One of my clients expressed concern about bedbugs and that she is really worried about them. I have heard of the problem but didn't realize the extent of the issue and knew nothing about bedbugs, how they infiltrate a home, their life cycle and how to try to get rid of them. Oh so many years ago I lived on the upper West Side of Manhattan. Cockroaches were the bain of my existence then. I lived in a brownstone on West 85th Street, a walk up. My friends and I who were all just starting out lived with these bugs. We were told they were the oldest living bug. Now, it seems that the bedbug is the new roach.
In New York City there are more and more complaints being filed against landlords. These bugs can cause significant disturbance to one's life. This is no longer just an issue for travelers but is in homes across the country.
TYPICALLY, the problem starts with the bites: itchy, reddish welts that leave their victims wondering if they have a rash or have had an allergic reaction to something. Often, the next step is a visit to the doctor, followed by calls to the landlord, the superintendent and the exterminator.
The cause is the bedbug, the nocturnal, blood-sucking insect that is making a comeback in urban housing across North America. Complaints about bedbugs in rental apartments in New York City more than doubled last year and are on target to reach a record this year.
To read the complete story fron the New York Times, here.
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Yuck -- as if we don't have enough to deal with in real estate -- now it's bed bugs ! ~Evelyn
I am such a paranoid traveller these days because of the bedbug issue. Its hard to tell what's worse: the bedbugs or the toxic chemicals we used to spray in order to kill them!
I had this happen once and it was aweful. We insisted the hotel give us another room! It makes one not want to travel.
Miriam,
Thanks for the post. This has truly become a real enigma in New York. I attended a week long conference in New York last year. I did not want to commute from New Jersey every morning and I did not consider the midtown Sheraton, which was the host hotel (not quite up to par for me). So I stayed with my brother in Manhattan.
As if the paranoia of traveling isn't bad enough, now it could become a concern in a home purchase! Oh yuck! And then there's fleas too.
SO since I am staying in a hotel in Albany monday evening on NYSAR business... I am really happy to have read this blog... NOT. However.... its not just bed bugs.... an agent in my office is getting a listing because someone called her and said they hate bugs, they hate apartment living because there are bugs which she never knew would exist that way because when she lived in a house.... you know the drill. Anyway she saw a silver fish in her bathroom and that was it. Listing coming on the market in a few weeks. She is moving back home. guess the bug bugged her!
just thought of something else.... have you seen Ocean's Thirteen???? There is a grerat bed bug scene. too funny! its amazing... you just cant make this stuff up! keep washing your sheets!
Jim, gee thanks for the picture - think they are gross so I didn't post it myself.
Evelyn, yuk is right
Ray, pick your poison
Joan, would probably have checked out!
William, watch your back don't think the problem is unique to New York.
Patricia, apparently not, that's the problem
JP - enjoy your trip to Albany. Lot's of travelers I know bring their own sheets and pillow cases. Just a thought. Don't remember the scene from Ocean's Thirteen. Would you tube and post if I could just isolate that scene.