Bed Bug Prevention and Treatment in Chicago

Bed bug infestations are on the rise in Chicago. Arm yourself with preventative strategies as well as methods to detect any problems early.

Although difficult to treat, bed bugs can be eliminated. There is no single act or remedy; rather, successful treatment requires a multifaceted approach. The best results come from cooperation between tenants and landlords.

To mark the beginning of the new Bed Bug Ordinance in Chicago, we’re posting resources for local tenants. Check back soon for updates.

At the first sign of bed bugs:

1. Call your landlord if you suspect bed bugs are in your apartment. 
Hayes Properties residents should call the office immediately at 773-929-7050.

2.  Do not purge your belongings. Throwing out furniture and mattresses doesn’t get rid of bed bugs and can spread them throughout your apartment as well as transmit them to others in your community.

3.  Clear clutter and secure any discarded items in a tightly closed plastic bag before you bring them down to the trash.

4.  Keep your bedroom vacuumed, but do not leave the bag in the machine. Change it frequently and discard it in a sealed plastic bag. Once your apartment is treated, refrain from vacuuming around baseboards because it can remove the dust that the exterminator applied.

5.  Put bedding and clothes in the dryer for a full cycle to kill the bugs. Dry on the hottest setting (“Normal” for Hayes’ laundry rooms) for one full cycle. Bring items back up in a fresh, sealed laundry bag. Commercial dryers at Laundromats reach very high temperatures and are especially good for pillows, bedspreads, and bulky items.

6.  Use care when bundling laundry. When removing bed sheets, roll them down instead of pulling them off, put them in a plastic bag to transport to the laundry room, and wash in hot water right away. 

Vintage Apartment Locks

How Mortise Locks Work

 

Like the majority of vintage buildings, most of our apartments are outfitted with mortise locks. These allow for some flexibility in the function and use of your lock.

 

 

If you look on the narrow part of the door, there are two brass buttons. Push one of them in and you can lock the door simply by closing it. Push the other button, and you will need to turn the bolt with a key in order to lock the door from the outside.

Sticky locks can be loosened with some patience and a little resourcefulness. Try using graphite as a lubricant. Draw on a key with a pencil as though you are coloring it in. Work it into the lock gently to see if it turns. In an emergency, try a little WD-40 in the lock. Of course, Hayes Properties residents can always call the office for maintenance at 773-929-7050.

Hayes Properties, Inc. Chicago, IL

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All written content and illustrations are copyright Hayes Properties, Inc. or their respective authors.

Boiler Certificate from 1928: Found Objects

This plaque was posted in the basement of the building at the corner of Racine and Montana Streets, aptly named The Montine. While the boiler was replaced long ago, this notice posted October 11th, 1928 still stands decades later and speaks to the history of this Hayes Properties building.

To put things in perspective, it was posted ten years before the start of World War II. Calvin Coolidge was president during the latter half of the roaring ‘20s. Women had just gotten the vote eight years earlier in August of 1920. The notice was posted exactly one year to the month before the stock market crash of 1929.

Chicago’s population was about 3,376,438 at the time, compared to today’s estimate of 2,707,120. Housing development increased during this time of economic prosperity. The City of Big Shoulders was the second largest city in the country. Can you guess which was first?

Hayes Properties, Inc. Chicago, IL

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All written content and illustrations are copyright Hayes Properties, Inc. or their respective authors.

Check Your Smoke & CO Detectors

Fire Prevention & Carbon Monoxide Detection

Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning properly. Test your detectors monthly and change the battery at least once a year. Springing forward an hour for Daylight Savings is a good reminder. If you are a Hayes Properties tenant and your smoke or carbon monoxide detectors are not working, please contact us at 773-929-7050.

 Most Hayes Properties apartments are outfitted with a
combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector.

Eliminate Fire Hazards

•         Never leave your stove or oven unattended while cooking.

•         Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from a heat source.

•         Do not run extension cords behind rugs or curtains.

•         Do not use appliances with damaged cords. 

Know Your Exits

•         Familiarize yourself with all of the exits at the property.

In the Event of a Fire

•         Exit your apartment immediately.

•         Pull the nearest fire alarm located in the hallway.

•         In dense smoke, crawl on the floor to nearest exit.

Apartment Keys

Getting a new set of apartment keys is an exciting moment. They are the first tangible connection to a new place and a sign that it really is yours. We included a few hints to help keep them safe.

This antique key still opens a bedroom door at The Montine in Lincoln Park

1. Be sure to keep a copy of every key on you at all times. When maintenance visits, they will secure all of your locks.

2. To save yourself the expense and time of being locked out, you should plant another set somewhere with a friend.

3. Program a few contact numbers for reputable local locksmiths into your phone now. You may not have the time or resources to look them up in an emergency.

