FAQs

What’s the best way to kill bed bugs?

Contact one of the IBBRA professional service providers in your area.  All of the IBBRA certified providers offer the highest quality treatments.

Where are bed bugs found?

Bed bugs are found all around the globe in every country!  In the home bed bugs can be found in any room, but most commonly around the areas where people sleep. Bed bugs like to hide during the day in places such as the seams of mattresses, box springs, around the bed, and inside bedroom furniture.  In extreme cases, bed bugs can be found behind wallpaper, inside cracks and crevasse in walls, floors, and ceilings.

Who is at risk for getting bed bugs?

EVERYONE!  Bed bugs aren’t picky and can thrive in even the cleanest environments. A bed bug problem does NOT indicate an unclean or cluttered home/business.

Risk of bed bug exposure is increased in the following situations:

• Purchasing clothing, furniture, and beddings from second-hand stores
• Having guests from out-of-town OR staying at someone else’s home
• Staying in hotels/motels, college dorms, boarding schools, and camps
• Traveling

I ran into bed bugs at a hotel/motel or another public place/business. Do I have a legal case?

You should contact one of our legal advisory partners

How can I prevent a bed bug infestation?

There are several steps you can take to minimize your risk of contracting bed bugs in your daily life.

• Carefully inspect or avoid second -hand furniture, beddings, and clothing
• While staying at hotels/motels, never place your luggage on the bed. Always use the luggage racks
• During and after traveling, inspect your luggage or signs of bed bugs.
• Use mattress encasements and other early detection devices – VIEW MORE
• Clean up the clutter! While bed bugs can live anywhere, they especially like areas where they can thrive uninterrupted.  Stacks of papers piles of boxes and just “stuff” are bed bugs favorite places to hide!

Are these bed bug bites?

Bed bug bites are often identified by their red, raised and itchy appearance.  They are usually in groups of 3 welts – sometimes referred to as the “Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner pattern”.  Bites resemble the feel of mosquito bites and can be quite itchy. Bed bugs are most known to bite exposed areas of the body such as the face, neck, arms, and hands.  Keep in mind, however, that some people present no indication of bites after being bitten.  Only the presence of live bed bugs is the sure indicator of an issue

How should I choose a professional pest control service provider?

Hiring an experienced pest professional is essential to the effectiveness of your treatment.  You can rest assured that the certified pest professionals and products recommended by IBBRA will solve your pest problem as soon as possible.

If there aren’t any IBBRA certified providers in your area then you should follow the guide below to ensure that your pest professional is experienced in bed bug remediation.

• First and foremost, what basic credentials do they have, and are they fully licensed and insured? Ask to see their license and insurance. (Liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during treatment and they should have “completed operations” coverage as this covers for damages that occur or are discovered after the contractor leaves the premises.) Don’t feel bad – if they are an insured company they should have no problem showing their certificates.
• Are they members of local, state or national pest management associations?
• Being that bed bugs are a sensitive subject and can be embarrassing for some, unless specifically requested by the customer, all dedicated service vehicles must be clearly marked with the company’s name and must be consistent with state law.

These IPM components consist of the following:

• Proper Inspection and identification
• Establish threshold level for pest activity
• Employ appropriate control and/or management measures
• Evaluate effectiveness
• Properly trained in application and techniques
• Provide you an IPM information sheet of IPM standards

Be Sure to Ask

• Do they specialize in bed bug treatment?
• How many treatments have they done?
• What is their success ratio? Call backs?
• How many treatments does it take to get rid of them? (Be sure to fully understand the nature of the household pest to be exterminated, the extent of the infestation, and the work necessary to solve the problem)
• How will the problem be treated? What methodologies do they use?
• Do they have any referrals or people you can speak to about their service?
• What results do they expect?
• What do you need to do to help the success of the treatment (preparation for particular chosen treatment if any)
• How much is this going to cost you? (When dealing with bed bug treatment it can be costly – get several bids, Beware of exterminators that offer bargains that sound too good to be true)
• Do they offer a post treatment follow-up?
• Do they offer a warranty/guarantee? (If a warranty/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)

Remember, just because you had your home or business treated for bed bugs does not mean that they won’t be reintroduced again. Talk to your pest professional about their follow up procedures and additional treatments if necessary.