Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite You
This is a nationwide epidemic. Legislation recently amended not just one but five civil codes. They’re also know as the traveling bugs. We need to educate ourselves and everyone we know, because if it’s a nationwide problem it’s not a matter of if, but a matter of WHEN we all get affected by the bed bugs. They are considered vermin in the eyes of the court.
Bed bugs move similar to ants, they go where they want, when they want, they even move it about the same speed as an Ant. They’re not just in beds they’re everywhere, they go through switch plate covers, common area walls. The baby bedbugs are about the size of the letter E in the word Liberty on a copper penny. Bed bugs are attracted to the air that we breathe out CO2. They feed off our blood. The feeding cycle is from about midnight to 5 a.m. The most common place that we stay still for the longest period of time is your bed. Eight hours of sleep only if we’re lucky right?

The Most Common places to get them are
Hotels
Used Furniture
New Furniture
Moving Vans / Moving Trucks
Movie Theaters
Airplanes
A commonly asked question is why new furniture? If you have the new furniture delivered it could be the moving van that brings the new furniture that is infested as it also hauls away people’s old furniture.
When it comes to the Rules:
1. The number one thing to remember is Even if the tenant brings them in.
2. As of July 1st, 2017, All new incoming tenants MUST sign a bed bug addendum. This notification must have specific language and be in 10-point font. Civil Code 1954.603
3. All Existing tenants must have bedbug notification on file by 1/1/2018. This notification must have specific language and be in 10-point font. Civil Code 1954.603
4. The owner has a responsibility to remedy upon notification.
5. The tenant can withhold daily rent until it is remedied. As vermin is considered a habitability issue.
6. The owner must give written notification of Bed Bugs within 2 days of actual knowledge. When infestations are found in common areas the land lord must provide notice to all the tenants. Civil Code 1954.605
By: Patti “Widget”