How much does it cost to exterminate bed bugs?

A bed bug infestation is a great inconvenience, to say the least. After all, they infiltrate the one place in which you are meant to relax. Luckily, exterminators can help you get rid of bed bugs. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about bed bugs, from the signs of a bed bug infestation to bed bug treatment cost.

What are the signs and causes of a bed bug infestation?

In order to determine whether you have a bed bug infestation, you need to look for certain telltale signs. These signs will be apparent whether you have a light or severe bed bug infestation. 

Here are the most common signs of bed bugs in your house:

• Blood stains on your sheets and pillows?
• Brown stains around the seams of your bed or near your bed slats?
• The presence of tiny bits of shed skin that look like egg shells?
• A foul smell in your bedroom or near your bed?
• Physical sightings of mature bed bugs?
• Red bumps or a rash on your skin?

If you recognize any of these signs, you should immediately arrange for a bed bug inspection. It also helps to understand what causes a bed bug infestation. Using this knowledge, you can put in place preventative measures to avoid a future bed bug infestation. 

Bed bugs like crowded places and they can’t fly so they rely on humans to move from one place to another. You can carry bed bugs from an infested area or by taking used furniture in your house. They can travel in backpacks, luggage and other items that are placed on upholstered or soft surfaces so make sure to inspect items that come from vintage stores or antique furniture boutiques. 

How to check used furniture for bed bugs

What does a bed bug exterminator cost on average?

The cost for bed bug extermination varies depending on different factors, but you can expect to pay anywhere between $ 300 and $ 5,000. The average cost to exterminate bed bugs is $ 1,750. It is more expensive to exterminate bed bugs than other types of pests because they can live a long time without food. 

How much does an exterminator cost in Quebec?

What are the factors that affect bed bug extermination pricing?

1. The size of the infestation ?

Naturally, infestation size is a leading factor that affects the cost of bed bug extermination. If your level of infestation is low, it will require less resources and labor time, which will keep the price of the treatement down. The cost of bed bug extermination also depends on the number of rooms that are infested. 

2. The type of treatment ?

The kind of treatment method used to clear the infestation also affects bed bug treatment cost. There are five different types of bed bug extermination methods, all of which have a different price point, depending on the materials needed and the anticipated duration of the  extermination process. 

Here are the five most common bed bug removal methods and how much they cost:

• Heat treatment: $ 1 to $ 3 per square foot?
• Chemical treatment: $ 2 to $ 4.50 per square foot?
• Steam treatment: $ 2 to $ 7.50 per square foot?
• Freezing treatment: $ 3 to $ 6 per square foot?
• Fumigation: $ 4 to $ 8 per square foot?

The type of bed bug removal method you choose should be based on your budget, the level of infestation, and the durability of the items in your house.

3. How often you need the treatment ?

In some cases, a single visit from an exterminator is not enough to get rid of all of the bed bugs in your home. The more treatments your home requires, the more expensive it will be.  The options you have at your disposal are a one-time treatment, a quarterly treatment, a monthly treatment or a semi-monthly treatment. A one-time treatment usually costs s between $ 500 and $ 1,000 while a semi-monthly treatment can set you back by anywhere from $ 5000 to $ 9000.

Bed bug treatment cost | DIY vs. hiring a professional

When it comes to bed bug extermination, you can choose between tackling the infestation yourself or hiring an extermination company. However, since bed bugs are more difficult to get rid of than other types of pest, we recommend investing in bed bug extermination services in order to get rid of the infestation quickly and effectively.  

While DIY bed bug extermination will save you money, it is not likely to guarantee the complete removal of the bed bugs. Examples of DIY extermination methods include vacuuming all your furniture and carpets if you think you only have a small infestation, and washing your bedding on high heat. 

When you hire a professional exterminator, you are guaranteed the removal of all the bed bugs in your house and, in any case, a severe infestation demands the services of a professional, as you simply do not have the tools at your disposal.

Extermination services leave no stone unturned to eradicate bed bugs from homes. An exterminator will first come to your house in order to perform an inspection, following which he will recommend the best treatment plan. He will return if additional treatments are required and give you advice to prevent future infestations. 

What to expect during the bed bug treatment process

There are steps you need to take in order to prepare for the treatment and ensure maximum success. 

Before a bed bug treatment, you should:

• Get rid of anything that is on the floor or around the bed. It’s important to make sure to completely declutter any areas that will be treated.?
• Put the bedding or fabrics that are going to be treated in a hot wash first to give them a head start on the extermination process. ?
• Take everything out of drawers and clear anything that might be kept on furniture that is going to be treated.?
• Make sure all your pets are out of the house. ?

After a bed bug treatment, you should:

• Refrain from vacuuming your house for two weeks as it will neutralize the effects of the treatment.?
• Ventilate all rooms that were treated for at least two hours following the treatment. ?

How to prepare for bed bug treatment

How to avoid future bed bug infestations

Here are effective ways to avoid future bed bug infestations:

• Make sure you fully inspect any furniture you purchase to prevent bringing bed bugs into your house.?
• Use a protective cover on your mattress as this will ensure that the bed bugs cannot hide in any small openings or crevices that may be present on your mattress ?
• Regularly vacuum your house, including furniture, as this will ensure that all bugs are caught before they have time to multiply ?
• Inspect all the beds that you sleep in, whether in hotels or at friends’ houses as bugs can travel back with you.?
• Always wash your clothes immediately after you have stayed somewhere else.?
• Get rid of any clutter that may be present in your house as it can end up serving as a sanctuary for bed bugs.?
• Seal any entry points that you share with neighbors where they can get in, and also seal any cracks in your bed frame where they might nest. ?

Bed bug extermination services

The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to invest in bed bug extermination services. VExtermination can make sure you sleep well by getting rid of bug infestations in your house effectively and safely. We offer three different extermination packages to meet all your needs and protect your home or business from pests. 

Pest extermination packages