Hiring the wrong bed bug exterminator costs you money, time, and sleep. The right questions protect your wallet, set honest expectations, and help you tell a real professional from someone looking for a quick job. Ask yourself a few questions first, then ask every company you call the questions below, including us.
Part 1: Questions to ask yourself first
Do I have signs of bed bugs?
Look for live bugs, shed skins, tiny black spots on the mattress seams, rusty stains on the sheets, or new bites after a night in bed. See 7 Early Signs of Bed Bugs. If you’re not sure, a professional inspection will tell you.
How bad is it?
Is it one bed, or have you seen signs in other bedrooms, the couch, or the recliner? The answer changes which treatment makes sense and what it costs.
What matters most to me?
Lowest price, fastest results, avoiding chemicals, or the strongest warranty? Knowing this helps you compare quotes fairly.
Part 2: Questions to ask the exterminator
1. Are you licensed and insured?
Any legitimate company carries both. Ask for proof. A professional won’t be offended.
2. How much bed bug experience do you have?
General pest control isn’t the same as bed bug work. Ask how long they’ve treated bed bugs, what kinds of places they’ve treated, and whether they can share reviews or references.
3. Do you inspect before you quote?
A company that quotes without looking is guessing. A good inspection shows where the bed bugs are, how far they’ve spread, and whether they’re even bed bugs.
4. Which treatment do you recommend, and why?
Chemical, heat, or a mix? Each has trade-offs in cost, prep, and speed. A good exterminator explains why one fits your home better than the other. Compare them in our guide to heat treatment.
5. Can I get an itemized quote?
Ask for the inspection, treatment, and follow-up costs broken out in writing so there are no surprise charges later.
6. What prep do I need to do?
Prep matters more than most people realize. Skipping it is one of the top reasons treatments fail. At a minimum, expect to:
- Strip all bedding, bed skirts, and pillowcases
- Run them through the dryer on high heat
- Clear clutter from around the bed, nightstands, and baseboards
- Find out whether you and your pets need to leave, and for how long
Get the full prep list in writing before treatment day. A shorter list isn’t a sign of a lazy company, but never skip a step you’re asked to do. We give every customer a What to Expect guide.
7. What warranty do you offer?
This may be the most important question, and the one people forget until it’s too late. Ask:
- How long does the warranty last: 30, 60, or 90 days?
- Is re-treatment under warranty free or discounted?
- What voids the warranty?
Two common ways people void a warranty without knowing it: using store-bought sprays or bug bombs after treatment, which scatters the bugs, and bringing used furniture or luggage from unknown places into the home. Get every condition in writing before you sign.
8. Will I need a follow-up visit?
Almost certainly. About 9 out of 10 bed bug jobs need at least one follow-up. That isn’t a failure. Eggs can survive the first treatment, and the follow-up catches the bugs that hatch before they can lay eggs of their own.
- Is the follow-up included in the price?
- How many days after the first treatment is it?
- What will more treatments cost if they’re needed?
A light problem caught early, one or two rooms for a few months, may be solved in one or two treatments. Three or more rooms for six months or longer can take more.
9. How do you keep my family and pets safe?
Ask how long kids and pets need to stay out of treated rooms and whether anyone in the home with health concerns needs to take extra steps.
10. What should I do after treatment, and if I still see bugs?
Ask what to clean and what not to clean, what success looks like, how long before activity should stop, and who to call if you see a live bug. A good company has a clear answer.
11. What forms of payment do you accept?
Know this up front so there are no surprises on treatment day.
Red flags
- They promise one treatment will always do the job.
- They quote over the phone without an inspection.
- They give a verbal guarantee but won’t put it in writing.
- They pressure you to book right now.
- They can’t explain their process or give prep and aftercare instructions.
Get at least two quotes, read the fine print, and only book when you feel confident.
Our prices, up front
- Inspection: $49–$99, depending on home size and location
- Treatment: $349–$500 per room
- Follow-up: $199–$299
- Heat treatment: quote required, starting at $1,500
Want to know what sets a real professional apart? Read A Real Exterminator Does More Than Spray.
Call Tulsa Bed Bug Specialist: (918) 892-5254
We’ll answer every question on this list before we start work.
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