Got Bed Bugs? Bedbugger Forums » Bed bug pest control firms (PCOs), Bed bug k9s, etc.
Can anyone recommend a REALLY good PCO in NY? Thank you!!!!
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SingingBird
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Joined: Sep '11
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 13:24:02
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Hi,
Can anyone recommend a really good PCO and perhaps with a decent pricing who might have a guarantee?? You see, it seems we have a lot of bed bugs and we own a huge house with a top apartment and bottom apartment totaling 5 bedrooms along with an attic and garage and of course two kitchens, two baths, and a living room. - I guess that's 12 rooms.
I have called about 10 companies so far and I have been quoted by some an "idea" of an estimate after I described the house and have been told it would cost close to $4,000 from most of the companies! I really can't afford that
So, that's unfortunately one problem I have and the next problem I have is that I am nervous to use a company and they will do only 2 or 3 treatments and it won't be enough to rid my home of the bugs and some of the companies I have called don't have a guarantee of at least 60-90 days after the last treatment to ensure that the company will be willing to come back and help me if their job didn't do it after I were to spend 4,000 dollars! Which I will have to take out a loan to do We're already in so much debt. I called some companies that I am looking into also. Please tell me if you know good or bad things about these companies. You can PM me and thank you in advance.
Abolish Pest Control from Brooklyn- they estimated about 1150 for my home which was the cheapest by far that I had been told by any company I called. They told me they have a 90 day guarantee and they would do up 2 treatments and after that do up to 6 visits within my 90 day guarantee if I were to need more visits. They don't do an inspection and since I already know I have bugs he told me I could send him a picture to confirm the bugs and then just start doing the treatments. I am not sure what they use though.
Eliminex Pest Co.- told me they do kryonite freezing and some chemical spraying with a guarantee of 90 days or they have a thermal option where they bring in heaters and heat up the walls and rooms to 130 degrees or more and this will only require one treatment, but this treatment makes me nervous about damaging my home and my electronics and materials. On top of it, it's way more expensive- close to 5,000 whereas the freezing and spraying option is 350 per room which still totals around 4200 dollars...I'm sure there's tax too. Sigh.
Bed Bug 911 Inc.- was told they would give me an estimate once coming to the house to do an inspection and it depends on how bad the infestation looks. He said they use chemical, green enzyme?, freezing and heat steam, and vacuum and anything else that is needed. He said he would tell me once he saw my home what would need to be done and how many treatments we would need that would be included under the one price- he said sometimes 2 or 3 depending on the infestation and he would give a 3 month guarantee.
Knockout Pest Control- told me they have a 30 day guarantee, do an inspection, they do 3 treatments two weeks apart and they use kryonite freezing, chemicals, and sometime dust in the walls. She told me the price would be 3600. I believe she told me they do the same treatment all 3 times.
Pest Pro Services- they told me they would do 2 treatments- an initial one that would be about 2 hours long and only chemical spraying using alcohol-based chemicals, no steaming or freezing. He said if we do all our prep correctly which will take a week to prep, they will have a guarantee that if we continue having bed bugs after the 2 treatments, they will keep coming back until the problem is gone. The cost he said for the whole house would be 395. I was amazed to hear this price and don't know if he made a mistake. They seem to be located in Staten Island. I'm wondering if it would be worth it to do this company and make sure the contract binds them to a guarantee to keep coming back. I really need something that is affordable like this kind of pricing.
Pro Service Pest Control from Brooklyn- told me it would be 850 to treat my entire home the first time and then 110 for the second treatment- they do 2 treatments and after that they have a 3 month guarantee if we were to see anymore bugs. She told me they use liquid sprays- one that is a birth control, another that is a residual and a direct kill on contact spray. She told me once I asked her how we would begin the treatment if we chose this company and she said we could call up and pay by CC over the phone and begin treatment that same day during which the technician would inspect where the bed bugs are mainly harboring but would do the whole house since they can be anywhere....not sure how I feel about the fact that I am supposed to pay for the service first by telephone before the job is even done........
Empire Pest Control in Brooklyn- told me they only do one treatment and the total would be around 900. They would use one professional chemical on the couches and chairs and such in the whole house called Talstar P and then they would leave me with Bedlam, Sterifab an Diatomaceous Earth and would explain how to use those items. And she said if we still see bugs up to two weeks after treatment, they would come again to do another spraying.
Boot-a-Pest- was told it would be two treatments- first being a steaming and chemical treatment along with dust for the walls I believe. Then the second treatment would be something different- neurotoxins to stop the bugs from reproducing energy and slow the bloods metabolism, I believe I'm remembering this correctly. There is also a charge for the inspection itself. I don't think we would need the inspection since we already know we have the bugs. But I don't believe there was a guarantee after the two treatments which terrifies me particularly because I was given an estimate of close to 4,000.
