Before you spend money on treatment, it helps to know if the problem really is bed bugs and how far it has spread. A professional inspection answers both questions, and for Martinez rental properties it produces the written findings that California law says landlords must share.
Signs It Is Time to Book
- New bites show up after sleeping, night after night.
- You see little dark smudges on sheets or the mattress edge.
- A flat brown bug or a pale shell turned up near the bed.
- You came home from a long trip and now have itchy welts.
- An antique or used piece of furniture recently came into the house.
Places the Technician Checks
The search centers on spots within a few feet of where people sleep or sit: mattress seams and labels, box springs, bed frames and headboards, nightstand drawers, couch cushions, recliners, baseboards, outlet covers and the folds of curtains. Older wood furniture gets extra attention at its joints.
How the Visit Goes
- Questions firstWhen the bites began, who sleeps where, and any recent trips, visitors or furniture.
- Room by roomBedrooms come first, followed by living areas and any spare room.
- Evidence shownAny bugs, eggs, skins or spots are pointed out to you, and often photographed.
- Written summaryA report of the rooms involved and the treatment options.
Martinez Landlords and Tenants
AB 551 requires a landlord to give affected tenants a licensed operator's inspection findings within 2 business days. With roughly 3 in 10 homes in 94553 rented, many Martinez calls involve a tenant, an owner and sometimes the unit next door.
Getting Ready
- Leave the bed made as it is so the signs are still there.
- Do not spray anything before the technician arrives.
- Move boxes and clutter away from beds and seating.
Questions About Inspections
Could the bites be from something else?
Yes. Fleas, mosquitoes and even skin reactions can look similar. That is why the technician searches for the bugs themselves and the traces they leave behind.
The inspection found nothing, but I still get bites. Now what?
A detection dog, or a repeat visit about 2 weeks later, is the next step to consider. A brand new infestation can be too small to spot by eye.
How your call is handled: Bed Bug Control CA is a free referral service. When you call or send the form, you are connected with an independent, licensed pest control company that serves Martinez. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.