I know this is kind of icky but...

I am putting together information for the next safety meeting and since it has becomew such a problem, we will be discussing bedbugs. Apparently, Modesto has had a sharp increase in the problem and we are not thsat far away. The problem being that when a manager or maintewnance person enters a unit, vacant or occupid, they are exposed to any one of a number of things and bedbugs are now a major concern. I would appreciate any input from those of you who have had to deal with this situation. From what I understand, even exterminators are finding it increasingly more difficult to get rid of them. If you have dealt with the problem, what methods or chemicals have you found to work best? This is not a "poor" community's problem due to the fact that they are being brought in by international travelers, and easily transmitted to others without their knowledge.

We have built a process to manage and avoid this risk. It is important to educate tenants (we have a link to bedbug site from our website that may be helpful). Our maintenance staff carry a laminated card that contains on it a picture of a bedbug. Early identification helps. Check your state regulations to make sure you are in compliance if you are performing your own extermination.
You can find the bedbug info at the bottom of our website www.fwproperties.com

Here is another great link centralohiobedbugs.org/

I was just in on a conference call with about 20 people in Michigan; upper management and ownership. Everyone shared their experience and the general consensus was that the heat treatments work the best. Although extermination is less expensive, it also seems to be less effective. There is also a "freezing" technique out there. No one had used it yet but one company had it scheduled for one apartment. You can also hire companies that have dogs that can detect them if you do not see them, but suspect they are present.

I had one community in Riviera Beach with bed bugs, and thankfully my local pest control "Art Pest Control" was able to get the issue under control. However, educating your residents to avoid this issue is the best way to prevent it in the future. Send residents memos, and educate them on how to avoid getting bed bugs, because they can eaisly spread.

Thanks,
Pedro

How do you prevent them? We have a fantastic public transit system here, so I suspect they travel easily from place to place. My property is on six different transit lines.

Really hard.to prevent. The key is to treat ASAP and check all surrounding units above and below. Send memo telling residents not to buy used mattresses or furniture from others if even take used items from people. Especially trash rooms. I had someone have them in their picture frames bef they took a nice picture someone left on the trashroom floor and another a friend game them. You never know. Plastic mattress covers could be a requirement. They are help. And education. Good luck.