NEWS DETAILS

Pest Control Scheduling

As many of you know, the Moline Housing Authority staff includes a professional pest control technician who visits apartments on a regular schedule. During this time of COVID, we are exploring ways to minimize the spread of the virus such as by reducing our regular inspections in your apartments. Starting in 2021, MHA is rolling out a pilot program that changes routine pest inspections from every month to every other month. Of course, apartments with known pest problems will be visited more often and as necessary until the pests are eradicated.

Tenant Responsibility for Bedbugs

The vast majority of our residents have never had a bedbug problem. Some, however, have multiple infestations and claim they have no idea why (or they blame their neighbors). Historically, we treated the bedbug infestations without holding the resident accountable. That will no longer be the case. Going forward, residents with a second bedbug infestation will be given a warning along with additional education and advice on avoiding bedbugs. They will also be clearly informed that the third infestation within a 12-month period will lead to a lease termination.

Those who do not comply will need to find housing elsewhere, but we hope that will be a very rare occurrence.

Having been forewarned about the consequences, however, we do not want residents gaming the system and not reporting bedbugs. If we conclude there is a deliberate failure to report bedbugs, that will be a separate basis for eviction. We are committed to the health and safety of our residents. Good housekeeping goes hand-in-hand with the elimination of pests, including bedbugs. Your cooperation is essential if we are to stay ahead of the problem and maintain decent, safe, and sanitary housing for all residents.