Hire the best bed bug exterminators in Knox City Centre
Extermination of bed bugs
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Premium Pest Control
Bug bed exterminator
3175 Dandenong North9.7 km from Knox City Centre
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Pest Control Ringwood
Bug bed exterminator
3135 Ringwood East5.1 km from Knox City Centre
In order to fight an enemy effectively, one must first know it well...this advice comes straight from Sun Tzu's The Art of War, and it is worth a thousand armies. Bed bugs are species of hemipteran insects of the family Cimicidae, and they are present in various regions of the planet. Exclusively hematophagous, adult males and females bite and then suck the blood of their host, but can survive for up to 2 years without eating, in good conditions. Bed bugs cause intense itching and dermatitis, and their size varies between five and eight millimeters. At the beginning of the 21st century, some species of bed bugs seem to be proliferating once again in France, including in hotels, hospitals, or retirement homes. They are exclusively nocturnal insects, but when the population becomes truly chaotic or almost so, they can move around during the day. Between 2016 and 2020, over 4.7 million French people were infested with bed bugs, which represents no less than 7% of the population. Bed bugs have been living off of humans since ancient times (they have been found in Egyptian tombs sealed 3,550 years ago), but we now know that the two species that most often attack humans appeared long before our own species. Many literary accounts attest to the fact that bed bugs have always been a fate that people had to live with; inns, hotels, and charitable accommodations were particularly prone to infestations. There were numerous methods to limit them, but most often without much success. Note, for the record, that the generalization of central heating at the end of the 19th century only aggravated the phenomenon. Bed bugs wreaked havoc in the trenches and in many homes until World War II, when DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) made it possible, at least temporarily and in wealthy countries, to almost eliminate them (in the 1950s). Since the end of the 20th century, their populations have been growing again, especially in urban environments, due to the increase in commercial exchanges and travelers with third-world countries where bed bugs have never been eradicated. It should also be noted that a genomic study in 2019 concluded that every 500,000 years or so, a new species of bed bugs adapts to humans without making them a specific prey, that is, by remaining capable of returning to its original host; for information, know that some species are generalists while others specialize. In 2020, the French government implemented a national plan, and studies are still not quantified to have a reliable report and figures illustrating the success or failure of the action. Before attempting to eradicate them, it is imperative to detect their nests, which are often located a few meters from a place where humans spend a lot of time, such as the bedroom, of course, which is the first room to monitor. Here are some favorite spots for bed bugs: - the bed - the cord on the edge(s) of the mattress(es) - furniture near the bed – the nightstand, dresser or linen closet, curtains, the gap in wooden baseboards or flooring, the back of picture frames, curtain rods... - ventilation ducts Signs of bed bug presence are often visible in bedrooms: - tiny bloodstains on sheets - excrement, liquid at the time of emission, later forming black spots on sheets or pillowcases. Mattresses, slats, or crevices in the box spring, as well as the interior wood of the bed, baseboards in the corner of walls should also be checked. Bed bugs don't like daylight and tend to avoid it, so they tend to hide in dark, sometimes narrow and, above all, hard-to-reach places. - empty shells on the floor, as they molt several times over the course of their lives Regarding the fight against and eradication of this scourge in the home, first and foremost, before any treatment, it is essential to stop feeding them our blood by using one of their weaknesses (at least for the Cimex lectularius species), namely that bed bugs cannot climb smooth, vertical surfaces or surfaces without irregularities such as soft plastic, hard plastic, glass, smooth ceramics. A simple and inexpensive solution is to wrap the bed and box spring in a thick transparent plastic tarpaulin such as Polyethylene (used on construction sites to protect furniture from the dust generated by work, as well as by painters during painting work, preferably at a thickness of 50 microns minimum, but this is not necessarily necessary) and securely close it on the reverse side with packing tape. For the bed legs, simply slip them into plastic bags that you tape to the top. But bed bugs can bite us outside the bed at any time of the day or night. To stop this as well, it is advisable to wear hard plastic or silicone overshoes (watch out for condensation in the plastic) to move around the infested room. Secondly, the infested room must be treated by thoroughly vacuuming all the corners of the room, not forgetting the skirting boards and small crevices, then putting the vacuum bag in a garbage bag, closing it tightly, pouring a little rubbing alcohol in the bottom of the bag or a little boiling water to kill all the bed bugs vacuumed up to avoid contamination when throwing the bag in the communal garbage, steam-cleaning the entire room at 110°C, washing bed linen as well as clothing at a minimum of 60°C. However, eradicating bed bugs is difficult, even with modern techniques, and it is therefore undoubtedly often necessary to call in a professional, rather than attempting to achieve eradication oneself...
What training is required to start a bed bug extermination business?
Generally, a pest control agent is a trained personnel for insecticide and rodent control, and it is typically this professional profile that also deals with the extermination of bed bugs. They can also be called a pest exterminator. In order to be certified, they must hold a CAP/BEP in hygiene and environment. The training usually lasts for 4 to 6 months, depending on the learner's level of assimilation. A 2-month internship is also required. Afterward, the individual will have the opportunity to become a professional in a company or firm specializing in the disinfection of bed bugs. Being certified means that they hold a "certibiocide". The certibiocide has been a mandatory certification since July 1st, 2015, which allows for the use and distribution of certain biocide products. This certificate is individual and is issued to a natural person (and not a legal entity). It was made mandatory in 2013 and specifies the conditions for the professional use and distribution of the biocide products in question. It attests to a certain level of competence and allows for the supervision of activity and ensures a safer and more efficient use and application of products. A biocide is a product used to destroy, repel, or render harmless a harmful organism. The action of the biocide can be chemical or biological. Biocides are notably used against: fungi, bacteria, rodents, insects, etc.
What is the scope of work of a bed bug exterminator?
