But, I’d have pretty extensive pest exclusion specs for you, if you know what I mean.

Double-thanks Nobugsonme
All my troubles just dissapeared upon your timely return!
Hope it was bed bug free werever it was you were!

This “Oh we had no idea the place had bugs” well, frankly it has got to stop soon no?
So, you are back.
Welcome home

I also feel we need specific laws about disclosure: too many move into infested units — often it is clear the landlord knew of the infestation. In others, the success of treatment was not verified. This may be a problem with the form of treatment (for example, spraying an unoccupied unit will probably not work–the bugs can hide out until more “bait” appears.)

If I, a very poor person, had to move, as in HUD housing is VERY scarce here in SF–and the bugs are almost running wild, this is what I might have to do. This issue did come up and so I had it all thought already: here it is:

Let’s assume too: The landlord had said “This apartment has been sprayed 3 times and it has no Bed bugs” since I had to move–I’d have to go anyway but I’d not take their word that the place had no bugs. I’d also be skeptical about the spray history too. I’d not let on … I’ve got to move in right?

a–I’d do my best to have all my Bed bug arsenal with me =$ 300 = min a studio.
b–I’d move in myself first only for as long as I could, say 2 weeks =min.
So I’d also have to pay rent in two places for at least one month
c–I’d clean the center of the sleeping room see FAQS
d–I’d place heavy plastic leaving 2 feet leeway all around, secured to floor with
two strips of Frost King carpet tape. I’d seal them down with good masking tape.
Then I’d lay down a good goop of Vaseline in the center of the carpet tape 100%
e–I’d set up a tent, as Bed bug proof as possible with the two feet leeway.
f–I’d sleep there only, for those two weeks, + only after also using FWDE in all
corners of room, including in crown molding + baseboards–and by front door.
g–Each morning (I’d) get out of tent warily, contact killer in hand–I’d spray any
and all bugs I saw. I’d exit.
h–Repeat for two weeks: then I’d decide if I should sue them, move in or whatnot.

NOTES:
* I’d prefer to be able to get the chance to do this for one full month.
* If the bugs are dying away … I’d start moving my isolated stuff in, as I’d have
no choice–I’d be now be financially quite strapped!
* I’s save and log and take pics of the entire process
* I’d then check my lease and call 311 and get them to spray.
* By now … I’d have a lot of clout in the sue should I choose that route.
* Id keep all my things isolated and be prepared for another month of this FAQS
* Each day I’d vacuum my heart out too!
* If needed–I’d steam the rugs!
* Total apx .extra cost 7-800.00
* Total lawsuit = at lest 5,000
* I’d win the case and buy $1000 worth of new supplies and try to move again.

These are the times we live in, as NOBUGSONME points out!
But I’d also do other things too. To find out what they are …
A—read and grasp ALL the FAQS here .. B—search the site … see the vidios and the pics …. Then C–come on in to the forums and read the moving FAQ! Yet again.

Yup, that’s what I’d be stuck doing! But, even if you have bucks–a lot of this would be good to do anyway.

Now I’ll read what nomo, and AT have to say and I’ll get on all those great links too!

Loved the Blog
Fondly,
Willow

Good question. You should speak with any bed bug dog professional at length before hiring him/her. It is currently an unregulated industry, so find out where the dog was trained and by whom, ask about any tests that have been done on the dog (independently-run tests if possible), and ask about what the inspection entails (no pun intended) as well as precautions the tech takes to avoid spreading bed bugs. I realize only the last question is relevant to your comment, but I wanted to remind folks about the necessity of finding out everything you can before hiring a bed bug dog (and the same holds true about PCOs).

Remember, though, a human inspector working without a dog could transmit bed bugs as easily. They’re more likely to travel in a trouser cuff or in a bag, than on a short-haired dog. That’s not to say it can’t happen, but it’s probably less likely than a human bringing them in. (Probably more of a worry if the dog was in a very infested room –say one next door– and then came directly into your home.)

My only question on reading the AT site was this: were the bed bugs eradicated?

To spell it out more fully, were the bed bugs only in the one apartment and were they eradicated?

If they were only in THAT apartment, it is fully possible that the three treatments sufficed. We also do not know how long ago they were treated. If it was a while and the formerly “infested” roommate had no further trouble, then perhaps it is fine.

The problem is, NYC will soon have few buildings that have never had a bed bug infestation in any apartment. That an apartment was once infested is not cause to avoid it forever (or soon the housing market will be very scarce!) but I would certainly want to know more. And I would not trust a landlord who lies about anything, but alas, this is the world we live in.

I hope that in future, bed bug dogs are certified and universally available, and that landlords who have had apartments treated can have them tested before being rented to the next party.