More Tools Are Better

To successfully control bed bugs, PMPs said it was necessary to use a variety of tools and treatment methods.

“I think nowadays, you almost have to. I don’t think there’s that one perfect answer” to solve bed bug problems, said Jaime Pilbeam, Superior Pest Control.

According to the 2023 PCT State of the Bed Bug Control Market survey, 92 percent of PMPs said their locations used conventional insecticides in their bed bug control regimens. This was the primary treatment for 70 percent.

Mattress encasements and active mattress liners were used by 62 percent of pest control company locations. “I always try to recommend mattress covers and box spring covers,” said Scott Elsner, Bay Pest Solutions. He only installs the covers that he sells, however.

Vacuuming (51 percent), monitoring (46 percent), and treatments using heat (31 percent) and steam (28 percent) were regularly employed.

Nineteen percent of PMPs used biological or biopesticide treatments to control the pests. For Brad Sparks, Elite Pest and Termite Control, biopesticide is his go-to treatment.

“It’s got a decent residual and it doesn’t require as much prep, especially when you’re dealing with tenants who don’t want to follow protocols and preparation checklists,” he said.

Canine detection was used by 15 percent of company locations, reported PMPs. Janssen Pest Solutions, which acquired its first bed bug dog in 2008, has two dogs to identify bed bugs and ensure sites are bed bug-free during follow-up visits. “That’s how we determine success,” said Nancy Janssen.

Elsner, who works with a third-party canine inspection company, also is a fan. “I can really speak highly of these dogs,” he said. He won’t take on bed bug work in multi-family housing unless the client is willing to use the canines.

“As long as the dog’s involved, I’ll take them because then I know that the property managers are taking it serious, and they want to get rid of the problem and not just throw a Band-Aid on it,” he said.

In follow-up interviews, PMPs said bed bug control can involve about three service visits to inspect, treat and reinspect the site. The entire process can take about six weeks. Heat treatment typically takes less time.

Using steam and vacuuming and performing a chemical follow-up treatment can speed up the process, said Pilbeam, who sends two-person teams to bed bug jobs. With two people, it’s easier to lift mattresses and furniture. “A team effort goes a heck of a long way,” he said.

According to the PCT survey, 43 percent of PMPs said bed bug treatments were performed year round at their locations; 36 percent said summer was the busiest time of year for this service.

The average callback rate for bed bug control jobs was 4.5 percent.