New City Council Legislation Aimed at Bed Bug Infestation

NEW YORK—In response to concerns about the City’s growing number of bed bug infestations, the New York City Council’s Committees on Consumer Affairs, Sanitation, and Health held a joint hearing Tuesday on three bills that seek to improve the City’s administrative and technical mechanisms for increasing public education, resources, and consumer awareness in choosing informed exterminating services. Council Member Brewer, the primary sponsor of the bills, will be hosted a conference in support of this legislation.

Intro 57 proposes the creation of a Bed Bug Task Force and prohibits the sale of reconditioned mattresses. Intro 872 creates guidelines for the proper disposal of infected mattresses. Intro 873 requires the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to establish a bed bug technique training program for pest control professionals and building owners. Finally, Reso 1414 calls upon the State to promulgate standards and rules concerning the sanitization of mattresses that include requirements sufficient to eradicate bedbugs in reconditioned mattresses before their sale.

New York City has lagged behind other cities, like Cincinnati, San Francisco, Boston, and Toronto in dealing with its infestation problem. Currently, DOHMH offers a bed bug fact sheet in Spanish and English that is available through 311 and the City website. In 2008, Brewer worked with the Department of Housing, Preservation, and Development to create a series of public education seminars given in neighborhoods throughout the City.

“That’s just not good enough,” says Council Member Gale A. Brewer. “It’s great that we’re not smoking as much, and great that we’re not eating trans fats, but we need to focus on bed bugs in the same aggressive manner.”