5 Things a Bed Bug Exterminator May Not Tell You

When an infestation has become uncontrollable, the first solution we think of is calling a bed bug exterminator; you are at your most vulnerable, stressed, and ready to do whatever it takes to eliminate them.

Unfortunately, some exterminators take advantage of your vulnerability and make big promises hoping you don’t read the contract.

On the flip side, there are great pest control companies with excellent track records but customers who don’t follow instructions and blame the exterminator.

You’ll likely find yourself signing a contract with only one guarantee, and that is guaranteeing that nothing is guaranteed, even your health!

So I’ve listed the five items your exterminator needs to discuss. They’ll explain each of these in detail if they are an honest, forthright company. If the company skips any of these items, consider hiring a different pest control company.

What you need to know and watch for when hiring an exterminator.

1. You’ll do the hard part, not the bedbug exterminator!

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that hiring a pest control company will make this easy for you. First, you will be expected to do all the pre-treatment prep work before the exterminator starts and before follow-up treatments.

Then, you’ll have to sign an agreement stating that you did everything on this pre-treatment list, and it’s not a small list! They do this because some customers skip steps, and every one is essential; if you still have bed bugs after treatment and you missed a step, they’ll blame you and you’ll pay for another service call.

Doing the prep work can be the most challenging part, so if you tried doing it yourself and didn’t prep properly, this is why you likely failed. On the other hand, many of our visitors have successfully done it themselves and saved thousands of dollars.

2. The Bed Bug Exterminator isn’t certified.

Depending on your state, the exterminator must be a certified pesticide applicator or a registered technician.

Before hiring a company, ensure the exterminator entering your home is certified; ask for a copy of their certification for your records. Also, make sure the accreditation covers or is specifically for bed bugs.

3. Pest Control Company guarantees nothing.

Sign that contract, and you likely agree not to hold the pest control company responsible for injury, disease, or illness caused, or allegedly caused, by treatment. Ask the company you hire for a Material Safety Data Sheet so you know what is at risk, but don’t be surprised if they don’t show up after you make that request. If they’re good, they’ll be happy to discuss this.

After you read that contract and understand the chemicals used, you might want to consider getting rid of bed bugs yourself, using natural products.

4. Even Bed Bug Exterminators miss infestations.

Bed bugs can go many months without feeding and hide in places you wouldn’t think of, such as electrical outlets, televisions, and clocks. Even though pros know where to treat, it doesn’t mean they’ll get all of them. If you find bed bugs after treatment, make sure the exterminator will return at no cost to you.

5. You can do it yourself.

If you are patient enough and prepare properly, you’ll eliminate them. Unfortunately, most bed bug exterminators would rather you not know that and instead use fear and panic to get you to sign the dotted line. The extermination business is big money and very competitive. So, yes, you need to act soon, but make sure you’re doing it with a clear understanding of what this involves.

We have a lot of testimonials from homeowners successfully doing it themselves. Still, you MUST have patience and proper preparation to succeed – skip those, and you’ll fail.

Knowing the five things your exterminator might not tell you is key to finding the right company. Understand that you’ll be doing all the hard work; if you have patience, you may want learn how to get rid of bed bugs before you call an exterminator.