Selecting a Pest Manager

Today’s insecticide-resistant Bed Bugs are complex and difficult pests to control. In order to become truly competent in controlling them, comprehensive training and considerable experience are required. Without this training and experience, not only is it likely that the infestation will not be controlled but it is highly probable that it will be worsened.

At the time of writing, only a few pest management companies can claim real expertise in managing this pest and there is no industry-recognised, comprehensive, accredited training course on bed bug management in Australia, though one is under development by the Code of Practice Working Party.

Until this situation is corrected consumers and accommodation managers are left in a position where it is difficult to make an informed decision about which pest manager to use to treat an infestation.

Allpest (www.allpest.com.au) has developed a list of specific questions that your prospective pest manager should be able to answer without hesitation. The phone operator may need to transfer you to a Bed Bug specialist within the company.

1. Do your treatments follow the current Bed Bug Code of Practice?
If the pest manager does not know about the code of practice then they are probably not likely to be knowledgeable on the latest trends and information on Bed Bugs.

2. What training and experience do your technicians have with Bed Bugs?
A technician should have had been put through Bed Bug specific training and preferably a minimum of 10 to 15 treatments experience under supervision. Look for a company that has technicians that specialise in Bed Bugs.

3. Do you use repellent or non-repellent chemicals?
Strictly speaking a combination of both is the answer; however, if non-repellent chemicals is the representative’s answer then they are likely to know that non-repellent chemicals play an essential role in Bed Bug management. Note: Odourless Chemicals are different to Non-Repellent. A treatment using exclusively repellent (standard pest control chemicals) is less likely to achieve success and may increase the likelihood of Bed Bugs spreading to neighbouring rooms.

4. How long do eggs take to hatch and how long until those nymphs (baby Bed Bugs) are reproductive?
Eggs take 5 to 18 days to hatch depending on ambient temperature and nymphs become reproductive after 5 blood meals which can occur in as little as 5 weeks.
In the course of the phone discussion it is expected that the pest manager should

• Have a system of verifying that the pest you are experiencing problems with is definitely Bed Bugs. This may be a site visit, digital photographs via email or a series of specific questions.
• Have a standard operational procedure for dealing with infestations which they can show you.
• Mention that follow up treatments will be required.
• Be happy to spend time talking to you, the more information they have the better chance they have of success.
• If geographically practical, come out to see the room to establish a management plan prior to a firm price being quoted or treatment occurring.