Bed Bugs. Instantly, when this topic is brought up in conversation, I am asked…What are bed bugs? Where to they live? What do they eat? No, do they really feed on blood? How do you get them? How do you get rid of them?
There are many myths, do/don'ts regarding bed bug removal available online. The most important thing to remember is, listen to a professional before trying “solutions.” We continue to preach, using lighters, lighter fluid and similar means in attempting to solve a bed bug infestation is a very bad idea. A resident in Michigan started a fire started in their apartment using a cigarette lighter to chase bed bugs. If you suspect or think you have bed bugs or a pest infestation, check out our tips below for finding a professional.
Tips for Finding a Professional to Remove Bed Bugs:
- Qualified and licensed. Always deal with a licensed pest control professional to solve your pest problem.
- Membership. Evaluate a company by their membership of national, state or local pest management associations.
- Insurance. Find out if the pest control company has liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during treatment.
- Price. If a sizable amount of money is involved, get bids from several pest management companies.
- Buy value, not price. Beware of exterminators that offer bargains that sound too good to be true.
- Guarantee. If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing control, prevention and management are necessary.
- The plan of action to handle infestations. Do not hire a bed bug company unless they can provide you with some type of bed bug protocol beforehand and/or after the inspection.
- Does the company endorse or require the use of encasements? The most effective bed bug eradication plans require the use of encasements on all mattresses and box springs. For more than one reason, we believe this to greatly aid in managing and treating a bed bug infestation.
- Tools. The company should employ several control methods. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest management that involves using both chemical and non-chemical measures to manage pest infestations. The use of vacuum and steam has proven to be a very effective and useful tool in bed bug management program. This is usually part of an IPM protocol, and is an effective alternative to pesticides.
- Educational Materials. A knowledgeable pest control company will provide you with educational materials educating you on the behavior and biology of bed bugs, and what you can do to aid in the eradication process. They should also provide you with directions, written or spoken, or what to do during treatments.
We at Thomas Pest Services are proud to be members of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and New York State Pest Management Association. NPMA an organization including many pest management companies, whose many goals is to protect the health, home and/or property from pest. We are a licensed and trained in bed bug control and would like the opportunity to protect your health, home and property in the near future. Servicing Albany, Troy, Latham, Clifton Park, Glens Falls, Lake George and surrounding areas. For questions, contact us by phone 1-877-518-2847, info@518gotpests.com, twitter or facebook.
Source: National Pest Management Association & BedBugCentral