BedBugWizard

Bed Bugs in Cleveland

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Cleveland's housing is heavily made up of older wood-frame houses and "doubles": two-family homes with one unit upstairs and one downstairs, often with a shared porch, basement and sometimes shared utilities. There are also apartment buildings and newer developments, but the double is the house type that most shapes how bed bugs are handled here.

Living in a double

Because the two units are stacked in one structure, the ceiling and floor between them are the main route for bugs, along with pipes, ductwork and stairs. A problem upstairs will often reach the first floor and vice versa. The household in the other unit might be a tenant, the owner, or an owner's relative. In any case, both sides have to be involved in treatment, and it is far easier if the owner coordinates inspection of both units on the same day.

Shared basements are another place to look. If laundry or storage is shared, treat that area as part of the problem. Do not carry infested bedding through the common stairs without bagging it first.

Older single-family houses

Wood-frame houses of the early and mid 20th century often have many hiding places: gaps in trim, old wallpaper, and attics or basements full of boxes. Reducing clutter before treatment is especially valuable here, because more places to hide mean more places for a technician to check. Keep belongings in sealed plastic bins once they have been laundered.

If you rent

  • Tell your landlord in writing as soon as you confirm bed bugs, and keep dated copies.
  • Do not withhold rent on your own. Ohio's landlord-tenant law has specific steps, and getting them wrong can put you at risk of eviction. Speak with legal aid first.
  • Cooperate with inspection and treatment schedules and follow the preparation instructions closely.

What to ask a local exterminator

  • Are you licensed in Ohio for commercial pesticide application, and can you show proof?
  • Will you treat both units of the double, and who arranges access to the other one?
  • How do you handle the basement, attic and any detached garage?
  • What does the guarantee cover, and what must I do to keep it?

Official resources

Ohio's landlord and tenant duties are set out in Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321, which includes the landlord's obligation to keep rental premises fit and habitable. For city housing and building code questions, check the City of Cleveland's Department of Building and Housing. This site is not legal advice; a legal aid office can tell you how the law applies to your situation.

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