Contrary to what one may tend to think, the infestation of one's living space or bed by bed bugs is not a cleanliness problem. Indeed, it should be known that bed bugs can travel in luggage or on clothing, and it is also possible that other people bring them, whether they come from a neighbor's house or from a visit to an infested place (such as a library, cinema, public transport, second-hand furniture and/or clothing, etc.). As you may read and learn, the sources of infestation can be numerous; however, the four most frequently identified causes by infested individuals are: travel (in no less than 44% of cases), close friends or neighbors affected (in about 30% of cases), moving into a new home (in 20% of cases), or a second-hand purchase (in 10% of cases). The proliferation of bed bugs spares no place or form of habitat: hotels, youth hostels, mountain lodges, collective housing, private homes, shelters, retirement homes, prisons, hospitals, night trains, cruise ships... Bed bugs do not pose any risk of transmission of infectious agents (virus, bacteria, parasite...). The affected person can wash normally but should avoid scratching. The bites may disappear spontaneously after 10 days. However, they sometimes cause dermatological or allergic damage requiring medical consultation.
Why call on a professional bed bug exterminator?
Bed bugs are probably one of the most difficult parasites to eliminate as they are resistant to chemical pesticides and require a much more intense extermination process. It's clear that DIY treatments are not effective against bed bugs, and the few treatments that may work are only temporary before the bed bugs come back in full force. It's important to know that these tiny parasites can survive in freezing temperatures and up to 122°F, and not only can they withstand extreme temperatures, but they are also relatively intelligent (although they haven't invented the wheel either…). Bed bugs often hide during the day and choose to come out at night or when it's dark to feed. This allows them to stay hidden for longer periods of time, and it's the main reason why they are so difficult to find and exterminate. For all these reasons, the methods proposed to individuals do not work to get rid of bed bugs. They are an extremely difficult parasite to eliminate and require the help of a professional exterminator who uses the highest quality products and the most effective methods in pest control. Eradication professionals are trained to know how to effectively find and treat bed bugs. They will save you a lot of long-term money and hassle because they have the tools and know the most effective techniques, which allows them to get rid of bed bugs much faster and permanently. It's best to hire a professional as there are certain bed bug extermination techniques that can only be done with specialized equipment and can only be used by a professional pest control expert.
How to find a professional to get rid of bed bugs?
In principle, finding a professional in Knox City Centre shouldn't pose too much of a problem because cities are usually well-equipped in this area. This is especially true as the activity is currently booming, particularly because bed bugs have experienced a strong resurgence in recent years, affecting both urban and rural areas. Anyway, to start your search, we advise you to look around among your acquaintances, whether it's friends, family or even colleagues. It doesn't cost anything and it's often a very good way to get recommendations. It's possible that someone has had to call on a professional for this type of problem, in which case it would be silly not to take advantage of the good address... If word of mouth doesn't yield any results, which is possible, then don't hesitate to take a look online, as you will surely find what you need by searching there! We invite you to visit the StarOfService website, which lists all professionals in a particular area, including those who specialize in exterminating bed bugs. The site even allows you to obtain the contact details of professionals with just a few clicks, so you can contact them immediately to discuss your needs.
What are the rates for a professional bed bug exterminator?
Depending on the professional, there are several ways to calculate the cost of a bed bug extermination. Some will set a price per square metre, and will then treat rooms or even entire habitats based on the surface area communicated to them. Others will prefer a fixed price, regardless of the surface area, based on the level of infestation and other factors that are specific to them. The prices given here have no contractual value and are only an average based on observed prices across the national territory. Before discussing the cost of the intervention itself, let's first look at the prices of different treatments. Chemical treatment In general, chemical treatment is considered to cost between 7 and 12 euros per square metre, per visit. Some quotes may be subject to a minimum charge, for example in the case of a 10 or 12 square metre studio, which will still be charged a fixed fee. Steam treatment This method is relatively expensive and is often billed not by surface area, but by the hour, with hourly rates usually ranging from 40€ to 85€. It's important to note that the price may also increase if the professional has to work in an environment that is not well-suited (cluttered bedroom, etc.). Heat treatment It is considered one of the most expensive methods of eradicating bed bugs, especially as it requires a heat cannon to be connected and deployed in each infested room. To give you an idea of the price range, note that the disinfection of a 3-room apartment can cost up to 3000 euros. Cold treatment This method is much less commonly used as it involves the use of liquid nitrogen (at -180°C) and prices observed range from 35€ to 45€ per square metre. As noted earlier, bed bug extermination includes the cost of the extermination method, as well as the intervention of the professional. Often, 2 or 3 interventions are needed to truly get rid of the parasites. The rental or purchase of equipment and protective gear can also increase costs, so it's important not to underestimate these expenses.
How to choose the right bed bug exterminator?
Just like we did when it came to helping you find a professional in general, our first advice here will also be to use word of mouth, which is often the simplest and fastest way to find a good professional in all kinds of fields, including pest or vermin extermination. So don't hesitate to talk about your search with your friends, family members, and colleagues, as one of them may know a company that deals with this kind of task. If, however, word of mouth was to yield nothing, which is possible, then don't hesitate to turn to the fantastic resource that is the Internet. This resource is all the more relevant for the search of a bed bug extermination professional, so depriving oneself of it would be really foolish. The StarOfService website that we talked about earlier can provide you with a list of professionals who work in your region, and if you want to know the quality of their services, well, go and take a look at the many reviews and comments from past clients. This is undoubtedly the best way to get a really clear and objective idea of the quality of a professional or their work; this also applies, of course, to companies or freelancers who work in the eradication of bed bugs. Once you have selected the professional you need, all you have to do is check their availability, their lead times, define a date and a time with them, and you're done!
Some questions to ask a bed bug exterminator during your first interview: