Hate this topic, but it might save you a real headache or two or three!

BED BUGS SPREAD DURING MOVING WEEK, NEW LAW WOULD MAKE TENANTS RESPONSIBLE FOR COSTS BY DEFAULT

Thousands of tenants are moving this week in Madison, and their bed bugs may be moving with them! We estimate that Madison is only a few years behind the bed bug epidemic in places like New York City, and prevention is the key to stopping that progress – especially since a new WI Senate bill would make it easier for landlords to charge tenants for extermination, making tenants less likely to report an infestation since they could end up owing thousands of dollars for being a victim of one. “Hippie Christmas” is the annual curb-side shopping spree on August 14 when tenants leave clothes, furniture, books, appliances, and other possessions on the side of the street, free to a good home. Here are some very important reminders for anyone looking to snag second-hand furnishings:

· Inspect all items closely for signs of pests – insects, eggs, and small fecal stains.

· No matter what they look like, leave upholstered items and mattresses on the curb! Cockroaches and bed bugs love the dark, tight spaces in the fabric and in cardboard boxes.

· If you are moving and disposing of any items such as mattresses or pillows that you believe might be infested, consider spray-painting the item with the words “BED BUGS” to deter others from picking up the item and spreading the infestation further. Remember: We’re all in this together!

MORE INFORMATION ON PREVENTING BED BUGS

Bed bug information in several languages: http://www.bed bugs.umn.edu/ resources/

CHANGES TO “BED BUGS” LAWS IN SENATE BILL 173:

Among many other changes which favor landlords, this bill would make tenants responsible for bed bug and other pest infestations by default, even though the origins of a bed bug infestation is nearly impossible to prove. Bed bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat, they can migrate to adjacent units in an apartment building,they can live for up to a year without feeding, and some people do not even react to their bites. The cost of extermination, which can be thousands of dollars, is already “presumed reasonable unless proved otherwise by the tenant.” Under the new bill, if a tenant fails to assist in the treatment OR if the landlord thinks the tenant brought in the pests, the tenant will, by default, have to pay for the treatment or fix it themselves.

Many tenants are already afraid of reporting a bed bug infestation. They might falsely believe they could be evicted for having bed bugs. Others are afraid of non-renewals, bad landlord references, or expensive extermination costs, and might resort to home remedies that actually make the problem worse. If there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that preventative measures and collaborative efforts are essential for stopping these evil creatures from spreading!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Website:www.tenantresourcecenter.org | Phone: (608) 257-0006

EXTRA HOURS: You can find us tabling at Live on King Street Friday, August 16, at Africa Fest and the Schenk Corners Block Party Saturday, August 17 and at Triangle Ethnic Fest Sunday, August 18!