Frequently Asked Questions

Cockroaches are not just a nuisance; they can make people, especially children, sick. For people with asthma and allergies, cockroaches are extremely problematic as their saliva, exoskeletons, and feces are all highly allergenic.  The toxic chemicals used to spray and bomb them are harmful for children and can persist in the home.

Your home doesn’t have to be dirty to support cockroaches. Once they are in the home, they can survive with very little food and water. While cleaning up helps, several strategies used in combination are the best solution. 

Families and landlords can find information about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for cockroaches HERE, thanks to the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan.

Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on the blood of people and animals when they sleep. Bed bugs are experts at hiding and are usually transported from place to place as people travel. Bed bugs are not a sign of a dirty home or poor personal hygiene. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but can be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep. 

If you think you may have bed bugs, it's very important to do a thorough inspection, and to begin treatment as soon as possible. Learn more about bed bugs.

There are not any specific laws about mold in Michigan, but there are other laws that may help you. If you rent your home or apartment, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has this fact sheet (PDF) that will help you find the best way to solve your mold problem.

Repair and maintenance problems range from things that are merely annoying to things that pose an immediate threat to health and safety. Both the landlord and the tenant have some responsibility for maintenance. Learn who's responsible for what and what to do if your landlord fails to make necessary repairs. (Pages 49 to 53 in the Landlord Tenant Guide 2024 Edition published by the Michigan State University College of Law Housing Clinic.)