Submitted by "Anonymous" on 10/10/2007

DATE: 10/10/07
STREET: AStoria

I am speaking on behalf of all landlords who care and want to take care of this horrible problem

I am a landlord in Astoria. I was born and raised in Astoria and had never had to worry about Bed Bugs.

Back in 2001 I renovated a 3 family house that was passed on to me from grandfather. i spent a pretty penny. Rented my aprtments to great people and that was that.
In 2004 tenants moved out and new tenants moved in. One month later they told me they are getting bit by bed bugs. I freaked out. I to live in the building. When i told them i never had a problem before they said \" well i bought a new mattress\" for $200 maybe it\'s that. I personaly feel they picked it up from the street. I immediately took care of the problem by hiring a liscenced exterminator, vaccuming entire building thoroughly etc. for precaution. TOOK CARE OF PROBLEM. Everyone was happy $ 500 dollars later

Now October 2007, basement tenants have been living there for 1 1/2 years never had a problem. Said that they have been getting bit and have discarded 2 matresses since July. They never told me. Instead used RAID and made problem worse. My tenant said well i did bring in a hand me down rug 3 months ago. I know for a fact they probably saw it in teh street said WOW look at that nice rug and brought it into my home. HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!

I decided to write this Email because i get really upset when tenants blame the landlord. I personally as a landlord have done everyting from exterminating.... to... sealing every apartment with silicone and IM FED UP!!!

TENANTS NEED TO STOP BRINGING IN STUFF FROM THE STREET AND BORROWING FURNITURE FROM FRIENDS WHO ARE MOVING FROM N.Y.
STOP GOING TO THRIFT SHOPS IT IS NO LONGER TRENDY!! THOSE PLACES ARE INFESTED
DO NOT TRY OVER THE COUNTER SPRAYS BECAUSE THAT IS WAHT MAKES BED BUGS SPREAD TO OTHER PARTS OF APARTMENT

Finally, I dont want to attack tenants because sometimes its truly not there fault. We are all writing are stories but the city is letting those dirtbag guys in their vans pick up all the garbage matresses from the street, stack up on their van from and sell them to stores where then they are refurbished.
Lets all try to work together so when you see that dirty man in the van call 311 and report there plates.

Unanymous in Astoria

Submitted by "UGH" on 01/03/2007

Moved into the landlords' previous apartment on July 1st from basement apartment (in same building) and got bit from day one. No previous problems before move in. 2nd of three roommates began getting bit in September. Landlord hired an exterminator 3 times between July and October and they BOMBED everytime. Finally having a bed bug specialist come in January 2007.