DRAFT

[date]

[addressee]

Re: bed bugs at [building(s)]

Dear [  ]:

The tenants of [building] have formed a tenants association to focus on resolving the bed bug problem in our buildings.  We are writing to request your cooperation in eradicating existing infestations and preventing further spread.

The likelihood of failure to achieve control is very high when there is no coordination between the pest management company, the building management, and building residents, as has been the case in our building to date.  Another factor in the failure to control infestations is the over-reliance on pesticide treatments to which the bed bugs are resistant.

We are prepared to assist you in reversing these trends.

What will be necessary in our buildings is a multi-faceted treatment plan that incorporates the best available methods of detection and removal and the most effective pesticides, based on current research and best practices.

THE FACTS OF THE CURRENT SPREAD

The tenants of [building] have discovered through talking with one another, and [...] that there are bed bug infestations in both buildings. As far as we know, in [building] apartments [x,y,z] are infested and in [building], apartment [x] is infested, and has been for some time. 

Each apartment is being treated one at a time and in [building], bed bugs have spread very quickly to apartments [y and z], since apt. [x] had an extermination. Each apartment is getting treated singly, as tenants call. 

The residents of apartments [y and z] were not notified of the infestation in apartment [x].  Indeed, no building residents have been notified of the spreading infestations.  Apartments [y and z] were not inspected at the time of apartment [x's] bed bug treatments.  We believe that the bed bug treatments applied in apartment [x] were not only ineffective in controlling the infestation, but were also very likely responsible for causing the bed bugs to spread to apartments [y and z]

We believe that there may be other apartments in the building that are or have been recently infested because a number of mattresses have been discarded in the building.  One of them was labeled with a bed bug warning sign.

CHALLENGES

It is critical to inspect, monitor and treat as necessary apartments adjoining an infested apartment (1) (2).  Recent research also suggests that across the hall dispersal needs to be considered (3).

Ideally, all tenants should be notified of any infestations in our buildings. Bed bugs spread between adjoining units and tenants can unwittingly bring bed bugs to their home on their clothing if they are visiting a neighbor in an infested apartment. Since tenants routinely visit one another at [building], knowing where the infestations are is vital to prevent bed bugs from further spreading.

Common areas such as hallways, elevator, laundry room should be inspected and treated as well as the basement, where many of us have seen unsealed bed bug infested items. Just other day, a tenant saw unsealed bed bug infested items just sitting in the hallway before being transported to the basement.  Tenants and building staff should be educated about the risks of unsealed infested items (4).

Bed bugs are resistant to many of the pesticides used today. It is therefore crucial to employ a multi-faceted approach including dusting, sealing, steaming, rotating chemicals and using passive monitors such as Climbup Interceptors. Further, to aid in preventing the spread to uninfested units, dusting and sealing should be done by the pest management company. Dusting and sealing for a bed bug infestation requires a level of attention and expertise that only a pest control operator has.

Also, research shows that bed bugs have developed resistance to deltamethrin, the active ingredient in Suspend (5), and avoid surfaces treated with deltamethrin (6). Further, to use Exciter, a flushing agent first, and then use a chemical that bed bugs avoid, seems a recipe for not only not eradicating the problem, but likely causing their spread.

OUR REQUESTS

Adjoining Apartments

Apartments that adjoin an identified infestation should be inspected by the pest management company.

Climbup Interceptors or other comparable inexpensive detection tools should be deployed in those apartments.  The residents should be trained about the proper use of these detection devices.

Apartments should receive a professional crack and crevice dust application, followed by pest-proofing sealants.

Identified Infestations

Existing infestations should be treated, following a careful professional inspection, with judicious applications of effective pesticides and dusts plus non-chemical methods as appropriate (vacuuming and steaming).  The use of Suspend SC should be immediately reconsidered in favor of more effective materials.  Follow-up inspections and treatments should be scheduled until the infestation is eradicated.  

Common areas

Common areas should be inspected and treated as necessary.

The schedule of inspection and treatment for all affected apartments should be shared with the association so that we can keep track of the spread and assist with disseminating useful information to those who need it most.

We look forward to working with you on these pressing issues.  A member of the association will call you early next week to set up a time to discuss a workable prevention and control plan for both buildings.

Sincerely,


[the tenants of buildings a and b]


REFERENCES

(1) New York City Bed Bug Advisory Board. 2010. Recommendations for the Management of Bed Bugs in New York City, Appendix C - Pest Management Guidelines, 2(f): "In multi-occupancy buildings, surrounding units should be included in the scope of service." 

(2) [omitted]

(3) Wang, C., K. Saltzmann, E. Chin, G. W. Bennett, T. Gibb. 2010. Characteristics of Cimex lectularius (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), Infestation and Dispersal in a High-Rise Apartment Building. Journal of Economic Entomology 103(1):172-177

(4) New York City Bed Bug Advisory Board. 2010. Recommendations for the Management of Bed Bugs in New York City, Appendix E - Suggested Guidelines for Disposal of BedBug Infested Items: "To avoid the possible spread of bed bugs in a building, all items should be properly wrapped, bagged or otherwise contained to prevent migration of bed bugs off the infested items as they are moved through the building for disposal. Items such as mattresses, box springs and other high risk items should be rendered unusable prior to being wrapped for disposal."

(5) Yoon, Kyong Sup, Deok Ho Kwon, Joseph P. Strycharz, Craig S. Hollingsworth, Si Hyeock Lee, and J. Marshall Clark. 2008. Biochemical and Molecular Analysis of Deltamethrin Resistance in the Common Bed Bug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). Journal of Medical Entomology 45, no. 6 (11): 1092-1101. 

(6) Romero, Alvaro, Michael F. Potter, and Kenneth F. Haynes. 2009. Behavioral Responses of the Bed Bug to Insecticide Residues. Journal of Medical Entomology 46(1): 51-57.