Pests are common in US homes, especially in warm places and in apartment buildings. Having them does not mean you are dirty. Act early and tell the landlord.
Small brown insects that run when lights go on, often in kitchens and bathrooms.
Keep food in closed containers, wipe crumbs, take out trash daily, fix leaks, do not leave pet food out at night.
Gel baits and bait stations from stores are safer than sprays. Read the label.
Small, flat, reddish-brown insects the size of an apple seed. They bite at night and hide in mattress seams, bed frames and furniture.
Signs: lines of itchy bites, small dark spots or tiny blood stains on sheets.
Bedbugs travel in luggage, used furniture and clothes. Check hotel beds and used furniture.
Do not try to treat bedbugs alone with "bug bombs" (foggers). They usually do not work and can spread the bugs. Professional treatment is usually needed, and in apartments the units next to yours may need checking too.
Wash and dry bedding and clothes on high heat.
Signs: small dark droppings, chewed food packages, sounds in walls at night.
Seal food, close gaps around pipes, keep trash closed.
Snap traps work; poisons are dangerous for children and pets. In apartments, let maintenance handle them.
Do not sweep or vacuum droppings dry. Wet them with a disinfectant first and wear gloves.
Ants, termites, fleas, scorpions in some dry areas, and mosquitoes. Report anything that keeps coming back.
Reporting to the landlord
Take photos or catch one insect in a clear tape or bag.
Report it in writing through the portal or email, with the date.
Ask when pest control will come and what you must do to prepare (empty cabinets, wash clothes).
Keep records. In many places, landlords must deal with serious pests as part of keeping the home habitable. This differs by state.
Spraying many pesticides inside. Many are unsafe when used too much, especially near children and food.
Bringing home a free mattress or sofa from the street. It is a common way to get bedbugs.
Waiting months to report. Problems grow and spread to neighbors.