Continuing from Friday…

As reported by LSJ.com reported on December 13, 2012, the Michigan couple in question is upset that the management company is charging the couple $1,029 for bed bug eradication in their apartment.  The couple believes that this is unfair as they do not believe that they have bed bugs.

Unlike other states, Michigan does not have laws which spell out exactly who is responsible for bed bug remediation in rental units.  The lack of laws on the books allows for landlords to charge tenants unless specific guidelines are spelled out in the rental agreement.  Reports are the Michigan judges are siding with landlords in most cases that arrive in court as they believe that the bed bugs have arrived with the tenants.  This is not necessarily a fair assessment of all bed bug rental situations.

It is well documented that bed bugs are masters at hiding in all types of locations in homes, hotels, businesses, clothing, electronics, etc.  Determining their point of entry is nearly impossible as the pests can be transported via any person or item as bed bugs can be found most anyplace that humans frequent.

It is also well documented that approximately 50% of the population that is bitten by bed bugs do not suffer the allergic reactions to their bite wounds. This being said, the Michigan couple could have bed bugs in their apartment, yet not even know that the pests are present.

Additionally, if bed bugs are present in other units in the building, especially those above, below, or on either side of this couple’s unit, there is an excellent chance that the bed bugs are present in this unit as well.  The management company followed good practices by inspecting the apartment unit in question and found it necessary to have the apartment treated for bed bugs. The failure to allow bed bug eradication services by a licensed pest control professional subjects the entire building to re-infestation if any remaining bed bugs are allowed to survive in any unit on the premises.