Seniors Raise Bed Bug Concerns at Downtown Sacramento Housing Complex
Residents of an affordable senior housing complex in downtown Sacramento, California, say an ongoing bed bug problem is affecting multiple apartments, while questions remain about whether pest-control efforts have been enough to resolve it.
KCRA 3 spoke with roughly a dozen residents of Park Place Apartments, a 14-story senior housing complex near 13th and N streets, just blocks from the State Capitol. Several residents said they have personally encountered bed bugs or know neighbors who have. One tenant described waking up feeling as though bugs were crawling on them, while another resident, Sherrill Battreall, said she has seen bites on neighbors who are dealing with the problem.
This bed bug problem underscores the challenges bed bug infestations can create in multi-unit housing.
Recognizing a pest threat before it becomes a full-blown problem is an important part of protecting our homes, gardens, and communities.
Pests can damage plants and property, contaminate food, and, in some cases, bite or spread disease. Prevention and proper identification should always come first, but we also have to recognize that infestations can still occur. When they do, homeowners and gardeners need access to effective tools to bring the situation under control. Pesticides are one of several tools available, and when they are needed, they should be used carefully, judiciously, and according to the product label.
Too often, we overlook the importance of pest control when the threat isn't right in front of us. But perspectives can change quickly when mosquitoes are biting, ants or cockroaches have invaded a home, termites are damaging a structure, or another pest problem has become difficult to manage. The goal should be to prepare before reaching that point, not to wait for an infestation to remind us why effective pest-management options matter.
We can protect our environment while ensuring homeowners and communities have the tools they need to respond when pests threaten our homes, gardens, property, and health. The two priorities can and should work together: recognize the threat, choose the appropriate solution, read the label, and apply responsibly.