Bed bugs are small, flat, wingless insects. They feed on blood and can be a nuisance for individuals. They are named for their tendency to live on mattresses or other parts of a bed. They can be found in homes, condominiums, apartments, hotels, schools, dormitories, shelters, offices and many other places. For more information on bed bugs, click here.
In 2013, the City Council passed an ordinance to help address the problem of bed bugs. That ordinance is available here. The requirements established by this ordinance follow:
Rental Housing
The ordinance established several requirements for both landlords and tenants. Among these is a requirement that landlords must provide a brochure on bed bugs to tenants when signing a new or renewing an existing lease or other rental agreeement (note this requirement does not apply to owner-occupied buildings containing six units or less). The brochure,available in English, Spanish, Polish and Chinese, is available here. The brochure lists all of the requirements of the ordinance for both landlords and tenants.
Condominium and Cooperative Buildings
All governing associations need to have a written plan to address bed bugs. A sample plan was created to assist associations in developing their plans. That sample plan is available here and lists all of the requirements of the ordinance for those who own units within condominium or cooperative buildings. The sample plan also refers to a fact sheet that can be provided to unit owners. That fact sheet is available here.
Other Requirements
Additional Resources
Guidance on how to choose and work with a pest management professional.
Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
Illinois Department of Public Health/Bed Bugs
Midwest Pesticide Action Center
National Pest Management Association Best Practices for Managing Bed Bugs
United States Environmental Protection Agency
University of Minnesota Bed Bug Information Line: 612-624-2200, 1-855-644-2200, bedbugs@umn.edu
University of Minnesota Bed Bug resource page: http://www.bedbugs.umn.edu/resources/
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City of Chicago :: Bed Bugs