Certain states have specific bed bug laws regarding infestations and/or their control, which have been around since the early 20th century, when they were even more prevalent than they are today.
However, the 21st century has experienced a resurgence of these pests (here is a useful reference about the same), resulting in the reassessment and updating of certain regulations.
States with Bed Bug Laws
The EPA has stated that there are currently 21 states with a modicum of law or regulation applying to bed bugs. Nine of those states have had those laws in place since 2005. There is an animal control in Vaughan that has earned quite some reputation in a short while and helps these states to keep these laws in place.
Typically, requirements have a focus on landlords, hotels, or other types of property managers. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, these are the states with specific laws pertaining to bed bugs:
- For rental properties: California, Arizona, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Florida
- For hotels: Alabama, Kansas, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, California, West Virginia, and South Dakota
- For institutional facilities: Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Michigan
- For schools: Utah and New York
- For railcars: Illinois
- For migrant labor camps: Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Iowa
- As general public health nuisances: Kansas, Texas, and Arizona
NCSL also has a table that provides the statute along with a brief summary of the existing regulations in each state. A few examples include:
- In Florida, landlords are required to make reasonable provisions for the extermination of bed bugs in rental property.
- Nevada requires infested hotel rooms to undergo fumigation, disinfection, and renovation until the infestation is complete eradicated. The law also applies to other pests.
- Wisconsin law dictates that institutions take all the necessary steps to eliminate infestations of all types.
- In Arizona, bed bugs found in any public sleeping accommodations are considered to be public nuisances and health hazards.
While the EPA regulates pesticides used to combat bed bug infestations, it doesn’t include any regulations regarding the reporting and management of bed bug cases. However, the organization does include a document from the National Pest Management Association that provides detailed information about state bed bug laws.
On the other hand, the rules haven’t been updated since 2013, so the EPA recommends checking with your state for any new laws or changes to existing laws.
You can find more information about different state bed bug laws on the organization’s state bed bug laws page on their website. There you’ll be able to learn more about the different laws for various states pertaining to bed bug infestations.
Contact Bed Bug Lawyers for Representation Following Injuries
If you have experienced bed bug bites as a result of an infestation in your home, apartment, hotel, or other location, you may be entitled to compensation with the help of a bed bug bite attorney. He or she can determine if you have a case and recover damages for physical injury, mental, emotional, and financial distress you experienced as a result from your bites.
An attorney can also help you learn more about your state’s bed bug laws if there are any in place.
Be First to Comment