I had my share of bedbugs experiences in my life time... being a traveler, it's hard avoid them - those who never encounter them can consider themselves really lucky!!
When I moved into this flat as a sublet, I got bitten within the first days. And when my roommate moved into her room a few days after me, we found the "epicentre" of all the evil: her new room. It is still a mystery to us how our tenants, who had just sublet the place to us for a few months, could never realize they were THIS infested - bedbugs everywhere! Crawling on the bed, the bed frame, the walls, hiding in the little cracks where the wall meets the floor...
As I had issues with bedbugs in the past, I knew how difficult they are to get rid off. I researched online whether there was proper sprays and such to avoid paying hundreds of dollars to some pest control. But I tell you: most the "insect sprays" they recommend online are useless. I've tried them in the past. And when going with the proper stuff you can get yourself, you end up paying the same as for a professional pest control - and you still have to do it all yourself! And it's a hell of a job!!
So we decided to call up Home Hardware Pest Control. From beginning to end, starting with Natalie in Costumer Service and ending with the guys that "handled" our apartment, I could not have been happier with their service! They were friendly, prompt, reliable, professional, thorough and friendly. They explained that it would take 2 treatments 2 weeks apart from each other, and then, usually, they will have gotten rid of all bugs and eggs. They sent us a prep-sheet to get our flat ready, which we adhered to with great detail as I cannot emphasize enough HOW resilient and evil those little bugs are!!! They hide everywhere. Every crack, every gap, especially in suitcases, books, wooden materials (bed frames, cupboards, ...).
Turns out our bugs were even more resilient than the average bedbug, which meant we needed an additional 3rd treatment about 10 days after the 2nd one (cost: 100$ plus tax). But again, Julian, our "bug guy" :), was incredibly helpful and forthcoming. We could not have found a better guy to take care of our situation! He almost took it as a personal insult, that some bugs had still survived :) - so when he came around the 3rd time, he took his time and gave the entire flat another thorough treatment - until he sweat like he had just run a marathon ;)
This guy might be young - but he sure knows his stuff!! Thank you again, Julian!
It's been more than 3 months now since that last treatment and we haven't had any recurring issues.
Pest Control vs. DIY?
Sure, it takes quite a bit of your time to get the Pest Control in and prep the apartment and then basically living out of plastic bags for about a month (longest month of my life!!) - but believe me when I say this: It could have been a lot worse! When trying to do it yourself, you end up spending a lot more money and time and, especially, nerves on this than when getting in a professional! And you will need those nerves, believe me! They will be weakened by a lack of sleep and constant itchiness already anyhow!