need advice on moving or trying to get landlord to treat for bed bug please help

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need advice on moving or trying to get landlord to treat for bed bug please help

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ohboyLosAngeles

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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Apr 4 2012 17:03:09
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Hello I am in Los Angeles and live in a duplex. To make a long story short, the person above us found bed bugs about a year ago and we then received Vikane treatment on the entire complex (about one year ago). Recently, a bed bug was found in the upstairs apartment. The landlord said that he did not wish to do heat treatment or chemical treatment even though a bed bug was found! A dog came through the building and did not detect bed bugs in my unit but it DID find eggs in the above unit. Even after this, the landlord said that the infected bed frame was thrown away and that he is going to take his chances (!!!!!)

I suspect that he feels after the vikane, he wished to not do any more treatments. I am extremely frustrated because after the vikane, no preventative measures were taken and now he does not want to re-treat. My lease is up in two months and I am unable to sleep or live comfortable in my apartment knowing that bed bugs were found upstairs. I have two options, leave at the end of two months and try everything possible to keep the bed bugs out of my complex until then (suggestions, please!!!!!) We have MANY adjoining vents and electrical channels, etc, OR basically try to convince the landlord to get a pest control to do a "dusting" since he has already stated he would not do a heat treatment or chemical spray.
Does anyone know of an organic or non-toxic pest control in Los Angeles, i cant find ANYTHING on the internet and those that do have sites are, sorry to say, difficult to find, difficult to understand and crappy looking. I seriously think that if someone started a "green" or just non-toxic pest control in Los Angeles devoted to Bed Bugs and had a website that was easy to navigate and FIND, they would be rich.

But anyway I just want to know if anyone thinks that if I got the landlord to do a thorough dusting (DE I guess??) done professionally if 1. this would be effective to handle the current infestation and 2. roughly how much this would cost.

Also, since either way I cant leave for 2 months, how can i prevent the bed bugs from coming downstairs until then?

Im pretty desperate and ready to move if he does not cooperate. I feel for everyone in my position, chins up everyone.
ohboyLosAngeles

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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Apr 4 2012 17:06:15
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I forgot to say that I would need to give my notice by the end of April so I would need to know what to do pretty soon and I would not feel comfortable staying if the bed bug issue was not FULLY handled.
ohboyLosAngeles

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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Apr 4 2012 17:08:18
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Im sorry one LAST thing, the pest control apparently told my landlord that bed bugs would NOT LIVE in a closet, for example, because there is no live bodies that live in a closet. I believe that bed bugs can live anywhere, base boards, walls, etc and that the info given is FALSE! how can I convince him that this data is wrong?
cilecto

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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Apr 4 2012 17:30:01
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You and your building are in a tricky situation. The landlord sprang for a big bucks solution, but with no prevention/follow-up for the future.

Bed bugs in one unit does not automatically follow that neighboring units will get infested. However, for your landlord to think a problem was solved by taking out one piece of furniture (through the halls, no doubt) is also short sighted.

Bed bugs normally try to live close to the host. However, they do stray due to being disturbed (by people, things or pesticides) and can be found elsewhere in the home. The PCO either did not understand this, or did, but was misinterpreted.

Your best bet is probably to inspect and stay watchful. If the situation deteriorates between now and your move-out, you have several options, including Vikane on your moving truck.

Some materials that may be helpful:
- Our FAQ http://bedbugger.com/faqs/
- A comprehensive guide from our resources page, like this one http://www.michigan.gov/documents/emergingdiseases/Bed_Bug_Manual_v1_full_reduce_326605_7.pdf
- Other guides from our Resources page
killdienow

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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Apr 5 2012 22:02:56
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research laws in LA. in ny a landlord is fined if bedbugs are there and they have to treat
KillerQueen

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Posted 1 year ago
Fri Apr 6 2012 16:42:35
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The land lord could have very well tossed out the problem. Monitoring and inspecting is the only option and this point. If something is still there it will show itself soon enough.

I wouldn't panic.... Take that energy and do weekly inspections to both your sleeping and resting areas.

Good luck!