Bed bug treatment
Ask which rooms, furniture and belongings will be inspected and treated. For heat, ask how the provider measures conditions in difficult locations and handles heat-sensitive belongings. For targeted treatment, ask how concealed sites and eggs will be addressed, what preparation is needed, and when the next inspection is planned.
Agree on how new live finds will be handled and who coordinates adjacent units where required. Use the same inspection locations afterwards to compare physical evidence over time.
Bed bugs: confirm the evidence and contain the problem · Coordinate work in shared housing
Sources: EPA bed bug control · EPA treatment preparation
Termite treatment and structural repairs
Start with the identified or suspected group and a written inspection. For subterranean termites, compare which routes or portions of the foundation are included, how stations or treated zones are assessed, and which service visits maintain coverage. For drywood termites, compare which galleries or structural areas a localized treatment can reach with the preparation and scope of a whole-structure option.
Ask the inspector to identify inaccessible areas and unresolved moisture problems. Check who assesses the strength of damaged wood and whether the written warranty covers retreatment, repair, or both.
Termites: preserve the evidence and compare an inspected scope
Sources: EPA termite treatment · UC IPM drywood termites
Rodent and wildlife work
Compare monitoring or removal, permanent entry repairs, and contamination cleanup as separate lines. Ask which openings have actually been inspected and how continued activity will trigger a return visit. For occupied wildlife sites, ask who checks for dependent young or hibernation, contacts the applicable authority, and verifies departure before final repairs.
A written handoff can include the entrance locations, activity dates, cleanup scope and required repairs. For possible contact with a bat, obtain public-health or veterinary advice promptly.
Rats: distinguish routes and interrupt the infestation · Bats: exposure first, exclusion at the right time · Download a wildlife handoff sheet
Sources: CDC rodent exclusion · CDC bats and rabies prevention
Worked example: two rodent proposals
These are fictional offers in USD for the same 30-day period. Enter the initial amount, later paid visits and fees exactly as written.
Scroll sideways to see all columns
| Item | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| Initial charge | $220 | $340 |
| Later paid visits | 2 at $55 | 1 at $25 |
| Mandatory fees | $20 | $0 |
| Known total | $350 | $365 |
| Written scope | Trapping and return checks. Entry repair unpriced. | Trapping, return check and repairs for two named entry points. Cleanup excluded. |
The known totals differ by $15. Ask A for a price and scope for the same two entry repairs. Ask both who handles cleanup and what happens if activity continues. Carry any unresolved costs alongside the total in your comparison.
Compare your own offers · Questions to ask a provider
Sources: EPA pest-control service selection