Insecticide treatment was that primary Bed bug control methodology for 71 percent of PMPs, followed by heat (15 percent), found the PCT 2020 survey of Bed Bug Control Market.
In follow-up interviews, most PMPs reported using a combination of treatments to control the pests. “Every strategy has a flaw. There is no one who is better than the others. That depends on the location and the degree of infestation, ”said Tom Sieminski from the Pest Control team.
Mattress covers / active mattress covers were offered by 62 percent of PMPs and vacuuming by 48 percent. Rich Schroll, owner of Garfield Pest Control in Merrimack, NH, first used a vacuum for a particularly heavy infestation last year. It reduced the number of bed bugs that could escape conventional treatment. “Vacuum cleaners are definitely something that we will be using on a regular basis,” he said.
The treatment for Rodney O’Quinn of Keller’s Pest Control is heat, but he uses tent fumigation, offered by 12 percent of PMPs, for homes with high clutter. O’Quinn has canines that are offered by 16 percent of PMPs to help identify bed bug hotspots and clear homes after treatment. “That really helps a customer relax,” he said.
All Florida Pest Control in Hollywood, Florida, combines steam and conventional treatments, said Regional Manager Pedro Alvarez. More than a quarter (26 percent) of PMPs offer steam treatment, according to the PCT study.
GP Home Defense’s Brian Metzger primarily uses silica desiccant dust and a bio-pesticide. “We do a very careful, complete treatment of cracks and crevices from top to bottom. We’ve had phenomenal success, ”he said.
PMPs said products with long-lasting residue made it possible to offer proactive or preventive bed bug services. These provide recurring revenue while providing customers with security and a better way to budget for bed bug control. Bed bug monitoring, an element of these programs, is offered by 48 percent of pest control professionals.
Proactive service appeals to frequent travelers and establishments such as shelters and low-income homes where re-infestation is common but not all customers see the value.
Fewer people freak out
Compared to last year’s PCT survey, 13 percent fewer PMPs said the public was more concerned about bed bugs compared to 10 years ago.
“In the beginning there was more fear than now,” said Tom Sieminski of Team Pest Control, who spent a lot of time holding hands and playing psychologist to affected clients. Today, “they weren’t so freaky,” and most people know someone who had bed bugs, he said.
PMPs said consumers are also better informed about the pests and know when they have a problem. “People are so much more aware of bed bugs that they let them see them much sooner, and we find they aren’t all over the house when we go,” said Alan Brown, ABC Home & Commercial Services.
Still, customers remain the toughest part of bed bug control. “We can get rid of bed bugs, but we can’t get rid of bad habits,” said Tracy Rice of Rice Pest Control. This includes not following the instructions to exit reintroductions, such as: B. continue to invite the same people with bed bug problems into their homes. This is particularly complex in multi-family houses.
“You have a typhoid Mary situation. You have one person walking around and just spreading it. We have seen this several times over the past few years, ”he said.
“We tried to do that but people find it too expensive,” said Alvarez. Others believe the market for proactive service will grow, especially among small hospitality customers. “When it comes to little outfits, reputation is everything,” said Schroll.
The fee for a typical residential bed bug treatment in 2020 was $ 892. Forty-three percent of PMPs said the price of bed bug control in their markets had increased over the past three years, while 45 percent said it had stayed the same.
ABC Home & Commercial Services developed an extensive menu of treatment options with different approaches and prices. “With this service offering, we have the flexibility to really find the best treatment,” said Alan Brown, addressing clients’ budget concerns.
