Heat works by raising the temperature in the building to levels at which bed bugs cannot survive. It is 100% effective and chemical free. Both chemical and heat will be effective. I prefer heat (called thermal remediation) (see resource for more information). This can be expensive which is why many building managers resist this approach.
If your landlord does not take action, try contacting your local health department to see if they can help. Also either the City or State Attorney General's office can help enforce any laws in your area that regulate landlords and bed bugs. Note that many states and cities do not have laws that help.
In the mean time, the resources listed below have some suggestions that could help protect your family. This includes:
– Sealing base boards with caulk
– Placing fossil dust around the perimeter of the room
– Moving beds 6 inches from walls/furniture
– Wear tight fitting clothes to bed
– Treat the mattress with heat using a hand steamer or even a hair dryer (hold on each section of mattress for 30 seconds to generate heat needed to kill insects)
– Treat the perimeter of the apartment with a residual bed bug spray (see resource for suggestions), which will kill bed bugs for several weeks.