Discovering you have bed bugs can send you into a stressful panic. While knowing what to do when you have bed bugs is important, equally important is knowing who to hire. Hiring a professional bed bug exterminator is the only way to successfully rid your home of these pests. In fact, the government of Canada recommends hiring a pro as your best option for eliminating bed bugs. Read on to learn what to look for in a bed bug exterminator so you can feel comfortable sleeping in your own home again.
Licensed and Registered
For every bed bug infestation in Canada, there’s at least one company out there ready to exterminate. With so many companies available it can be hard to narrow down which is the best fit for you. An easy way to cut your list of options down is by only hiring a company that is licensed and registered. You may be surprised to find that not all companies are legally licensed and registered, even though they should be.
To check for proper licensing and registration, you have a couple of options. First of all, be sure to ask each and every company you are considering for this information. A reputable company will be happy to show you proof of their licenses and registration. If a company does not want to show you these items, it’s likely they do not have them and you should look elsewhere. Secondly, you can also search online through your province’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change websites. Look for the company’s legally registered name to make sure they have the proper requirements.
Be sure to ask about the pesticides/chemicals the company is planning to use and if they have licenses to use them. The technician using the pesticide should have the proper licensing for that specific product. If the company claims they use a “secret recipe” or “proprietary mixture” do not hire them. They should be able to tell you exactly what is being used in your home.
No Flat Rate
Every bed bug situation is different and will require a custom plan of action. If a company offers to deal with your issue without first looking at your home and instead offers you a flat rate, this is a red flag. Ideally, the company should first do an inspection of your home to see the scope of the work. Based on their treatment plan, a price should be determined for you.
When it comes to extermination services, you get what you pay for. Do not be tempted by low offers that promise to get it all done for one low price. It’s likely that these companies are not experienced and you will end up having to pay for additional services from a better company. Save yourself the hassle and additional costs by hiring a reputable company the first time.
Satisfaction Guarantee
When interviewing companies, ask if they offer a satisfaction or money-back guarantee. If the company offers a money-back guarantee, this a good sign that they are committed to their services working to rid your home of bed bugs. While not all companies will offer this, pay attention to the ones that do.
Follow-Up Appointment
After your initial treatment, the company should come back in a couple of weeks for a follow-up appointment. They will check to see if any pests remain, do another treatment if necessary and give you some precautions to take. The goal should be to keep coming back until the pests are 100% eliminated. When interviewing companies, be sure to ask if they will provide a follow-up appointment. Follow up appointments should not come at an additional cost and should be included in the job scope.
Insured
Just like any pro you hire to perform work in your home, your exterminator should be insured. By the company insuring their staff, this takes any financial or legal responsibility off of you. Be sure to ask the company if all of their technicians are fully insured and bonded. If not, do not hire the company.
Well-Reviewed
Last but certainly not least, you want to find a company that is well-reviewed by its past customers. Reading reviews lets you know more about the company and what their customers think of their services. Pay attention to how a company responds to negative reviews. Do they try to help the customer with their complaints or are they defensive? A company that tries to fix their mistakes shows that they truly care and won’t stop until you are satisfied with their work.
While nobody wants to deal with bed bugs, there may come a time when you have to. Before you start panicking, take a breath and head over to HomeStars to find a company that can help you. Be sure to read their reviews and look out for specific licensing. When you’re ready, get quotes from a few different companies and ask them the above questions. This way you’re sure to find a great bed bug exterminator that can help rid your home of pests for good.
