Texas Bedbug Laws

Bed Bug (Photo credit: agrilifetoday)

Across much of the United States, bedbug infestations have reached epidemic levels; and the State of Texas has not been immune to these tiny bloodsuckers. In San Antonio, bedbugs have been found in homes, apartments, dorms, trains, airplanes, theaters, and of course, hotels. Even high end hotels have had unfortunate bedbug encounters. The rich and poor alike have been victims, as bedbugs do not play favorites. If you have been a victim of bedbugs, whether you’re a property manager or tenant, it is important that you understand the bedbug laws in the State of Texas.

Texas Bedbug Laws

Out of the 22 different states that have bedbug laws, Texas happens to be one of them that has laws that mention bedbugs specifically. The State of Texas currently has two bedbug laws. They read as follows:

Texas Revised Code Sec. 341.011. NUISANCE

Bedbugs are a public health nuisance.

Texas Revised Code Sec. 341.012. ABATEMENT OF NUISANCE

(a) A person shall abate a public health nuisance existing in or on a place the person possesses as soon as the person knows that the nuisance exists.

(b) A local health authority who receives information and proof that a public health nuisance exists in the local health authority’s jurisdiction shall issue a written notice ordering the abatement of the nuisance to any person responsible for the nuisance. The local health authority shall at the same time send a copy of the notice to the local municipal, county, or district attorney.

(c) The notice must specify the nature of the public health nuisance and designate a reasonable time within which the nuisance must be abated.

(d) If the public health nuisance is not abated within the time specified by the notice, the local health authority shall notify the prosecuting attorney who received the copy of the original notice. The prosecuting attorney: (1) shall immediately institute proceedings to abate the public health nuisance; or (2) request the attorney general to institute the proceedings or provide assistance in the prosecution of the proceedings, including participation as an assistant prosecutor when appointed by the prosecuting attorney.

Enlist An Attorney

Whether you are a landlord, tenant, property manager, or vacationer who brought home bedbugs, and you are battling a bedbug infestation, seek assistance from an attorney who specializes in bedbug infestations. This blog post is for informational purposes only.

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Staying Safe from the Bite of the Bed Bug

The mention of bed bugs brings fear and itching to many. Bed bugs are seed-sized, flat insects that like to harbor in mattresses, sheets, clothes and bed frames. They need to feed on blood to reproduce and survive; however, bed bugs can live up to a year without a meal. They hide during the daytime and feast on their victims at night. Their bite can create an itchy, and sometimes, highly allergic reaction in people. Once a home has an infestation, it can be very difficult to remedy the situation. A professional exterminator is usually needed. Recently, the spread of the bugs has been very high, so it is important to protect your home from an infestation. Simple fixes, such as decluttering and buying a memory foam mattress, can help reduce the risk of a bed bug problem.

In order to be infested with bed bugs, the environment must be directly exposed. Bed bugs tend to nest where there are high traffic levels, such as in hotels, apartments and dorms. They catch a ride to their next home by latching onto suitcases or clothing. Once in a location, the insects breed and hide in hard to see spots. Some of their favorite hiding places are in mattress seams, pillowcases and bed frame crevices. Bed bugs like to crawl inside of mattresses, but a memory foam mattress does not make a welcome home for them.

Since bed bugs are often brought home after a vacation, it is important to know how to check for the critters. When checking into a hotel room, examine the bed for evidence of bed bug feces. Look in mattress seams and at the folds of the linens. If bugs are in the room, it is best to keep your luggage away from them. Place all luggage and purses on a desk or nightstand that is far from the bed. Bed bugs do not fly or jump. A hotel that features a bed with a latex or memory foam mattress is less likely to be infested.

When decorating a bedroom at home, there are many ways to make it bed bug unfriendly. Bed bugs like to nest in the hollow spaces of a spring mattress. A latex or memory foam mattress has a solid core, with is very uninviting for the insects. It is also wise to encase the mattress with a bug-proof cover. The box springs are also vulnerable, so keeping them covered is also important. Metal bed frames offer fewer hiding places for the bugs. Be sure to keep clutter to a minimum. These few steps will make your home less susceptible to bed bugs.