Need treatment for bed bugs? Be careful, there are many unscrupulous providers in this sector. False diagnoses, exorbitant prices, use of dangerous products, no follow-up… there are many pitfalls. How can you find a trustworthy professional? Here is our advice.
Key information
➡️ Check that the professional has Certibiocide certification and a valid SIRET number.
➡️ Avoid quotes over the phone; the professional must carry out an on-site assessment.
➡️ Always request several quotes, even if you are in an emergency situation.
➡️ Ensure that several visits are planned.
➡️ Choose bed bug specialists rather than general pest control companies.
➡️ Request a detailed report of the treatment.
Tip #1. Check that the professional is certified and licensed.
The Certibiocide certificate: a legal requirement
This is the first criterion to check before signing a quote for bed bug treatment.
Any professional who uses insecticide products must hold a valid Certibiocide certificate issued by the Ministry of Ecological Transition. This document certifies that the technician has completed comprehensive training on:
- the safe handling of chemicals,
- risks to human health,
- environmentally friendly methods.
Certibiocide certification is valid for five years and applies only to individuals, not companies.
The use of products such as Sniper 1000 EC is dangerous for you and your pets and is ineffective in getting rid of bed bugs.
Without this certification, the use of anti-bedbug products is illegal. You can easily check whether a service provider is approved on the official register of Certibiocide-certified companies.
➡️Cetibiocide certificate verification tool
Good to know: insecticides should only be used as a last resort and only in cases of advanced infestation. Other control methods should be used first. See our complete protocol for dealing with bed bugs.
A registered company
In addition to certification, professionals must operate under a valid SIRET number and have professional insurance covering pest control services.
➡️ Check a company’s information on infogreffe.fr.
In addition, remember to check that the service provider is not in bankruptcy or collective proceedings (receivership or liquidation).
To do this, still on the infogreffe.fr website, go to the ‘Collective proceedings’ section:
The case of canine detection professionals
Specially trained sniffer dogs are very effective at detecting bed bugs. The method is over 95% reliable, provided you use a reputable service provider.
We recommend that you choose the following professionals:
- Those who have obtained Bureau Veritas ‘VALIDATED BED BUG RECOGNITION EXPERTISE’ certification
- Members of the SEDCP: Union of Canine Bed Bug Detection Experts.
Tip #2. Be wary of quotes that seem too good to be true or unclear pricing.
When bed bugs invade your home, panic can sometimes lead you to accept the first quote you receive. Whether the price is too low or too high, there are hidden costs, or the initial quote is not honoured, you need to be very vigilant!
Abnormally low prices: a warning sign
Professional bed bug treatment requires time, specialised equipment and at least two visits spaced 7 to 10 days apart.
An excessively low quote (e.g. less than £150 for an entire property) is therefore an immediate cause for suspicion.
➡️ Key point: a reputable company will always start with an on-site assessment before providing a quote. The service provider needs to evaluate the surface area to be treated, the extent of the infestation and any sensitive areas (mattresses, bed bases, sofas, skirting boards, furniture, etc.).
What information should you check on the quote?
A reliable quote should clearly indicate a complete protocol:
- preparation of the property before treatment,
- the number of treatments planned,
- the type of treatment used (steam, thermal, chemical),
- the products used with their approval numbers,
- the associated guarantees (follow-up, inspection).
If these items are not included in the quote, walk away. Some service providers take advantage of customers’ stress to add unannounced ‘extras’ (travel, equipment, bedding cleaning). Also be wary of ‘rates starting from’ – the rate must be fixed.
Average rates for bed bug treatment
| Type of treatment | Average price for 50 m² |
| Chemical treatment | €500 per trip |
| Heat treatment | 2500 € |
| Cold heat treatment | 2500 € |
| Canine detection | From €170 to over €500 |
Be wary of advance payments
A reputable professional will never ask for full payment before the first treatment. A reasonable deposit may be required, but invoicing should only take place once treatment has begun or even been completed.
Tip #3. Choose bed bug specialists over generalists
Not all pest control companies are the same. Some deal with rodents, mosquitoes, fleas, cockroaches, etc., but are not familiar with the specifics of bed bug treatment. Bed bugs are particularly resistant insects with a unique biology: eliminating them requires specific technical expertise and a rigorous protocol.
