Performing a Bid–Bed Bug Inspection

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Dealing with a bed bug infestation can be a stressful and traumatic experience for the client. Bed bugs carry an untrue stigma that will often leave the client feeling shame and embarrassment. Be sensitive to the client’s feelings and never under any circumstances discuss the client’s business with any uninvolved party (neighbors, passersby).

Review paperwork, both in your phone and on your service route log at the beginning of your day
and before you travel to the bid location. Pay attention to COW notifications, client concerns, or any other special remarks.

1. Park with the flow of traffic on the street. Do not block driveways when possible.
2. Review the Order Instructions and Location Instructions. Review your route log for hand-written notes.
3. Confirm the street address to make sure you are at the correct building(s).
4. Time into this account via mobile or on the paperwork.
5. Bring your paperwork and inspection gear to the door. Do not cross over grass or landscape on your way if avoidable.
6. Ring the doorbell or knock; step back to give personal space.
7. Greet them, introduce yourself, and identify that you are with Good Earth Pest Company.
8. Ask them what pest problems they have been experiencing and what their history of pest problems has been.
9. Ask the client what they have done so far to treat the bedbugs themselves.
10. Ask the client if there has been any moving of furniture, storage, or other items that might harbor bedbugs, from one room to another since or slightly before the problem was discovered.
11. Inspect the problem areas and any samples the customer may have to get a positive ID for bedbugs. Evidence of activity can include fecal spotting, cast molts, eggs, and any live bugs from instar to fully mature.
12. If the client knows the source of the bedbugs (how they were exposed) start your inspection there.
13. Inspect each bed thoroughly and in a widening circle inspect the rest of the furniture in the room. Pay special attention to cracks and crevices and seams and folds in upholstery.
14. Always check baseboards and other cracks and crevices in the room itself like closet and window tracks.
15. Inspect any furniture that exposed people frequently use like the living room sofa or a favorite recliner. If there is activity found in those areas again inspect the room in a widening radius from that activity.
16. While inspecting, take note of where you find the bed bugs and how many. Also note the size of each bed to be treated and their configuration (box spring, bed frame, etc).
17. Always ask questions. When dealing with a human parasite like a bed bug the distribution of the pest will be largely determined by the habits of the host/hosts it is feeding on. Do they watch a lot of TV? Do they carry around a blanket with them from place to place? Is there a lot of clutter? Do they leave their bedding laundry in a big pile in the laundry room with other things or does it go directly into the wash? Do they smoke? Do they work in healthcare or do they visit people’s homes? Asking the right question and building a complete narative could mean the difference between a successful or failed treatment.
18. In cases where there is an overabundance of clutter or storage, don’t leave a bid. Inform the customer that they will have to clear everything out to a manageable level, after which we can return to bid the job. These things must be disposed of off-premises to not re-introduce the infestation. Always advise them to not donate the items.
19. Using your knowledge of the account and your best judgment, complete the “Bed Bug Inspection Field Sheet” included in your bid folder.
20. Remember that you cant see everything. Just because no bugs were found in an area does not rule it out for treatment or monitoring. Err toward caution and use your experience when making these judgment calls.
21. Once you have a price write up a bid for service and present it to the customer. Explain the prep, the service, the follow-ups, and tell them what to expect for the timeline of results.
22. Be sure they understand that because of the multitude of factors in behavior, the endless amount of hiding places as well as the risk of re-introduction, there is no warranty. Any additional services not outlined in the service agreement will be bid out separately.
23. Return to your vehicle when done and secure all equipment and make sure it is safe to travel.
24. Enter all required information into PestPac Mobile. Enter notes on the service to be performed including rooms and areas to be serviced. (see PS.102 Entering material information and notes into PestPac Mobile). You are the first tech to be servicing this account, be sure that you update the location instructions with any pertinent information that other techs should know. Remember: Clients have access to your notes so they should always be professional and appropriate.
25. If it was a particularly pleasant interaction be sure to send a review invite via the Podium app (see PS.150 Sending a review invite using Podium Mobile).
26. Check off the account on your service route log.