Positive Pest Management from Brooklyn- told me it would about 1500, includes only one treatment using chemicals and then they have a guarantee if we see bugs within 60 day after the treatment, they will come back to re-treat. Was told that they use Sterifab, Phantom, Gentrol, Tempo Dust for the outlets and walls, and Pyrethrin aerosol can to kill ones on contact. After the one treatment , if we find proof that there are still bed bugs, they will come back within 60 days after treatment.
Well those are the ones I researched, please let me know what you think and if you have suggestions for a good company you know of. My two problems are I can't afford to pay over 1,500 (maybe I can scrounge up 2,000 if my family and I don't eat too much for a while) and I am worried that I'll pay and not be guaranteed that the company will come back a few times to help me at no additional cost if the bugs are still around. Please help me and thank you so much.
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AshamedandScratching
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Joined: Aug '11
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 13:41:00
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Lots of PCOs are here, including Boot-a-Pest, aka KillerQueen. He's the only one I've had any professional dealings with, so the only one I feel comfortable commenting on.
I spoke with him and found him honest and helpful in my situation. I find his posts knowledgable. I've heard really good things backchannel about him from other board members. I'd hire him if it were my choice.
I would say that many of the things above are get what you pay for. You should research the PCOs, do a BBB check, but also learn about their techniques. Some techniques have a higher success rate so you may want to invest in peace of mind, On the other hand, if you have a guarantee/warranty on the work and are persistant and proactive, you could end up in the same place with either a top of the line or a bottom market treatment. Keep in mind for most guarantees/warrantees, you'll need to present live bugs to enforce it. (Read the language carefully.)
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jrbtnyc
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 14:14:52
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AshamedandScratching - 33 minutes ago »
Lots of PCOs are here, including Boot-a-Pest, aka KillerQueen.
...KillerQueen – Boot-a-Pest – has consistently received rave reviews. See some of the following threads.
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SingingBird
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Joined: Sep '11
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 15:06:44
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Thank you for the responses. Unfortunately I cannot afford to use him though I would absolutely love to. I have seen the great reviews already prior to writing this thread and wish my budget was larger so I could hire him.
I am wondering, if any PCO or someone knowledgeable about insecticides can help me. I think I may go with Pest Pro Services. They don't usually treat private homes. Their target is units and hospitals and such. They of course will do a home if someone calls in looking for their services but their target is not private bed bug problems since they mainly work for companies and larger managements. I was told they use Sterifab, Suspend, and Delta Dust for the outlets and walls. They do 2 treatments. Are these products good products for getting rid of Bed Bugs? Any information would be deeply appreciated.
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cilecto
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 15:16:41
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For what it's worth, as far as I know, chemical or dust treatment usually skips the kitchen and bath (and likely, the garage), as these are not rooms where people sit/sleep. That should reduce your room numbers somewhat.
Also, factor in what the prospective PCO expects from you in materials, effort & time (which has different values for different people) for preparation.
If you're in a stand-alone house, you also have the option of Vikane fumigation. This takes less preparation and kills in one shot. If you're in an attached home, you can't get Vikane, but can get "thermal" treatment, where skilled pros pump hot air into your home over the course of a day to elevate the temperature and kill bugs (but, be careful of a proliferation of "cowboys" who have recently been offering this service, with potentially disastrous results).
You also need to take into account if you're at risk for re-exposure (due to visitors, travel, tenant turnover, bugs from work or school, relatives, etc.). If this is you, then you'll probably need not necessarily a "guarantee", but to develop a constructive relationship with a PCO (and to do what you can to reduce future risk).
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buggyinsocal
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 15:27:56
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Also be sure to factor in the cost of prep and prep materials.
Vikane and heat generally seem to cost more up front than chemical treatment. However, most chemical treatments require a lot of cost to the person doing the prep: tons of laundry, in some cases plastic bags or bins, etc. When you factor those costs in, what appears to be the most expensive option may be the least expensive overall.
Vikane and heat, when done properly, also take care of the problem in one treatment, as opposed to several. (If you're a landlord, be aware that Vikane requires tenants to be out of the residence for several days; in California, at least, landlords must put tenants up at hotels during that time if the tenants don't volunteer to stay with friends or family.)
However, Vikane and heat don't include any protection against future infestations or reinfestation, so if you aren't sure how the bed bugs got there, that may be a factor in your decision.
On the other hand, Vikane and heat generally require less prep, so you're less likely to run into problems with PCOs claiming that tenants' lack of proper prep caused the failure.
