If tenants find themselves facing a bedbug infestation, the first step is to get tenants to realize it is not their fault or a sign of being dirty. Infestations need to be reported immediately and landlords need to take swift action. Tenants Associations can negotiate with landlords, serve as a watchdog to make sure work is done correctly and if necessary, pressure landlords exterminating pests.

Some steps tenants can take are:

• Vacuum – Vacuum your furniture, bed frame, and baseboards. If vacuum has a bag, put it in the freezer for 24hours before disposal; this will kill the bed bugs.
• Cleaning bed linens/steam cleaning- Toss your sheets, pillowcases, bed skirt, and blankets into a hot (140f) dryer for 20 minutes. Steam clean thoroughly at a high temperature,
• Clutter – Minimize clutter, this eliminates potential shelter for the bed bugs, and
• Seal crevices – Inspect your unit and seal all crevices with caulk; pay special attention to walls that are shared with other units.

If you have any questions about bed bugs, please contact MTO’s Richard Gilliam at (773)292-4980 ext. 236.

*This Guide was originally published by the Metropolitan Tenants Organization.