The neighborhoods surrounding Arizona State University's main campus in Tempe are among the highest-risk areas in all of Arizona for bed bug infestations. The combination of extreme housing density, annual student move cycles, a strong secondhand furniture culture, and high tenant turnover creates conditions that are nearly ideal for bed bug spread and persistence.

Pest Control Bros has extensive experience treating ASU-area housing — from single-family student rentals to large apartment complexes — with same-day inspection availability and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Why the ASU Area Has a Serious Bed Bug Problem

Annual Move-In and Move-Out Cycles

Every August, thousands of ASU students move into off-campus housing simultaneously. Every May, thousands move out. This annual cycle creates enormous bed bug spread risk:

• Students moving from infested apartments spread bugs to new locations
• Furniture left on curbs or sold quickly during move-out is a primary spread vector
• Moving trucks used by multiple students can harbor bugs
• New tenants moving into apartments vacated by infested students inherit the infestation

Secondhand Furniture Culture

ASU students are among the most active secondhand furniture buyers and sellers in Arizona. Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and curbside furniture are staples of student housing culture — and mattresses, sofas, and upholstered chairs are the highest-risk items for bed bug transmission.

Never accept a free mattress or upholstered furniture left on the curb near ASU. This is one of the most common ways students introduce bed bugs to their apartments.

High Housing Density

The ASU area features some of the densest housing in Arizona — apartment complexes with hundreds of units, shared houses with multiple occupants, and dormitory-style living. This density creates multiple pathways for bed bug spread:

• Shared walls between units
• Shared laundry facilities
• Common areas with upholstered furniture
• Frequent social interaction between residents

Travel During Breaks

ASU students travel frequently — home for holidays, spring break trips, and study abroad programs. Each travel event is an opportunity for bed bug exposure at hotels, hostels, and the homes of friends and family.

ASU-Area Tenant Rights

ASU-area renters have rights under Arizona law:

ARS § 33-1324 requires landlords to maintain rental properties in a habitable condition, which includes pest control.

If your landlord won't act:

1. Document the infestation thoroughly with photographs
2. Notify your landlord in writing (email creates a paper trail)
3. Keep records of all communications
4. Know your remedies — Arizona law provides options for tenants whose landlords fail to maintain habitable conditions

We provide written inspection reports that document the presence, extent, and likely source of infestations — documentation that can be valuable in landlord-tenant disputes.

Our ASU-Area Treatment Approach

Multi-Unit Coordination

For ASU-area apartment buildings, we strongly recommend coordinating treatment of adjacent units. Treating one unit in isolation in a dense apartment building is rarely effective — bugs from neighboring units will re-infest within weeks.

We work directly with ASU-area property managers to coordinate building-wide treatment programs. If you're a property manager dealing with a building-wide infestation, call us for a consultation.

Thorough Inspection

We inspect your unit thoroughly — all sleeping areas, upholstered furniture, baseboards, electrical outlets, and common harborage sites. We document our findings in writing.

EPA-Registered Chemical Treatment

We apply professional-grade, EPA-registered insecticides to all identified harborage areas.

Follow-Up Visit

Our mandatory follow-up visit 10–14 days after initial treatment is included in our standard service.

Satisfaction Guarantee

We return at no charge if any bed bug activity persists after our two-visit protocol.

Schedule Your ASU-Area Inspection

Call (520) 424-5244 for same-day inspection availability in the ASU area. We're licensed (AZ #10641), insured, and experienced with ASU-area housing challenges.