Your first steps after finding bed bugs
Report the infestation to your landlord in writing right away, take photos of the bugs and bites, and keep copies — then ask for professional treatment and avoid moving infested items to other rooms or units.
A written report records when the landlord was notified, which matters if the problem drags on. Photograph live bugs, blood spots on the sheets, and bites, and note when they started. Do not drag infested furniture into shared hallways or shift it to another room, because that spreads the bugs. Avoid setting off store-bought foggers, which can scatter bed bugs and make the infestation worse.
A real bed bug infestation needs professional treatment that the landlord arranges and pays for. If your landlord ignores a written report about bed bugs, a free review can help you decide what to do next.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.