Inspired by Melanie Asmar's recent post asking how much landlords need to tell tenants about bedbug problems, readers aplenty have recounted tales of fighting against these voracious pests.
The one that follows is one of the worst — and it was so traumatizing that the author has given up on apartment living.
Here's her take.
Lisa Marie writes:
Yes I definitely do! After I left my husband, I got an apartment in Lakewood and I asked if they had any bed bug problems in my apartment or building. They told me no! Lo and behold, 3 months into my lease, I was getting chowed on every night. Then i got info that our apartment had been infested with the tenets before us. The problem got worse even after plenty of sprays. The guy below me had them and either wasn't aware of the problem or didn't give a shit. All three apartments below me ended up infested and the management really wasn't giving any help for our concerns. After throwing away all my furniture away for the second time, sleeping on air mattress and having lawn chairs for furniture, living out of trash bags, constantly washing blankets and cloths and staying at hotels to get a break from the bites, I ended up having to move before my lease was up. I hated being in there, it creeped me out... It didn't feel like home and it was costing me tons of money. Now i refuse to live in apartment buildings cause of the fear of my life being ruined like that again.
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts. For more memorable takes, visit our Comment of the Day archive.
