Bedbugs – Finding Assistance

Statewide and Regional Resources

Area Agency on Aging
Senior programs that provide in-home services are a possible source of assistance. Call 1-866-243-5678, to be connected to your Area Agency on Aging.

Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force
The mission of the Task Force is to educate Central Ohio residents about bed bugs, bed bug prevention and the best methods of getting rid of the bugs. The Task Force web site offers extensive information. It also hosts meetings and an annual conference.

Cuyahoga County Bed Bug Task Force
The Task Force was formed to assist to increase the public’s awareness of the growing local bed bug concern. The group meets regularly at the offices of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

Disability Rights Ohio
Disability Rights Ohio provides legal advocacy and rights protection to a wide range of people with disabilities. This includes assisting individuals with problems such as abuse, neglect, discrimination, access to assistive technology devices, special education, housing, employment, voting, community integration, and rights protection issues within the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

Ohio Department of Health, Zoonotic Disease Program 614-752-1029
Call the Ohio Department of Health with questions about bed bug infestations.

Ohio Legal Services 1.866.LAW.OHIO (1.866.529.6446)

Assistance by City and County

Canton

Canton City Health Department 330-489-3327
Provides information and guidance. Encourages residents to call before using pesticides.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati Health Department
Bed Bugs Instruction and Education 513-352-2922.
The city’s Code Enforcement office does not conduct inspections for bed bug complaints.

Cincinnati Health Department, Healthy Homes assessments 513-352-2908
The Cincinnati Health Department conducts Healthy Homes Assessments. You may find their advice helpful in addressing an infestation as well as other health and safety items.

Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) 513-721-4663
HOME may be helpful if you are disabled and need reasonable accommodation in preparing for bed bug treatment of your unit.

Clark

The health district provides education, identification of pests and inspections. At this time the Clark County Combined Health District does not issue orders to control bed bugs. 937-390-5600

Clermont County

Clermont County Public Health 513-732-7499
Call or submit a complaint online about bed bug infestations. According to the Department’s website, “…If bed bugs or other vermin are found in a rental unit the landlord or manager is responsible for hiring an exterminator since an exterminator cannot treat without the owner’;s permission…”

Cleveland

Cleveland Department of Aging 216-664-2833. City of Cleveland Bed Bug Assistance Program.

Columbus

City of Columbus Code Enforcement
To report an infestation, call 311. For information about bed bugs, call 614-645-0153. The City of Columbus will inspect single-family unit and multi-unit apartment buildings. In Columbus, treatment for bed bug infestations in single-family homes, duplexes and 3-unit properties are the responsibility of the homeowner or tenant(s). Owners of multi-unit rental properties are responsible for bed bug infestations. Tenants in multi-family buildings of four units and over can call 311 to make a complaint about a bed bug infestation. The complaint will be assigned to a code enforcement officer who will inspect for bed bugs at the address.

If bed bugs are found in at least one unit in the property, the City will order the owner to treat the infestation. If the owner is willing to treat but tenants will not cooperate by preparing their unit for treatment, the City will not proceed with enforcement of the order. If the owner fails to treat and tenant cooperation is not an issue, the case will be referred to Environmental Court. There is no City ordinance that bars owners from charging tenants for the cost of treatment. Check your lease to find out if there is a clause or addendum about bed bug infestations.

Columbus Public Health has a great deal of information on their website, including materials in other languages including Spanish and Somali.

Consultation/referrals by public health veterinary staff for residents or organizations affected by bedbugs
Collaboration with the City of Columbus Department of Development
Member of the Central Ohio Bedbug Taskforce
Web information

Cuyahoga County

Cuyahoga County Public Health. Bed Bug information. Program contacts will answer questions. 216-201-2000 Ext. 1264.

Franklin County

Franklin County Public Health Bed Bug Information. If you are a tenant who is dealing with bed bugs, and you live in Columbus or anywhere else in Franklin County, Columbus Code Enforcement or Franklin County Public Health may be able to help you if:
(1) You live in a rental property;
(2) You have notified your landlord about the bed bugs and they have refused to treat your rental property;
(3) Your rental property has been treated, but the bed bugs have not been eradicated.
If these conditions exist in your rental property, you can file a complaint by calling 311, if you live in Columbus, and (614) 525-3160 if you live elsewhere in Franklin County. For properties located in the City of Worthington, please contact (614) 436-3100.

Franklin County Senior Options (FCSO) helps residents of Franklin County, Ohio, age 60 and older maintain their independence. While bed bug assistance is not a listed service, the program may be a source of assistance for existing clients.

Fairfield County

The Lancaster-Fairfield Community Action Agency and. United Way Fairfield County offer a Pest Remediation Program for bed bug management. Eligibility is income based. It is a mobile unit that will visit eligible customers’s homes to eliminate a bed bug infestation. Lethal heat temperatures of over 135 degrees Fahrenheit will be used to eliminate the bed bugs. Preparing a heating plan with your consultant to consider the layout of the area and its contents will allow for proper placement of equipment and ensure lethal temperatures are reached in all areas. Time away from the home will be mandatory for humans and pets. The time away will depend on the treatment plan. Plan for at least 8 hours. Customers will be required to assist with preparing the heating plan and completing pre- and post-plan activities. Eligibility is income-based. Call 740-653-4146. Lancaster-Fairfield CAA Pest Remediation Program Brochure.

Hamilton County

Hamilton County Health Department, Housing and Nuisance Program 513-946-7800
If you rent a home or apartment within Hamilton County (excluding the cities of Cincinnati, Norwood, Sharonville, or Springdale) and you think you have bed bugs, view the Hamilton County Public Health Fact Sheets page for bed bug information. Sanitarians will work with you and your landlord to eliminate the problem.

Lakewood

An ordinance was passed by Lakewood city council in November of 2017 to clarify tenant and owner responsibility. Owners are responsible for eradicating bed bugs and the best option is to hire a qualified, state-licensed exterminator. Tenants are the first line of defense. They must notify the owner promptly, and then help exterminators prepare the unit for successful extermination. Call 216-521-0655.

Tuscarawas

Tuscarawas County Health Department responds to complaints when an apartment complex has an infestation of more than one tenant in the complex or if there is an infestation in a common area of the complex. If a single unit in an apartment is infested the tenant is responsible for remediation. If you have questions or concerns regarding Bed Bugs contact TCHD at 330-343-5550.

Union

Union County Health Department 937-642-2053. Can provide advice but no remediation.