THEY’RE BACK: Bed bugs infestation re-emerges in U.S.

Jessica Faz

The Signal

Largely eradicated in the mid-20th century, bed bugs, small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals, are back, and they are making their presence known across the country especially in multi-family dwellings.

The Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a joint statement, in August, warning that “the United States is one of many countries now experiencing an alarming resurgence in the population of bed bugs.”

The widespread use of DDT, a synthetic pesticide, nearly eliminated the bed bug problem in the 1940s and 1950s but may also have contributed to their resurgence. The EPA and CDC noted bed bugs, which range in size from one to seven millimeters, have developed a resistance to many pesticides including DDT.

Andrew Sthipper, owner of AntSir Pest Control, said increased international travel, lack of public awareness and past over-reliance on pesticides such as Chlordane, which has been banned in the U.S. by the EPA, have contributed to the explosion of the bed bug population.

In addition to removing clutter and washing linens and clothes, the CDC and EPA recommend multiple visits by licensed pest control operators in order to eradicate the infestations of bed bugs, which are mainly active at night and can live for several months without a blood meal.

“In order to eliminate bed bugs, you have to have 100 percent control,” Sthipper said. “Because they multiply so rapidly, you have to have complete elimination. Bed bugs are experts at hiding.”

The CDC and EPA also acknowledge that maintaining control in multi-family homes is especially difficult because bed bugs can travel between units and municipal codes struggle to identify whether tenants or landlords are responsible for bed bug infestation control.

Texas Property Code Section 92.052a states that tenants have the right to demand the landlord repair any condition that materially affects the tenants’ health and safety. In addition, SB 1448 (81st Regular Session), effective Jan. 1, grants justices of the peace authority to order landlords to remedy conditions affecting a tenant’s health and safety.

However, Texas Property Code Section 92.052b states that the landlord does not have a duty to pay for or make repairs if a tenant or tenant’s guests cause an unsafe or unhealthy condition through negligence, carelessness, abuse or accident. Landlords are also not legally bound to disclose if a property has or has had bed bugs.

“Tenants who have questions about the issue can refer to the Tenants’ Rights Handbook,” said attorney Heather Kubiak. “Tenants may be able to pursue a constructive eviction.”

While bed bugs are not believed to transmit diseases, their bites can cause allergic reactions with effects ranging from a small bite mark to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening type of allergic reaction. Bites can also lead to secondary skin infections such as impetigo, a highly contagious bacterial skin infection.

Additional signs of infestation include exoskeletons of the bed bugs after molting, bed bugs in mattress folds or folded sheets, a sweet musty odor and rusty-colored blood spots from their blood-filled fecal material that is often excreted on the mattress.

If tenants feel the landlord will not make repairs needed to protect their health or safety, the Tenants’ Rights Handbook says the tenants may be entitled to end the lease, have the problem repaired or remedied and deduct the cost from the rent or get a court to order that the repairs be made only after following all procedures required by law. The Texas Bar Association recommends consulting with an attorney before taking any of these actions.

The procedure for obtaining repairs as stated by the Tenants’ Rights Handbook is to first send the landlord a dated letter by certified mail or by registered mail outlining needed repairs. Tenants should keep a copy of the letter and keep rent current.

Next, give the landlord a reasonable time to make repairs, usually seven days. In addition, though it is not required, the handbook recommends calling a city inspector to determine if the condition violates local ordinances.

Finally, give a second notice and request explanation. This is not necessary if the first notice was sent via certified mail, return receipt requested.

For more information on tenants’ rights go to www.texasbar.com and navigate to the Tenants’ Rights Handbook or www.texastenant.org.

“Bed bugs do not discriminate between rich and poor and have no preference for climate or environment,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for National Pest Control Management Association in a July press release outlining the first comprehensive global bed bug study.