To efficiently management mattress bugs, PMPs mentioned it was crucial to make use of quite a lot of instruments and therapy strategies.
“I think nowadays, you almost have to. I don’t think there’s that one perfect answer” to resolve mattress bug issues, mentioned Jaime Pilbeam, Superior Pest Control.
According to the 2023 PCT State of the Bed Bug Control Market survey, 92 p.c of PMPs mentioned their areas used standard pesticides of their mattress bug management regimens. This was the first therapy for 70 p.c.
Mattress encasements and lively mattress liners had been utilized by 62 p.c of pest management firm areas. “I always try to recommend mattress covers and box spring covers,” mentioned Scott Elsner, Bay Pest Solutions. He solely installs the covers that he sells, nevertheless.
Vacuuming (51 p.c), monitoring (46 p.c), and coverings utilizing warmth (31 p.c) and steam (28 p.c) had been frequently employed.
Nineteen p.c of PMPs used organic or biopesticide therapies to manage the pests. For Brad Sparks, Elite Pest and Termite Control, biopesticide is his go-to therapy.
“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 mentioned.
Canine detection was utilized by 15 p.c of firm areas, reported PMPs. Janssen Pest Solutions, which acquired its first mattress bug canine in 2008, has two dogs to determine mattress bugs and guarantee websites are mattress bug-free throughout follow-up visits. “That’s how we determine success,” mentioned Nancy Janssen.
Elsner, who works with a third-party canine inspection firm, is also a fan. “I can really speak highly of these dogs,” he mentioned. He gained’t tackle mattress bug work in multi-family housing until the shopper is prepared to make use of 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 mentioned.
In follow-up interviews, PMPs mentioned mattress bug management can contain about three service visits to examine, deal with and reinspect the positioning. The whole course of can take about six weeks. Heat therapy sometimes takes much less time.
Using steam and vacuuming and performing a chemical follow-up therapy can velocity up the method, mentioned Pilbeam, who sends two-person groups to mattress bug jobs. With two individuals, it’s simpler to carry mattresses and furnishings. “A team effort goes a heck of a long way,” he mentioned.
According to the PCT survey, 43 p.c of PMPs mentioned mattress bug therapies had been carried out yr spherical at their areas; 36 p.c mentioned summer time was the busiest time of yr for this service.
The common callback price for mattress bug management jobs was 4.5 p.c.
