I discovered that my apartment was infested with bedbugs on the 2nd of June when I woke up with several red rashes on my arm. More than three weeks later, the bedbugs are still there. My landlord has dragged his feet this entire time, ignoring my voicemails. Instead of hiring a professional exterminator, he has tried to save money by steaming the room himself and buying all sorts of ineffective sprays for me to use. Obviously, none of this has worked. He has agreed to hire a professional several times but somehow he never does. In the meantime, I have been sleeping on my friend’s couch. I am sick to death of this ordeal. Every day I get more frustrated.
I know I need to put pressure on my landlord to get him to do something, but I have no idea how. Is there an organization I can contact? The police? I would appreciate any advice. I live in Chicago, if that matters. Also, if you have stories about your bedbug experience, please commiserate with me.