A guarantee of effectiveness
A true bed bugs specialist has a thorough understanding of the insect’s behaviour: its hiding places (mattresses, bed bases, furniture, skirting boards), its nocturnal habits and the resistance of its eggs.
Unlike a ‘generalist’ pest controller, they do not simply spray an anti-bedbug product, but implement a comprehensive treatment strategy:
- accurate visual diagnosis or canine detection,
- identification of risk areas (beds, sofas, textiles, frames, walls),
- meticulous preparation of the home (clearing out, isolating clean items in airtight boxes or bags, removing loose wallpaper, filling cracks, dismantling beds and bed bases, etc.)
- combination of several control methods (heat, steam, vacuuming, selective professional product).
This approach delivers lasting results where simple chemical treatment may fail.
The tools of a true expert
A specialised professional has the appropriate, certified equipment:
- a professional steam cleaner capable of producing dry steam at over 120°C, which instantly destroys eggs and bedbugs,
- a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to capture insects without dispersing them,
- bed bug traps placed under the bed legs or near the sleeping area to check for the presence of bed bugs,
- professional bedbug control products that are approved.
Being a member of CS3D: a guarantee of professionalism
It is also a good idea to check whether the service provider is a member of CS3D (Chambre Syndicale des Professionnels de la 3D – Disinfection, Insect Control, Rodent Control).
This union brings together companies recognised for their professionalism, ongoing training and commitment to using approved products.
Tip #4. Request an intervention report
Once the treatment has been carried out, the professional must provide you with an intervention report. This document certifies:
- the actions actually carried out,
- the products and tools used,
- the areas treated,
- and the safety or cleaning instructions to be followed after the intervention.
This report may also include prevention recommendations: use of bedbug covers, cleaning of bedding, monitoring with traps, etc.
A document to keep safe
Keep these documents safe: they serve as proof in the event of re-infestation, recourse to your landlord or a request for financial assistance (CAF, ANAH or home insurance).
They also provide a useful history for monitoring the treatment, particularly if a second visit is necessary.
Tip #5. Be wary of guaranteed results
Some companies proudly advertise a ‘100% results guarantee’ or promise total elimination of bed bugs in a single treatment. In reality, no reputable professional can guarantee this.
A difficult promise to keep
Bed bugs are one of the most resistant insects in existence. Their eggs, protected by a thin waxy layer, can survive certain chemicals and hatch several days after treatment. Furthermore, if even one female escapes treatment, the infestation can start again.
This is why most professional protocols require at least two treatments spaced 7 to 10 days apart.
A serious guarantee means follow-up. An honest professional should not promise you the moon: instead, they should commit to rigorous follow-up until the bedbugs are completely gone.
Serenid: a range of effective and sustainable products
We have developed a comprehensive range of bed bug control products designed to offer professional solutions to private individuals. Serenid is committed to providing the best advice and protocols, as well as all the keys to getting rid of bed bugs. Serenid products are also an excellent complement to pest control treatments.
They help maintain results over time and secure sensitive areas.
Bed Bug TRANQUILITY KIT
• Preventive and insecticide pack against bed bugs
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The checklist of the most common scams
| Common scam | What you need to know | The right reflex |
| The “free diagnosis” followed by a compulsory quote | Some salespeople claim to have found bedbugs without any proof and get customers to sign a quote on the spot. | Always request visual proof (photograph, captured insect) before any action is taken. |
| The price that’s too good to be true | Offers at €99 all-inclusive often conceal ineffective products or the absence of a second visit. | A proper bedbug treatment costs between £250 and several thousand pounds, depending on the surface area and method used. |
| The absence of Certibiocide certification | Some untrained service providers handle dangerous insecticides. | Check the Certibiocide number in the official register before taking any action. |
| Express intervention without diagnosis | Spraying a product in 10 minutes without inspection is not a professional method. | A true expert inspects the bedding, mattresses, bed bases, furniture and sheets before taking action. |
| False ‘100% results’ guarantees | Complete elimination in one visit is biologically impossible (the eggs are resistant). | Select a company that offers follow-up service with a second visit if necessary. |
| Full payment required before treatment | Some service providers take the money and then disappear. | Never pay more than 30 to 40 per cent deposit before the first visit. |
