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"New Jersey Bed Bugs Infestations continue to be a problem throughout the State. Infestations are found in high and low-income areas. They are spread by insects that hitch a ride in luggage, on clothing and even shoes. Bed bugs are found in hotels, theaters, public transportation and anywhere there are people. According to the New Jersey State Legislature, the problem has increased 500% over the past several years, resulting in new legislation designed to protect tenants in multi-unit buildings (see below for your pest removal rights)."
Bed Bugs From Nymph (baby) to Adult Found in New Jersey. The Insects Pass Through 5 Life Stages before Becoming an Adult.According to Bell Environmental services, the number of bed bug pest removal related calls in New Jersey homes and apartments is dramatically increasing. In Patterson, complaints increased from 2 per week prior to 10 per week. According to NorthJersey.com and the New Jersey State Legislature, reports of bed bug infestations are up 500% in the past decade. Bed bugs have been found at multiple locations in the State including a movie theater, schools, and hotels.
Recent reports even found bed bugs in buildings in the New Jersey capital.
This mirrors a 34% year over year increase reported in nearby New York City. A recent New York Times article indicates that the infestation is so widespread in New York, that you should just assume a building has a problem.
In 2009 the New Jersey state Assembly passed a "bed bug bill" requiring landlords to treat infestations and that fines them $300 if they don't. Legislation passed in the State Legislature is considered to be a model for the rest of the country.
Adult Bed Bug and EggsNew Jersey Bed Bug treatment
The approach to treat a bed bug problem is different in a private home vs. an apartment. Our suggestions for both are listed below:
Private Homes
The first decision when treating bed bugs is to either take a do it yourself approach or to call in a professional.
A New Jersey Bed Bug Exterminator costs $300 - $500 for an onsite inspection and estimate. The higher cost involves the use of a bed bug sniffing dog.
The treatment itself can cost $750 or more per room. Heat remediation for an entire home can cost $4,000 or more.
It is significantly less expensive to do it yourself, however, if an infestation is large or if bed bugs have entered the walls, then a professional exterminator is the best option. Even professionals consider bed bugs the hardest insect to kill.
We would not purchase a single bed bug spray from a store like Home Depot since multiple sprays are needed (contact and longer lasting) along with detailed instructions. For example, a contact spray will kill bed bugs and eggs, but will not provide any lasting protection against bed bugs that have not hatched or that are hiding in the walls. Instead, purchase a kit from a company that specializes in-home bed bug extermination such as one from Bed Bug Supply.
These kits cost $70 - $200 (depends on product selection and number of rooms to be treated) and contains all of the products needed to kill the bed bugs and prevent them from returning. Included in most kits will be two sprays (to kill bed bugs on contact and to create a field that kills any bed bugs for several weeks), natural dust (for around electrical outlets and to provide longer-term protection) and a steamer to kill naturally using heat.
See our complete guide on getting rid of bed bugs for step by step home treatment instructions.
Hiring a New jersey Bed Bug Exterminator
We always recommend hiring a bed bug exterminator over doing it yourself.
We suggest calling a national company such as Home Advisor. You can also call 877.673.2704.
These services will connect you with several exterminators where you can compare quotes. When speaking with each company ask about experience and best practices in your area. They will also offer a free home inspection that will confirm that there actually is a bed bug problem vs. insects that have a similar appearance. They will also know about any bed bug insecticide resistance in your area (a common problem in the Northeast)
Exterminators often need 2 to 3 treatments. For this reason, only work with an exterminator that will provide a guarantee.
Ask for bedbugs specific references to ensure that the business you select will be effective. You can also make a request here.
New jersey bed bugs tenant rights
New Jersey has one of the best laws for protecting renters in bed bug infested buildings.
New Jersey law states that a landlord offers a "warranty of habitability" which means that a landlord has a duty to provide tenants with a livable, safe apartment that is not infested with any kind of insects.
The exception is if the landlord can prove that a tenant has caused the problem (which is very difficult to do.)
If the apartment building or building has 3 or more apartments, then the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Health and Safety Code" applies. This states that the landlord must get rid of bed bugs if they are in multiple apartments (see NJ code N.J.A.C. 5:10-10-2.)
See below for a PDF of the New Jersey Bed Bugs Act.
Bed Bugs when REnting a Single family home
For anyone renting a single family home, or an apartment in a building that has up to 2 apartments, the local housing code applies. In this case, it is the tenant's responsibility to exterminate for bed bugs. The exception is if you can demonstrate that the problem existed before you moved in then it would be the landlord's responsibility.
Read any lease carefully to see who is responsible for extermination.
Regardless, the moment you see a problem, notify the landlord in writing.
Video: Tips From A New Jersey Exterminator
Video featuring Dr. Frischman, one of the most respected and experienced Bed Bug Field Entomologists in New Jersey.Legal services
Low-income individuals in New Jersey may qualify for low cost or subsidized legal services. This will become necessary if you need to take action against a landlord, managing company or even a hotel.
Contact Legal Services of New Jersey for office locations and income requirements.
New jersey Bed Bugs Reports in hotels
New Jersey has had 865 bedbug reports in hotels and apartments. According to the BedBug Registry, reports were submitted from people that stayed at the following hotels. Note that problems occur at just about every hotel and are usually quickly treated.
When checking in ask if your room or any adjacent rooms (next door, above, below) have been recently treated. If yes, request a different room.