Lots of variables to think about, but I do want people to make those decisions as well informed as they can.
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SingingBird
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Joined: Sep '11
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 16:00:08
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I live in a freestanding home, not attached homes. There is an upstairs and a downstairs and a few feet between me and the next home next door. I am actually not interested in doing the heat treatments because it sounds like it could end up being a terror and damaging my home. I'm fearful of the idea of overheating my house and the Vikane is something I could not use because I don't have anywhere to stay with my family for several days. We all work as it is and need our home to sleep in. Actually, I am thankful both of you mentioned what I just started thinking about which is that I have to factor in the fact that I may re-infest myself if one of our job locations has bed bugs. ESPECIALLY, since I work at 3 hotels in NYC. It's possible that I could have brought the bed bugs home from one of the hotels, meaning they could still be in the hotels I work for....meaning that I will just keep re-infesting our home and then we will have to keep paying large amounts for pest services and ultimately have to declare bankruptcy!
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AshamedandScratching
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Joined: Aug '11
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 16:04:37
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If you don't use protocols at work, you should start.
Look at the FAQ for traveling for a description of what i mean by protocols. You may want to ziplock bag your possessions at work.
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SingingBird
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Joined: Sep '11
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 16:19:39
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I have been zipping up my work outfit in an encasement but yes I will have to start doing even more of a work protocol. Any more suggestions? Should I purchase something like Bedlam (is it safe to use on clothes?) and start spraying my work clothes more often and perhaps spraying myself before entering my car and home?
Now, as for this company I am thinking of using. I am not sure now what to think. I am actually now surfing around their website and find it odd that there is no info under all their insect pages. I was only able to see an About Us page with little info and I took a look at the Downloadable Brochure. If someone could tell me what they think, I'd appreciate it. Thank you- [pest professionals link deleted]
Also, anyone with knowledge on insecticide, could you please tell me if the chemicals this company told me they use which are- Sterifab, Delta Dust, and Suspend.....are those good chemicals for ridding bed bugs?
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SingingBird
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 16:26:14
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[pest professionals link deleted]
That's another brochure of theirs off the internet I discovered from a sister company they said they work with off their own site's brochure.
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cilecto
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 16:40:53
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SingingBird.
You've got to read the FAQ. It covers how to evaluate a PCO and how to protect yourself from bugs in travel or work (no, spraying your clothes with BedLam is probably not a good idea). A PCO's web site or brochure only tells you about the skills of the person who put together their site. The products you mentioned are just a few of those, which, if used properly and skillfully, can serve as part of a multi-pronged approach to bed bug eradication. You've got to read the FAQ. If you work in hospitality, you should also read these comprehensive guides and fact sheets from our RESOURCES page:
- http://www.michigan.gov/documents/emergingdiseases/Bed_Bug_Manual_v1_full_reduce_326605_7.pdf
- http://www.bedbugbmps.org/best-practices
- http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/vector/vector-faq1-hotel.pdfDid I mention this already? You've got to read the FAQ.
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jrbtnyc
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Posted 1 year ago
Wed Sep 14 2011 18:23:20
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Singing Bird, also check your PM's, private mails, at:
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oldtimer
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Posted 1 year ago
Thu Sep 15 2011 0:49:09
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Hello, I'm sorry to hear what you're going through.
I don't recall speaking to you but I can tell you what you mentioned above (in reference to what I do) is incorrect. Also I will not have a person go through the expense of an inspection if they have hard evidence already. I'll ask you to email a photo of what you found. Calling all those companies I'm sure you may have mixed that up, no problem.
As for a stand alone home, if you were asking me for a price and telling me you were shopping around with other companies I may have tossed a number out but it will not be an accurate price because I can't see what I'm up against on the phone.
Guarantees are a problem for me because I know I'll get it out of your home. Can you guarantee me that you will do the prep right? Guarantee me they're not in your car or at a boyfriend/girlfriends house? Will you travel in 2 months and get exposed again and think I never got rid of them? Are they at work, or the movie house you go to in three weeks? Will your aunt who has them, but tells no one, come over again in a month? Are they in a family members school? A million things stack up against you but the company doing the work has to sell the insurance and take the hit if something fails.
Keep in mind I'm not sending some brain dead baseboard jockey over to show face and fulfill the guarantee. That's the reason why my pricing structure is different for the first and second treatment. Somebody paying $1000.00 or $1,400.00 for the first treatment only pays $350.00 for the second treatment. If you need six treatments, its still $350.00.
Bottom line, I'll get it out of anyones house ... just don't bring it back =)
Good Luck with whoever you pick! I hope you get it resolved asap.
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