Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Cincinnati

" Unfortunately Bed bugs Cincinnati problems place the City as #4 on a listing of the top cities in the U.S. for bed bugs infestations. There have been reports of bed bugs being brought home in library books and house fires caused by bed bug treatment. Cincinnati is not alone with 4 cities in Ohio making the top 15 including Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton. The University of Cincinnati Institute for Policy Research found that 14.5% of residents have suffered from bed bugs. Luckily, the Cincinnati Department of Health offers advice and services for removing infested furniture. Hamilton County also provides assistance for apartment bed bug problems including help with resolving any landlord and tenant issues."

The Cincinnati and Tri State region has seen increasing numbers of Bed Bug outbreaks. The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority has had meetings on the subject in order to raise awareness and coordinate a plan of attack in the region. The need is further highlighted by the Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Forces which has seen an +82% increased in year to year bedbug complaints.

Any one or home can get bed bugs. Even a dinner guest, an infested library book or purchase of used furniture can bring bedbugs into the house. A female bed bug can lay up to 10 eggs per day, resulting in a rapidly expanding infestation. If you see a bed bug, or think you see one, act fast to treat the problem.

Bed Bugs Cincinnati Cases Reported to Bed Bug Registry

Call in the Cincinnati Bed Bugs Experts

Removing bed bugs Cincinnati is hard work and often requires 2 to 3 treatments, even with the best equipment. Because of this, we suggest that you have a professional confirm that you have a Cincinnati bed bugs problem and the size of the problem.

Start by calling in a professional to confirm that you have a bed bug problem. We suggest starting with Service Magic (1.877-233-1145), since they represent several local companies, and provide up to 3 free quotes. The network also checks to make sure that exterminators are licensed and insured. Contacting more than one bed bugs Cincinnati exterminator is important due to the high cost and differences in terms of how each firm applies their bedbug treatment program. Some rely on sprays, while others use heat. Heat is always preferable, since it is chemical free and 100% effective. The problem is that it is also expensive, particularly when treating an entire home.

You can also check our list of local bed bug pest control experts. Each firm on the list will provide a free quote. You can search the list of local bed bug experts here.

To read consumer reviews of pest control companies specializing in bed bugs Cincinnati problems see Angies List.

How to Kill Bed Bugs in Cincinnati

If you live in a single family home , the first decision is whether to fight bed bugs yourself using a "do it yourself" kit or to hire a professional.

The main obstacle to hiring a professional is the cost. There will be a fee for the home inspection ($100-$500) and then another fee for the treatment itself ($750++). The advantage of a professional is that they know where to look in th home, their experience in fighting bedbugs and any specialized equipment they might have.

A do it yourself kit, such as the one offered by Dermisil (organic kit) or an insecticide based kit (matter of preference), can also be effective as they contain the 4 key products needed to fight an infestation. This includes a bed bug safe spray (kills bedbugs on contact and in cracks), fossil dust (to kill bedbugs after treatment ends and around electrical outlets), a hand steamer (to kill bed bug eggs) and mattress covers (to trap any remaining bedbugs that you might have missed). Kits cost approximately $160.

If you decided to do it yourself or for how to prepare your home prior to professional treatment, see our guide on how to kill bed bugs.

If you live in a Cincinnati apartment and have a bed bugs problem, be sure to contact your landlord so that he or she can coordinate the extermination program throughout the building. To date (9/2010), landlords are not required to provide an apartments bed bugs Cincinnati history before a tenant moves into the unit.

Cincinnati Health Department Bed Bugs Video

The Cincinnati Health Department prepared this excellent overview of how to identify bed bugs and how to treat a bed bug infestation.

Bed Bugs Cincinnati News

Bed Bugs! - WKRC Cincinnati

Bed Bugs Confirmed at Westwood School - Cincinnati.com

Local Libraries Struggle with Bed Bugs- Cincinnati.com

Bed-bug treatment sets house on fire - Cincinnati.com

Cincinnati Landlord Tenant Bed Bug Law

Laws that govern responsibility for Cincinnati bed bug treatment are set by the Cincinnati Health Department (Board of Health Regulations), the Neighborhood Quality of Life Code and laws in Ohio. The law states that "the abatement of vermin is the responsibility of both the owner/manager and the occupant of an infested building.

Said another way, the law isn't clear on the issue. In cases such as this, we suggest:

Working with building management to treat the problem in all apartments that are adjacent to the problem
Splitting the cost of treatment
If the landlord refuses to help, contact the Cincinnati Department of Health for assistance
If they will not provide assistance, hire a lawyer and consider placing rent into escrow until the problem is addressed
Contact the television media to see if negative attention to the building will result in action by the building managers

Cincinnati BedBugs Government Resources

Ohio Department of Health - the health department offers a free bed bug identification service for Ohio residents. Call the department (614) 752-1029 or send in this form with your sample (PDF download).

If you rent a home or apartment within Hamilton County (excluding cities of Cincinnati, Norwood, Sharonville or Springdale) and you think you have bed bugs, please contact the Hamilton County General Health District at (513) 946-7832. Health District sanitarians will work with your landlord to eliminate the problem. A bed bug fact sheet from Hamilton County is available here (pdf).

Cincinnati Schools - the Cincinnati Schools has published a formal bed bug protocol for parents and staff which can be downloaded here (PDF).

Cincinnati Health Department - Brochure on "How Can I Get Rid of Bed Bugs? You also download the bed bug information sheet published by the health department here.

Cincinnati Bed Bug Hot line - Call 513.591.6000 with questions or to arrange a pickup of furniture that has been contaminated with bedbugs

Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force