Selecting a Pest Company

Some companies do not, charge for inspection, but some do, and then apply the fee toward the work, if you contract with them for service. It is helpful If you have a specimen at the time of the interview, however you want to see the PCO inspect and find bed bugs on their own.

When your pest company comes to inspect, ask, How will you treat the sofa? What pesticides will you use? Where will you treat? How long is the residual of that pesticide? You are looking for very specific answers. If they don't provide specific information, reconsider using their services.

You are looking for a pest control company that takes the time to explain where they will treat, what they will use, how often they will repeat bed bug treatment..

Bed Bug treatment can be complex. Write down everything the inspector tells you. Have them show you where they will treat and what they will use to treat that specific area.

Chemical treatment may include a variety of pesticides for specific areas around your home. That's called Integrated Pest Management, or IPM.

Be cautious about hiring a company that can't find bed bugs in your house. If they can't find them during an inspection it may mean you don't have bed bugs, or that the company may not have the bed bug experience you need to get rid of them.

Ask questions about what pesticides they use, and if they are labeled for bed bugs. Ask about the residual time for each chemical. Take notes, and take your time.

With chemical treatment you typically don't want to wash your floors if the pest company has used a long term residual around the baseboards, or a growth regulator on the floors. This points to the importance of knowing what chemicals are going to be used and where.

"Some of the resources listed changed my bed bug experience from intolerable to "I can deal with this."

Thinking about isolating your bed?
Watch this video about Climb Up Intercepters.

 

Bed bug sniffing dogs

A well trained dog and handler will be able to find bed bugs if they are in your home. Dogs can be 90% or more accurate in sniffing out bed bugs. Sprague Pest Control in Portland and Seattle now offer inspections to homes and businesses with their bed bug sniffing dog April.

The dog will alert to the area the bed bugs are in. If you have a dog inspection and the dog alerts positive, insist the inspector find physical evidence then. You are looking for a detailed company that doesn't rush through the process.