The Cost of Chemical Treatment for Bed Bugs
The most common bed bug extermination treatments recommended by pest control companies are bed bug chemical treatments. Despite its popularity and the fact that it takes a lot of work, many people are unaware of the usual bed bug chemical treatment cost and how effective this method is.
For exterminators using chemical sprays and powders, it can take multiple treatments before you have entirely exterminated all bed bugs, and even then, there is a risk as some bed bugs are resistant to chemicals. It is crucial that you choose a licensed professional exterminator to make sure that they are knowledgeable about what they are doing and apply the chemicals safely.
The cost of chemical treatments ranges from as low as $70 per room to almost $1000 depending on the size of your home. There are companies that will provide their estimate per square foot, which will give you an idea of the approximate cost of treatment in your entire home or the number of rooms that must be treated.
With the estimate, companies may have the inspection fees and other charges included in the price package or as an add-on to the package. Keep in mind that inspection is a vital process. It allows the professional bed bug exterminators to identify the extent of the infestation and the number of treatments needed to kill bed bugs and their entire colony completely.
Usually, the exterminator will provide about 3 months of warranty, but it is advisable to look for an exterminator that can provide at least a 1-year warranty. This will give you the advantage of a discounted treatment or even a free one in case you notice that bed bugs are reappearing in your home.
Want to know more about how to choose the right exterminator? Click here.
What Factors are Considered in the Estimated Chemical Treatment Cost?
There are several factors that the pest control company representative may mention when you are asking for an estimate. Therefore, it is necessary that you provide them with these details to give you a near accurate cost and guide you through the process. Some of the things considered when getting an estimate include:
- Size of the property
A larger property means that the treatment will require a more thorough inspection and more products to use in the process. The representative will also ask you about the number of rooms that are possibly infested with bed bugs. The estimate may vary whether you’re having the entire house, a few rooms, or your entire apartment treated.
- The extent of the bed bug infestation
To know the extent of the infestation, the exterminator will have to conduct a thorough inspection and will look at all cracks and crevices. Professional bed bug exterminators will locate each and every possible dwelling spot where these bugs have built their colony. However, you should give them an idea of how many rooms are affected to get an estimated cost for the treatment.
- Your location
Remember that the cost of the bed bug treatment may also depend on your location. There are some companies in certain cities which offer very affordable rates for one treatment. On the other hand, different companies have a fixed price for their integrated pest management packages. To get an idea of how much a chemical treatment costs in different cities in Canada for a two-bedroom apartment, refer to the following:
- Toronto – $450 to $1000
- Calgary – $250 to $700
- Ottawa – $400 to $800
- Edmonton – $150 and up
- Mississauga – $450 to $1000
- Winnipeg – $70 to $400
- Vancouver – $400 to $600
- Hamilton – $250 to $700
*Note: Prices vary once the HST/GST is included in the total cost.
To avoid any hassle when trying to deal with bed bugs, it is highly recommended that you ask for quotes from different companies and compare the prices. You can then narrow down your list and pick the one that is the most reputable and can provide services that are worth the estimated cost.
If you are renting, the exterminator may ask you to talk to your landlord and let them know about the issue. This way, you’ll know if the landlord will need to take over the issue since it is most likely that neighbouring units have bed bugs.
Homeowners may even spend twice the average cost of the bed bug removal service depending on the severity of the infestation. Since the use of chemicals requires several applications, the total cost may double or even triple, especially when the bugs keep coming back. However, this is less likely to happen if you’ve prepared your home for the procedure and are following the advice of the exterminator after the service.
How is a Chemical Treatment Done?
Essentially, treating bed bugs with chemicals is done by using pesticides with pyrethroids, pyrethrins, and desiccants to get rid of bed bugs.
- Pyrethroids are a replacement for the older pesticides used during the 90s and attack the nervous system.
- Pyrethrins are those made from a popular holiday flower called chrysanthemums. These are poisonous and target the nervous system, which kills the bugs immediately.
- Desiccants like diatomaceous earth can get rid of the exoskeleton which protects the bugs’ body and dehydrates them until they die.
For people dealing with these pesky critters, the use of chemicals is considered the cheapest option, unlike a heat treatment. The use of a heat treatment may have a higher cost, which makes more people go for the use of chemicals instead of heat. Since the newer species of these bugs have developed resistance to pesticides, repeating the chemical treatment is necessary to ensure successful results.
Chemical treatments may take at least 3 weeks to get rid of adult bed bugs. The company may provide follow up visits, but it may still cost you more in case they see that a re-infestation is starting. A better understanding of available treatments will give you more information on the best solution for the infestation in your home.
Want to know another alternative for chemicals? Learn the cost of a bed bug heat treatment to compare your available options.
Preparations Needed Prior to the Treatment Schedule
When you call for the service of exterminators, you will most likely be provided with full instructions on what to do prior to the scheduled treatment day. Some of the things that they will ask you to do include the following:
- Have infested clothing washed and dried on the highest heat setting. Freshly dried clothes must be placed in sealable containers or bags to avoid re-infestation.
- Prepare bed bug mattress encasements and box spring covers. You can wrap your mattresses and box springs with high-quality encasements right after the treatment. This can help trap those that are hiding in the mattress and box springs while the chemicals will do the job of killing the ones left outside. Make sure that you keep the encasements on for at least a year to make sure that all adult bed bugs and their eggs will die of starvation and suffocation.
- Declutter and pack up infested items. Belongings that you’ve decided to discard must be wrapped tightly before throwing them away to prevent the bugs from spreading. For those that you still need to use, put all small items in sealable containers. You can also put them inside bags that you can seal with tape and leave it for about 3 to 6 months to starve and suffocate the bed bugs.
Items that can’t be laundered must be placed in one container and pointed out to the exterminator for them to check and heat-treat it, if necessary. Clear all closets, dressers and other storage areas.
- Move all furniture away from the walls and avoid stacking items. If you don’t want the exterminators to move your belongings, you might as well move them on your own. Move them away from the walls, don’t let any of the items stick to each other, and avoid piling items up. This will reduce the possible hiding spots and make sure that the chemicals will be evenly distributed across the infested room.
- Remove all pets, plants, and consumables. Make sure that no pets, plants, and consumables are left inside the house or room before the treatment begins.
- Do not apply any insecticides before the treatment. Keep this in mind, as it may worsen the problem when the bed bugs look for other hiding spots or may conflict with the chemicals used by the exterminator.
