Chicago High-Rise Management Company Taking Proactive Approach To Combat Bed Bugs

CHICAGO (CBS) -- We often hear about high-rise bed bug infestations in the news, but one management company is taking proactive steps, to make sure their buildings are not in the headlines. CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot has this Original Report.

They cause itching, scratching and sleepless nights. Nataliya Rozhok she doesn't want to see bed bugs in her apartment.

"I've never had them so I wouldn't know what to look for but I'm sure if I had them, I would know," she said.

Rozhok is a renter at The Tides at Lakeshore East. Her building is managed by Magellan Property Management. Tenants on the 33rd and 34th floors got abed bug inspection notice.

"Better safe than sorry, so it's good that they're checking our floors," Rozhok said.

Mattresses, box springs and bed frames are checked. So is artwork, to make sure the pesky bugs, aren't hiding there.

"It's an annual program that goes on throughout the years, whereby we go into several chunks of floors at one time, all throughout the year, so that we can make sure that we get into every unit," said Rene Wersching, the Executive Vice President of Magellan Property Management. "We take proactive, preventative maintenance very seriously. It helps us create a wonderful lifestyle, carefree lifestyle for our resident."

John Bartlett, the executive director of one of Chicago's tenant rights organizations, says routine inspections are a good thing, adding: "The Metropolitan Tenants Organization is supportive of landlords taking active steps to prevent bed bugs. It's a major reason tenants call our hotline."

Bartlett says anyone who has any problems can call the The Metropolitan Tenants Organization hotline at 773-293-4988.

Magellan Property Management started this program about two years ago and it falls in line with the Chicago ordinance requiring a partnership between tenants and landlords, to combat the bed bug problem.