My mother knew then well as it was a major problem prior to the war years. As a child of the '50, I did not have to contend with them thanks to DDT, which is no longer in used as a pesticide and probably banned, except for state emergency situations. Old box strings and mattresses were fastidiously washed with muriatic acid or exposed to the sun. However, she always commented the following;

1. Bedbugs traveled in clothing left over an infested areas. Therefore, if you were to go to people's houses, you did not sit (as a young person) in a friend's bed or left a coat on a bed, but expected to be hung.

2. Cane furniture (old trolley car seats) was a good source of bedbug infestation. Passengers got bedbugs from these sitting areas, which were brought home and other places.

I don't think that bedbugs will invade other residents unless the resident brings it out by way of sitting in lobby furniture, through laundry or even newspapers and magazines disposed thorugh compactors.

Nonetheless, the co-op should offer exterminating services and try to clear the focus of investation to avoid bedbugs in laundry rooms or even lobby furniture if the resident with the infested furniture and bed happens to use such facilites. You may charge the owner of the apartment or decide, for the benefit of all to absorb the cost.

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