If your key breaks in a common area door, call the management office immediately. Using a key to pull the door open can cause it to snap. To prevent accidents like this, use the doorknob or handle to absorb the force.

Feel free to make copies of your Hayes Properties keys at any hardware store or lock shop. We use Dexter Lock at 3300 N. Halsted in Chicago. You can even copy your mail key. Just make sure you test all your copies first!

Hayes Properties, Inc. Chicago, IL

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Dealing With Noisy Neighbors

Three Common Mistakes to Avoid

We’ve all heard it: the thumping bass of a neighbor's midnight music marathon, or rolling chairs that make it sound like you live under a bowling alley. The next time you approach someone in your building about unwanted noise, try to avoid these common mistakes.

1. Calling the Landlord First – The best results come from a face-to-face interaction with the noisy neighbor. By asking a third party deliver the news, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage. Your neighbor might perceive this as tattling, and treat it as such. Tell your landlord only if a calm conversation with the neighbor doesn’t work.

2. Leaving Notes – As much as you may try to sound civil, your note will be construed as passive aggressive at best, and nasty at worst. See what we mean? 

3. Banging on the Ceiling (or floor, or whatever) – Tempting, it's true. Reacting with anger does nothing but escalate the situation. Remember, you are asking your neighbors to respect your wishes, and jabbing a broom handle at your ceiling is not a convincing argument.

These responses are common because most people try to avoid confrontation. In this instance, keep your goal firmly in mind. Do you want to live in peace, or do you want to avoid a single awkward conversation?  

You want the best possible outcome, of course. That means you will need to be direct, but remain calm and open to what your neighbor has to say. Be sure to knock on their door when there is NOT any noise, then politely explain your situation. You might be surprised by how well things go.

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How to Light a Pilot Light on a Gas Stove

If you can light a candle, you can do it!

Your stove has 3 tiny blue flames which stay on all the time so you can use your stove and oven just by turning up the gas. Lighting the pilot lights on your stove is simple and safe.  Follow the instructions and you’ll be cooking in no time.

This illustration shows the location of the pilots,
though the flames are actually much smaller.

1.  Make sure that the stove knobs are all set to the "off" position

2.  Pull the top of the stove up firmly. You can grip it by the edge or pull it up using the front burner openings.

3.  Notice the small metal pipes between each set of burners: one for the left, one for the right sides. The gas jet is located in the middle, where the pipes open.

4.  Place your lit match or lighter by the gas jet. It should light immediately with a small blue flame.

5.  Use your stove as usual

If the pilot lights for the stove are both on and you can still smell gas, please check to see if the third one for the oven is lit. You can see it if you open the broiler door and look all the way in the back. The best way to light it is with a lighter and—here’s the fun part— lie on your back and reach all the way to the rear of the broiler drawer. There is a small bundle of narrow tubes that are the same as the ones in the stove. Place the lighter flame near those and it will relight the oven pilot.

Tips:

* Don’t feel like doing yoga to reach the oven pilot? Keep a long-tipped fireplace lighter on hand.

* Most Hayes Properties apartments have ovens with a standing pilot, but some will have electronic ignition models. This is the clicking sound you hear when you turn your burners on. The oven will either be plugged into the wall, or have a small battery pack. Make sure the plug is all the way in or replace your 9-volt battery if needed.

* The amount of gas that comes through for a pilot light is very small. If your pilot lights are lit and you still smell gas please call your gas company.

* If you live in Chicago, call Peoples Gas Emergency Services at 1-866-556-6002 and they will come right out, 24 hours a day to test for a gas leak.

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How to Plunge a Toilet

(or, The Difference Between a Sink and Toilet Plunger)

Plungers work by sealing off the clogged area and forcing water through. The flat-bottomed plungers are ok, but don’t create the seal needed to really power through a clogged toilet. They are designed instead for use in sinks.

The proper toilet plunger has a large bulb and tapered ends as shown in green below. Place it in the toilet tightly and vigorously pump the plunger up and down while making sure to maintain the seal. (If it splashes, you’re lifting it too high.) Repeat until the clog dislodges.

A sink plunger and toilet plunger

Tips:

*  While a toilet plunger is best, a sink plunger will work in a pinch.

*  If your toilet is about to overflow, turn the metal handle at the back to shut off the water. Remember: Righty tighty!

*  When the water level is very low, it can be difficult to create a seal with the plunger. In that case, pour a few glasses of water in the bowl.

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