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slcrocket · 10-04-2011, 09:26 AM

I work in pest control and have for years. I echo the sentiment that there is no obvious correlation between sanitary living conditions and bed bug populations. There is higher likelihood of bedbug issues in areas where people are generally dirty and given to clutter, but I have seen immaculate residences with significant bed bug problems.

The first thing I would do is inquire as to who your board is using for pest control. Research the company. Bed bug treatment is not randomly spraying pesticides everywhere...it's a difficult thing to treat for because the bugs are so damned reclusive. An effective inspection can be invasive, but it is SO much better than treatment, which can result in you having multiple bags of belongings bagged up/treated and what looks like a tornado having gone through your room(s).

A quality bed bug treatment takes TIME. This is not like treating for roaches or ants or something where you just go in, strategically place bait, and spray surface areas. In most cases (at least with our company), inspection has to take place first and treatment (if necessary) wouldn't happen until later, because it takes a lot of time/manpower to do a treatment and they can't realistically allot that kind of time upfront without knowing the condition of the units.

You don't want these guys - trust me. Very few providers will guarantee their work, and it's with good reason - a realistic expectation that they are all gone after one treatment is not assured. But honestly, the bed bug problem has really done a lot to divide the good pest control companies from the bad. Those that just walk in and spray everything and walk out also happen to be the bottom-line cheapest - and this is one of those situations where you get what you pay for. See what options might exist for thermal treatment (if treatment is indeed necessary) - depending on the unit, the only problem with thermal treatments is keeping the temperature constant for several hours (120 degrees F or ~49 C is the goal mark). See if they have bed bug detecting dogs - they're a relatively new procedure and have been really effective, in my experience.

Research the company. If you don't like what you find, you may not be able to fix things immediately - but talk to your board and explain why a garbage pest control company is in no one's interest.

Good luck.

10-04-2011, 09:26 AM	#15
slcrocket Backup Goalie Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lakebay, WA Exp:	I work in pest control and have for years. I echo the sentiment that there is no obvious correlation between sanitary living conditions and bed bug populations. There is higher likelihood of bedbug issues in areas where people are generally dirty and given to clutter, but I have seen immaculate residences with significant bed bug problems. The first thing I would do is inquire as to who your board is using for pest control. Research the company. Bed bug treatment is not randomly spraying pesticides everywhere...it's a difficult thing to treat for because the bugs are so damned reclusive. An effective inspection can be invasive, but it is SO much better than treatment, which can result in you having multiple bags of belongings bagged up/treated and what looks like a tornado having gone through your room(s). A quality bed bug treatment takes TIME. This is not like treating for roaches or ants or something where you just go in, strategically place bait, and spray surface areas. In most cases (at least with our company), inspection has to take place first and treatment (if necessary) wouldn't happen until later, because it takes a lot of time/manpower to do a treatment and they can't realistically allot that kind of time upfront without knowing the condition of the units. You don't want these guys - trust me. Very few providers will guarantee their work, and it's with good reason - a realistic expectation that they are all gone after one treatment is not assured. But honestly, the bed bug problem has really done a lot to divide the good pest control companies from the bad. Those that just walk in and spray everything and walk out also happen to be the bottom-line cheapest - and this is one of those situations where you get what you pay for. See what options might exist for thermal treatment (if treatment is indeed necessary) - depending on the unit, the only problem with thermal treatments is keeping the temperature constant for several hours (120 degrees F or ~49 C is the goal mark). See if they have bed bug detecting dogs - they're a relatively new procedure and have been really effective, in my experience. Research the company. If you don't like what you find, you may not be able to fix things immediately - but talk to your board and explain why a garbage pest control company is in no one's interest. Good luck.