Faced with a hornet nest or bed bugs, people often look for someone urgently. That is exactly when it pays to keep a few reflexes. Here are the questions to ask, whichever company you call.
The 8 questions to ask
- Are you Certibiocide certified? In France this certification is compulsory to use professional biocides. Find out more.
- Are your prices published or given before the job? A serious professional gives a price or a written quote before starting.
- Is travel included? Ask, especially in the mountains.
- How many visits are included? For cockroaches and bed bugs, two visits are usually needed.
- What guarantee do you offer? Ask how long it lasts and what happens if the problem comes back.
- Which products and which precautions? You should know whether to leave the property and how to protect children and pets.
- How soon can you come? And do you work at weekends for emergencies?
- Where can I read your reviews? A Google profile with recent reviews and replies from the professional is a good sign.
Warning signs
- No company name, no address, just a phone number.
- A very low price on the phone that rises sharply once on site.
- Immediate payment demanded before any work.
- No document given after the visit.
My answers
To be transparent, here are my answers to the same questions: Certibiocide-certified technician, prices published including VAT, travel included in the Chamonix valley, two visits included for cockroaches and bed bugs, 6-month guarantee (results guarantee for nests), call-out within 24 to 48 hours and 7 days a week for wasps, hornets and bed bugs. My customers’ reviews are on my Google profile.