Everything to Know About Bed Bugs in New York City – Pest Gnome

Click Free Pest Control Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free pest control quote today.

New York City is one of the greatest places on earth, a metropolis known for its world-leading arts, culture, entertainment, and finance. The downside? With a densely packed population of 8 million and millions more visitors streaming in from all over the world each year, its also the bed bug capital of the U.S. No wonder its The City That Never Sleeps.

But forewarned is forearmed, as they say, so this article covers everything you need to know about bed bugs in New York City, from identifying and eliminating them to preventing future infestations.

New York is among the worst cities for bed bugs: Dense population and major travel in the city create an ideal environment for them.

Tenants have the right to a bed bug-free home: The landlord has to treat bed bugs within 30 days. If not, they have to pay hefty fines.

Eliminate bed bugs quickly: Heat treatment with a steamer and bed bug sprays are highly effective DIY treatments. Pros use heat treatment or fumigation to get rid of bed bugs.

Preventing bed bugs is key: Regularly inspect your home, seal entry points, reduce clutter, use bed bug traps, travel cautiously, and use bed bug covers.

Bed bug treatment in NYC is expensive: The cost of treating bed bugs in New York City ranges between $338 and $1,038.

Yes. New York City routinely appears on Orkins annual list of Worst Cities in the United States for Bed Bugs. Not surprising, considering its the most populous city in the nation and is a major hub for national and international travel. Bed bugs can easily hitch a ride on travelers clothing, suitcase, and shoes and spread within the city.

Bed bugs can infest any place, regardless of its cleanliness. From dirty dorms to the cleanest five-star hotel rooms, they are everywhere. Homeowners in New York City should be proactive and inspect their property regularly to prevent bed bug infestation. If you spot bed bugs, eliminate them immediately to prevent the infestation from spreading.

There are 90 species of bed bugs. Fortunately, only two types among them are in the United States: Cimex lectularius (common bed bugs) and Cimex hemipterus (tropical bed bugs). The bed bugs you spot in your New York City home are usually Cimex lectularius.

Cimex lectularius is found throughout the U.S., while you can spot Cimex hemipterus in tropical and sub-tropical regions like Florida. However, Cimex hemipterus is primarily active in Southeast Asia and Africa and is found in much smaller numbers in the U.S.

These bloodsuckers look similar with flat, oval-shaped bodies in light brown to reddish-brown hues. They both measure the size of an apple seed and prefer to live in hidden and undisturbed spots.

Here are New York City ordinances on bed bugs:

Tenant

According to Subchapter 2, Article 4 of NYCs housing and maintenance code, tenants in New York City have the right to a bed bug-free home.

The tenant should inform the landlord about a bed bug infestation, cooperate with the landlord, and give access to the space to exterminate bed bugs. If the landlord doesnt inspect and fix the issue within 30 days, the tenant can file a complaint online or call 311.

The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will inspect the house to confirm the presence of bed bugs and issue an HPD Notice of Violation (NOV) to the landlord.

Note: The tenant shouldnt break the lease to avoid the risk of the landlord suing them for the remaining rent due.

Landlord

The landlord should hire a licensed pest control professional to treat bed bugs within 30 days. If not, they incur hefty fines because New York City lists bed bugs as a Class B violation, meaning they are hazardous.

According to Local Law 69 of 2017, the landlord should file an annual bed bug report, which should include:

The landlord should send the report to the tenant through email or post. They should also give suggestions to tenants on preventing bed bugs.

After a tenant vacates, the landlord should thoroughly inspect the house for bed bugs and clean it before a new tenant comes in.

Hotels in New York City have a legal responsibility to provide a safe stay for their guests. They should inspect the room for bed bugs every six months and treat them if necessary. There are a couple of resources that allow you to look up reports of bed bugs, so we recommend checking them out before you book a stay somewhere.

Recognizing the signs of bed bugs is crucial to protect your home from infestations. They include:

Bed bugs multiply quicker than you imagine. A female bed bug can lay between one and seven eggs each day and 500 eggs in her 10-month lifetime. If you spot these bloodsuckers, eliminate them immediately to prevent the infestation from growing.

Bed bugs prefer hidden spots, such as:

Use a torch and magnifying glass to inspect because spotting nymphs and bed bug eggs with the naked eye can be difficult.

Vacuuming is a simple and efficient way to get rid of bed bugs. It doesnt remove the eggs but can eliminate most of the bugs. Heres how to vacuum:

Bed bugs cling tightly to your mattress and other fabrics. Even after thorough vacuuming, some bugs may still remain on the surface. Deep clean your mattress to get rid of any remaining bed bugs and eggs. We recommend deep cleaning your mattress every six months to prevent bed bugs from returning.

Wash and dry mattress covers and duvets at the highest heat setting. Washing at high heat eliminates bed bugs and their eggs because they cant resist temperatures above 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you cant wash an item like a heavy duvet or curtain, dry clean them at the highest temperature.

Avoid moving an infested item into a clean room to prevent the infestation from spreading.

