs.
Reduce clutter to eliminate hiding places.
Be cautious with secondhand items. Inspect all used furniture or clothing before bringing it inside. Never bring in discarded mattresses or furniture from curbs, dumpsters, or recycle bins.
Travel smart. Inspect hotel beds, linens, and furniture; keep luggage elevated and away from walls. Wash and dry clothing on high heat after returning home.
Inspect regularly. Check seams of mattresses, box springs, and furniture.

🚫 What Not to Do

Do not bring in furniture, mattresses, or clothing from unknown sources.
Do not attempt to treat bed bugs with store-bought chemicals or sprays.
Do not delay reporting if you notice signs of bed bugs.

📝 Reporting & Responsibilities

Immediate Reporting: If you suspect bed bugs, submit a maintenance request in writing through your Tenant Portal immediately. For emergencies, call management directly.
No DIY Treatments: Do not apply your own pesticides without written approval. Management will send a licensed pest professional to confirm and treat.
Preparation Required: If treatment is needed, you must follow all preparation steps (laundering, decluttering, moving furniture) so exterminators can treat effectively.
Full Access: Allow management and exterminators full access to the home for inspection and treatment.

⚠️ Costs & Liability

Residents are responsible for all costs associated with treating bed bugs at the Premises.
Residents are also responsible for any damage to the unit or neighboring units if infestations spread due to neglect.
By moving in, residents acknowledge the home was provided pest-free at the start of tenancy.
Management is not liable for damages or claims resulting from pest infestations, including bed bugs.

🧹 Key Takeaway

The best defense against bed bugs is prevention. Regular cleaning, caution with used items, and prompt reporting are critical. With your cooperation, we can prevent and control infestations effectively.

As has been widely reported, bed bugs have become a re-emerging problem nationwide. One reason for this increasing problem is that it is easy for people to spread the problem unknowingly. Bed bugs readily hide in small crevices and are notorious hitch-hikers. Bed bugs are often transferred by purchasing used furniture and through travel in luggage and in hotel beds and linens. The best strategy for effective pest control is prevention. The following are recommended steps in the prevention of bed bug infestations: (1) clean your apartment regularly; including vacuuming your mattress(es), (2) clean up clutter to help reduce the number of places bed bugs can hide (3) exercise caution when purchasing used furniture or clothing by making sure to inspect each item, and asking the retailer or seller if the items were checked for bed bugs (4) do not bring discarded furniture, mattresses or clothing into your apartment and (5) take precautions when traveling and staying in hotels. Lessee(s) understand that bed bugs are wingless insects that are approximately a 1/4 inch in length allowing them to lodge themselves within furniture, including bed frames, mattresses and box springs.

Clutter around the room offers additional sites for these pests to hide, and increases the difficulty in eliminating bed bugs. Accordingly, Lessee(s) agree to examine hotel rooms and carefully scrutinize and consider the history of any used furniture prior to purchase and prior to moving any furniture into Premises. Lessee(s) agrees not to bring in any furniture or other discarded items into the Premises from the trash and/or recycle bins as this is a central source of many pest infestations. Lessee(s) understands that as a Lessee(s), they play an important role in helping to maintain the home and community, since they are in the best position to observe and maintain their residence. Lessee(s) understand and agree that it is their responsibility to report any maintenance issue in their unit without delay. Lessee(s) agree that routine maintenance requests will be submitted in writing to the Management Office and that emergency maintenance issue will be reported via telephone or in writing so that Lessor may respond to the condition reported. Lessee(s) agree not to apply their own pesticide without the written authorization of Management as our exterminator will inspect the unit to confirm the infestation and to develop a pest management plan. If your unit (or a neighboring unit) is infested with bed bugs, a pest management professional may be called in to apply pesticides. The treatment will be more effective if your unit is properly prepared. Lessee(s) agree to follow the recommended readiness procedures, including allowing full access to Lessor and its exterminator for treatment. Lessee(s) understands that the choice of exterminator is that of the Lessor and its agents. Lessee(s) agree that they are responsible for any and all costs associated with treating the bed bugs at the Premises. Lessee(s) further understands and agrees that they are also responsible for any damages caused to the Premises, including any damage caused to neighboring units as the result of their pest problem spreading to a neighboring unit(s). Lessee(s) on behalf of themselves and their heirs, successors, executors, agents, attorneys and assigns hereby releases and forever discharges Lessor, its past and present owner(s), manager(s) and affiliated entity(ies) and their respective officers, directors, principals, employees, attorneys, insurers and agents from any liability for claims known or unknown arising from any from any and all damages caused by a pest problem, including bed bugs . Lessee(s) further expressly agrees to indemnify, save, protect, defend and hold harmless Lessor from and against any and all claims, damages, suits, losses, payments and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees for any damages ,allegations, claims, and/or demands relating to, caused by, or arising from a pest problem at the Premises, including bed bugs.

This document sets forth the entire Agreement between the parties hereto regarding Pest Control at the Premises. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both parties. By signing this acknowledgment, Lessee(s) agree and acknowledge that they have inspected the Premises and found the unit to be clean, safe and in good condition, free of all visible pests, including but not limited to bed bugs, roaches, ants, etc. The signatories to this Agreement hereby represent and warrant that they are authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the entities named. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and facsimile copies of same shall be admissible for all purposes and shall be deemed as original.