NewJersey Bed Bug Hotel Reports:
Hilton Newark Airport, Elizabeth
Holiday Inn Express, Carneys Point
Days Inn Neptune Nj, Neptune
Trump Plaza Hotel And Casino, Atlantic City
Residence Inn By Marriott Tinton Falls, Tinton Falls
Hilton Hasbrouck Heights/Meadowlands, Hasbrouck Heights
Red Roof Edison, Edison
Sheraton Edison Hotel Raritan Center, Edison
Hilton Woodcliff Lake, Woodcliff Lake
Quality Inn, Gloucester City
Hyatt Morristown, Morristown
Madison Hotel, Morristown
Meadowlands Plaza Hotel, Secaucus
Crowne Plaza Hotel Philadelphia-Cherry Hill, Cherry Hill
Sheraton Meadowlands, East Rutherford
Somerset Hills Hotel, Warren
Olde Mill Inn, Basking Ridge
Fairfield Inn Absecon, Absecon
Homewood Newark Cranford, Cranford
Loop Inn Motor Lodge, Avenel
Benedict Motel, Linden
Hilton Short Hills, Short Hills
Howard Johnson Downtown, Atlantic City
Travelers Lodge, Atco
Red Carpet Inn Berlin, Berlin
La Mer Motor Inn, Cape May
Days Inn Atlantic City, Atlantic City
Bally's Casino Resort, Atlantic City
Surfside Motel - Seaside Heights, Seaside Heights
Hampton Inn Woodbridge, Woodbridge
Sheraton Atlantic City Hotel, Atlantic City
Tropicana Casino And Resort, Atlantic City
Hilton Fort Lee, Fort Lee
Fairfield Inn & Suites Parsippany, Parsippany
Showboat Casino Hotel Atlantic City, Atlantic City
Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, Atlantic City
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City
Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City
Four Points By Sheraton Newark Airport, Elizabeth
Hanover Marriott, Whippany
Westminster Hotel, Livingston
Ramada Inn And Conference Center East Hanover, East Hanover
Sheraton Parsippany Hotel, Parsippany
Harrahs Atlantic City, Atlantic City
Caesars Atlantic City Hotel Cas, Atlantic City
Bally's Atlantic City, Atlantic City
Best Western Hazlet Inn, Hazlet
Pan American Hotel, Wildwood Crest
Imperial 500 Motel, Wildwood Crest
Waters Edge Motel, Wildwood Crest
Lotus Inn, Wildwood Crest
Days Inn North Bergen, North Bergen
Glendale Motel, Seaside Heights
Village Motel Wall, Wall Township
Doubletree Hotel Mahwah, Mahwah
Howard Johnson Ramsey, Ramsey
Ramada Inn Rochelle Park, Rochelle Park
Bridgewater Marriott, Bridgewater
Sheraton Suites On The Hudson, Weehawken
Oceanic Motel, Wildwood
Renaissance Meadowlands, Rutherford
Courtyard Lyndhurst Meadowlands, Lyndhurst
Blacklisted Journalist, Elizabeth
Holiday Inn Hasbrouck Heights, Hasbrouck Heights
Holiday Inn And Conference Center Saddle Brook, Saddle Brook
Crowne Plaza Hotel Englewood, Englewood
Cape Harbor Motor Inn, Cape May
The Star Inn, Cape May
Knolls Resort, Wildwood
Nantucket Motel, Wildwood
La Sammana Hotel, Brigantine
La Quinta Inn Paramus, Paramus
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Tower Center Ne, East Brunswick
Holiday Inn South Plainfield, South Plainfield
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Tower Center New Brunswick, East Brunswick
Holiday Inn Edison, Edison
Holiday Inn Princeton, Princeton
A Gilded Cage, Tenafly
Courtyard Ewing Hopewell, Ewing
Howard Johnson Clifton, Clifton
Howard Johnson North Bergen, North Bergen
Comfort Suites North Bergen, North Bergen
Grand Hotel Of Cape May, Cape May
Embassy Suites Hotel Parsippany, Parsippany
Days Inn Parsippany, Parsippany
Holiday Inn Parisippany, Parsippany
Howard Johnson Express Inn Parsippany, Parsippany
Comfort Inn Bordentown, Bordentown
Sleep Inn Cinnamison, Cinnaminson
Quality Inn & Conference Center, Maple Shade
Beach Club Hotel, Ocean City
Impala Island Inn, Ocean City
Georgian Hotel, Ocean City
Howard Johnson Express Blackwood, Blackwood
Days Inn Bordentown, Bordentown
Residence Inn By Marriott Philadelphia Cherry Hill, Cherry Hill
Comfort Inn North, Absecon
Rodeway Inn Absecon, Absecon
Comfort Inn, Absecon
Econo Lodge Somers Point, Somers Point
Harbor View Trump Marina, Atlantic City
Staybridge Suites Philadelphia Mt Laurel, Mount Laurel
Tropicana Casino & Resort, Atlantic City
Hilton Woodbridge, Iselin
Radisson Hotel Piscataway, Piscataway
Motel 6, Piscataway
Extended Stay Deluxe Piscataway Rutgers, Piscataway
Hilton East Brunswick, East Brunswick
Days Inn Edison, Edison
Park Ridge Marriott, Park Ridge
Crowne Plaza Hotel Fairfield, Fairfield
local and State government Brochures
new jersey Legal resources
New Jersey bedbugs in the news
5 years of bed bugs: What's landlord, state doing to help tenants?
mycentraljersey.com
New Jersey Assemblywoman Joan Quigley presses campaign against bedbugs
- The Star.com
N.J. lawmakers approve 'bed bug bill'
- thestar.com
Bed Bug Eradication Continues in Atlantic City Public Housing
- Press of Atlantic City
Citing bedbug infestation, Newark residents charge pattern of neglect at New Community Corp.
- 680 News Radio