Bed bugs live in hidden and undisturbed spots. Remove these items because they create a safe zone for bed bugs to hide:

Cover electrical outlets before treatment to prevent bed bugs from hiding inside.

Note: If youre discarding an infested mattress or furniture, seal it in plastic and clearly label it as bedbug-infested so others wont take it to their home.

Heat treatment with a steamer is the most effective DIY bed bug treatment. You can also use chemical pesticides like MGK Bedlam Plus, but they only eliminate bed bugs and eggs that come in direct contact with the spray.

Other treatments like vinegar, alcohol, and diatomaceous earth can eliminate bed bugs but not their eggs.

Steamer

Steamers easily reach over 200 degrees Fahrenheit, eliminating bed bugs and their eggs. Heres how to use a steamer:

Chemical Pesticide

Spray thoroughly over all areas where bed bugs hide to eliminate the bugs and eggs. We recommend combining steamer and chemical pesticides for the best results.

Bed bug spray emits an unpleasant odor and can cause skin irritation, so wear gloves and a respirator. Also, ventilate the room properly after treatment.

Bed bugs are elusive, and some may have escaped the treatment, especially if they were hiding inside the mattress. Use a mattress cover to trap the bugs inside. The cover also protects you from red, itchy bites.

Place bed bug interceptors under each leg of your mattress and furniture to trap bed bugs as they try to climb.

If bed bugs keep returning, the infestation is severe, and you should hire a pro to get rid of them. Pros use heat treatment and fumigation to treat bed bugs.

Heat Treatment

In this treatment, pros use industrial heaters to raise the temperature throughout your home to levels lethal to bed bugs (120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit) and maintain it for six to nine hours, eliminating bed bugs in all life stages.

Heat treatment requires you to vacate your home. Take these items with you as they cant resist the heat:

Heat treatment doesnt involve chemicals, so it cant prevent future bed bug infestation. It costs $1 to $3 per square foot.

Fumigation

Fumigation involves sealing your home in a large tent and filling the space with fumigant gas. The gas penetrates every crack and crevice to eliminate bed bugs in all life stages. It can also eradicate other pests like termites, cockroaches, and rodents.

You should vacate your home during treatment because fumigant gas is toxic to humans and pets. Do these prep work before leaving:

Fumigation can prevent re-infestation to some extent. However, taking preventive measures is crucial to keep bed bugs at bay.

Fumigation costs $4 to $8 per square foot. Pros suggest this treatment only if no other treatments work because its complex and expensive.

If you want to know the cost of professional bed bug treatment, read this guide.

Bed bugs are persistent and can return even if they get the slightest chance. Heres how you can prevent them from returning:

Bed bugs can enter your home even through the tiniest gap. Seal the cracks in walls, windows, baseboards, and furniture to limit entry points for bed bugs.

Regularly check mattress seams, box springs, cracks in furniture, and electrical outlets for any signs of bed bugs. If you spot them, take action immediately to prevent the infestation from spreading.

Cluttered spots are dwelling areas for bed bugs. Remove items where bed bugs can hide, such as unused cardboard boxes, stacks of old newspapers, and unused furniture.

Place bed bug interceptors under each leg of your bed and couch to prevent bed bugs from climbing.

Inspect the seams and joints in second-hand furniture thoroughly before bringing it home.

Peeling edges or torn wallpaper are perfect hiding spots for bed bugs. Fix those spots so bed bugs dont turn your beautiful wallpaper into their house.

Bed bugs can hitch a ride on your shoes and infest your home. So, thoroughly check your shoes before entering your home and keep them organized.

Before settling into a hotel room, inspect it thoroughly for bed bugs, especially the mattress. Keep your luggage on a solid, elevated surface like a table, and ensure the surface isnt close to the wall.

After returning, thoroughly check your luggage, clothes, and shoes for bed bugs. Wash and dry them on high heat to get rid of any bugs hiding inside.

Use bed bug-proof encasements to cover your mattress and pillows to prevent bed bug infestation.

The national average cost of treating bed bugs ranges between $917 and $1,917, with most homeowners paying $308. Bed bug treatment in New York City costs $338 to $1,038, depending on the type of treatment and severity of infestation.

Packed subways are a perfect environment for bed bugs. Avoid them by standing whenever possible, keeping your bags with you rather than placing them on a seat, and washing and drying your clothes on high heat at home.

Here are the bugs that resemble bed bugs:

No, bed bugs dont carry or spread diseases. Their bites itch and cause mild discomfort. In hypersensitive people, the bites can lead to allergic reactions.

Bed bugs are a nuisance to homeowners. If you need help with them, get in touch with Pest Gnome. We connect you with the best pest control pros in your area who can help you with everything related to bed bugs, from identifying and treating them to preventing future infestations.

Pest Gnome participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other retailer affiliate programs. Pest Gnome may earn revenue from products promoted in this article.

Main Image Credits: Background: rabbit75_cav / Canva Pro / License Bed Bug: Mainely Photos / Canva Pro / License

The rest is here:
Everything to Know About Bed Bugs in New York City - Pest Gnome

Click Free Exterminator Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free exterminator quote today.