Bed Bug Treatment: How to Choose an Exterminator in Seattle

Bed bugs are gross.

You may think bed bugs only infest hotel rooms or other public quarters, but this isn’t true. Bed bugs are not an indicator of how clean a home is—they do not discriminate.

And Seattle ranks 39th in the country for bed bugs, which means you should be on the lookout for them in your home.

If you think you may have an infestation on your hands, never fear. There are pest control professionals who can help you.

You just need to know how to choose the right exterminator for bed bug treatment. Keep reading for an overview of what you should consider before signing a contract.

Do You Need to Hire a Professional for Bed Bug Treatment?

While it’s possible to eliminate bed bugs from your home by yourself, it is usually extremely difficult and not always the best option.

First, there is a lot of misinformation on the internet about how to get rid of bed bugs. You could waste a lot of time and money on home remedies that won’t get the job done. Exterminators do this every day and have ample knowledge and experience.

If you have a bad infestation, it will be nearly impossible—and time consuming—for you to exterminate all of the bugs by yourself. You might think they’re gone only to come back within a few days. Then the infestation begins all over again.

Not only is the process of tackling recurring bed bug infestations by yourself time consuming, it’s expensive and can take a toll on your mental health.

Professional exterminators have special tools and techniques that are proven to be effective in eliminating pests such as bed bugs. Forget buying expensive chemicals and equipment that you don’t know how to use.

Prep your home for treatment and let the professionals do their jobs.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Exterminator

Before you hire a professional exterminator, it’s important to do your research. Don’t let anyone into your home until you know they do good work and can be trusted.

Here are some questions to ask before you sign a contract for extermination services.

Does the Company Appear Legitimate?

First, check out the company’s website. Is it professional and does it provide adequate information? Such as: are they bonded and insured?

This is important because you want to protect your property against damage and liability.

You also want to figure out if the company and its employees are knowledgeable, trustworthy, and friendly.

Are Your Technicians Certified?

Most states require that exterminators attend annual training to maintain their certification. It’s perfectly acceptable to ask for identification and their license to make sure they are certified.

Also, make sure their certification has not expired before they enter your home.

Is Your Technician Professional?

Just because they deal with bugs all day doesn’t mean exterminators get a pass on looking presentable before they enter customers’ homes. When they pull up in a company vehicle, it should exude professionalism.

The technician should be clean and professional.

Is the Company Knowledgeable Enough?

Exterminators use chemicals that can be harmful to humans and pets if used in incorrect quantities or mixed with other chemicals. For this reason, it’s important that your technician knows their stuff.

If you set up a consultation, prepare questions for them to answer. Of course, it’s acceptable for them to not always know the answer. But they should always be willing to get back to you with information.

Heat treatment is the safest and most eco-friendly way to rid your home or office of bed bugs. When done by someone knowledgeable and experienced, the likelihood of re-infestation comes close to zero.

Which Chemicals Do They Use?

Any reputable exterminator will disclose the chemicals or procedures they expect to use for elimination. They will tell you about any possible adverse effects and offer any alternatives, if they exist.

All chemicals they bring into your home should be in clean, clearly-labeled containers. If you’re concerned, ask for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and specimen label.

Why Don’t They Have Testimonials?

Would you buy a tv without reading reviews? No, probably not. You want to be sure you’re getting the right product for the price. However, when it comes to bed bug treatment, reviews can be hard to find. Most former clients of exterminators don’t leave reviews due to the fact that they hate admitting they had bed bugs. Just because an extermination company doesn’t have a lot of reviews, doesn’t mean they are necessarily a bad option.

Asking a few questions to the bed bug company can help you wean out any bad options and select a good one. Ask the company how many bedbug services they do in a year is a great question to ask. You could also ask how often they have to re-treat the properties they service. If they aren’t very busy throughout the year or they need to do re-treatments often, they probably aren’t the best fit.

If you do happen to find reviews on a bed bug company and they are good. That is a great sign that the exterminators know what they are doing and will take great care of you.

Have They Described the Treatment Plan?

Before service has begun, your technician should have an initial conversation with you to discuss what the issue is. They will ask questions about what you’ve seen or heard to make you believe you have bed bugs.

Then, they should schedule a home visit to confirm your pest infestation. From here, the technician will discuss options with you to devise a treatment plan.

Will They Quote a Cost for Their Services?

After a treatment plan is in place, the technician should give you a total cost of the services they will perform.

Keep in mind, you get what you pay for. Always opt for quality. A lower price isn’t always a better deal.

If you go with a company you trust less because their prices are lower, they may not fix your problem. Then you’ll spend more money hiring another exterminator.

What’s in the Contract?

Discuss your options with the company’s technician or sales representative.

They should provide a contract, read it carefully—including the fine print. If you have concerns, always ask questions before you sign. It’s not too late to back out if you haven’t signed the paperwork yet.

Do They Provide Documentation Following the Service?

The paperwork doesn’t end after the work begins. Once the elimination is complete, the company should provide you with a report at your request. This report will detail the services performed in your home.

Don’t Mess with Bed Bugs

Yes, this is a long list of questions, but ask them and you’re guaranteed to hire an effective pest control professional.

Don’t make the mistake of handling bed bug treatment by yourself. Learn a little about the process before hiring an exterminator. Hire a provider that checks these boxes and you’re on your way to a bug-free night’s sleep!

If you live in Seattle and have questions about bed bugs, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free estimate.

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