MONTRÉAL, June 19, 2015 – Moving time is almost upon us and with it the possibility of an increase in bedbug infestations. The city would like to point out a few prevention tips and remind those who will be moving to leave their old apartments free of harmful insects and to avoid moving them to a new dwelling unit.
Acting quickly is the best solution
If you discover bedbugs in your apartment, immediately notify your landlord, who will need to call a certified exterminator. If the landlord does not act after a ten-day period, call 311 to notify your borough of the infestation problem. The borough could require action on the part of the landlord within a prescribed period under penalty of a fine.
Never try to get rid of bedbugs by yourself. The use of insecticides may be ineffective and are often toxic. These products could cause the bedbugs to spread to your neighbours’ dwellings or increase their resistance to extermination products.
Infested mattresses or furniture
Most bedbug-infested mattresses and upholstered furniture can be treated. Before getting rid of such items, ask a certified exterminator for advice.
If they cannot be treated and the exterminator tells you to get rid of them, make them unusable by slashing the fabric with a knife or an X-Acto. This way, people will not be tempted to bring the items home and they will avoid infesting their dwellings.
After slashing the fabric of your mattress, enclose it in an extra-large plastic bag before taking it out of your dwelling. This will prevent bedbugs from dropping from your mattress and infesting common areas as well as your neighbours’ apartments. Extra-large plastic bags are available for free at most Accès Montréal offices.
Never pick up mattresses, upholstered furniture, sofas, chairs, sofa-beds, futons or used clothing from the curb, even if they appear to be in good condition. They could be infested with bedbugs.
For more information on bedbugs, how to avoid or control infestations, please visit the Web at: avoidbedbugs.info. You will also find useful prevention tips for travellers.
SOURCE Ville de Montréal