TRC has put out three press releases in the last three days, I sent out one and from the four press releases I have gotten two response from the local media. Forget the information about moving to/from E Gorham and State St. Forget the information about where to responsibly recycle your gently used goods. Forget moving tips to help save your security deposit.
What gets their attention? The bugs. It’s the same thing, every year.
Here’s the press release that got one local tv station to call:
IS IT HERE ALREADY?! Yes, Hippie Christmas, dumpster diving, whatever you want to call it, it’s well under way as Madison enters the magical weeks during which thousands of renters exchange apartments and furnishings.
More than ever before, the Tenant Resource Center has a very important reminder for people looking to snag some cheap furnishings while on the move:
• inspect all items closely for signs of pests
• no matter what they look like, leave upholstered items on the curb!
No matter how new and appealing a piece of furniture might look just sitting there waiting for a new home, remember that cockroaches and those dreaded and persistent BED BUGS love to stow away in the dark, tight spaces of upholstered furniture and cardboard boxes.
If you are moving and disposing of any items such as mattresses or pillows that you believe might be infested, consider spray painting the item with the words “BED BUGS” to deter others from picking up the item, and spreading the infestation further.
Online bed bug resources:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/bedbugs/
http://www.entomology.cornell.edu/Extension/DiagnosticLab/IDLFS/BedBugs/BedBugs.html
Meanwhile, I have landlords coming into the TRC office asking me why we don’t get our word out more because we are such a valuable service. And I have neighbors asking me why I don’t do more to tell “students” (i.e. downtown movers who are not all students) how to properly dispose of their “junk”.
When the landlord asked me, I laughed, along with others in the office, and told him we’ve sent out press releases but not much of a response. He chimed in, without prompting, saying “yes, our newspapers don’t cover the news any more.”
Any press we get today isn’t very helpful as the people moving, who need the information the most, aren’t going to be sitting around watching tv or picking up a newspaper, unless it is to wrap breakables in. The information would have been helpful over the last few days.
Hopefully, the on-line stuff is making a difference. Facebook, craigslist, on-line forums, blogging, listserves, etc. At least I know with these resources, 1000’s of people have READ the information, and many more will have received it. Meanwhile, if people have questions, stop on by Tenant Resource Center or give us a call. We’ll be there today and tomorrow 9 – 6 and we’ll be at Triangle Ethnic Fest and Africa Fest this weekend.
If you know people moving, help us spread the word! These days, on-line and word of mouth are our best ways to get the word out! (We know, because we ask our customers!)
