Is There Value In A Professional Exterminator?

The family of an 82-year-old woman in Houston, Texas is suing a pest control company for negligence leading to her death. The woman and her husband chose a heat treatment method to rid their apartment of a bed bug (Cimex lectularius) infestation. After treatment, the family claims the pest control company did not warn them to stay out of the house while it cooled down leading to the couple returning home prematurely. This caused them to begin to lose consciousness in an apartment that was 139 degrees.

This is a tragic and preventable story. We are not aware of the specifics of this situation but there are unfortunately many similar stories. To save money, some people will trust companies that cut corners to offer a cheaper service or attempt dangerous do-it-yourself treatments themselves. I have spoken with people who attempted to use their own propane heater to remove bed bugs without thinking about the potentially fatal consequences of catching their house on fire or the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide gas released from burning propane. When people find out they have a bed bug infestation, they stress not only about removing the infestation but also the financial impact it will have on them. This is understandable. Please don’t let this stress lead you to any treatment method that is not safely performed by a reputable, competent professional. The risks are far greater than the money that can be saved on the treatment.

*Delzo, Janissa. (2018, February 23). Woman Died Due to Extreme Heat From Bedbug Treatment, Negligence Lawsuit Claims. Retrieved from www.newsweek.com