Bed bugs can be tricky to deal with. Often, tenants and landlords have a tendency to blame each other for the spread of the vile pests. However, the cause usually is unknown. Landlords may be unsure how to handle an infestation and tenants may attribute the responsibility to them. Consider these tips on how to handle a bed bug infestation properly.
There's a lot of controversy surrounding who's responsible for a bed bug issue. Many tenants may begin to point fingers at each other and potentially at the landlord. Responsibility varies from state to state. Many states will ask that landlords take control of keeping the property pest-free, Quick and Dirty Tips noted. The language in certain contracts may be very vague, in others it might be more specific and clearly note bed bugs. Language can be deceptive and often results in legal counseling. Some laws only hold landlords responsible if more than one property is infested. If not, it's the tenant's job to handle the issue. As a landlord, make sure you know the property rules for your state regarding pests.
If the problem isn't addressed or taken care of in a timely fashion, tenants can sue you. Many contracts use a term known as "constructive eviction," which is legal terminology for believing that the tenants were forced out of the home because the living conditions were terrible. However, tenants need to have a strong case with plenty of evidence that the property was uninhabitable. If the case is proven, landlords have to give their tenants the cost of finding a new apartment.
Tenants can also sue a landlord on the legal concept of a lack of habitability, NOLO stated. This is the idea that the tenants lived through sleeping with bed bugs for over a month, but were incredibly uncomfortable. Again, tenants need to prove they were in poor living conditions. If they do, landlords need to reimburse tenants for the months of rent when they dealt with the bed bugs.
Neighbors in an apartment complex or building may also attempt to sue each other. If one tenant used another's property and bed bugs popped up, he or she might blame the neighbor. However, this case is much more difficult to prove.
Sometimes bed bugs may come into an apartment with an unknowing tenant, or they may already be there. If a landlord discovers a bed bug problem, he or she should call pest control services immediately to properly eliminate the bugs and prevent a lawsuit or full infestation. Letting a problem go on can result in lost future business, money and potentially property.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
