If pests such as bed bugs, fleas, ants, rats, moths, mice, and the like are present in your home and cannot be eliminated using simple methods, you should not experiment on your own—especially not with poisons. In such cases, it is better to call in a professional pest control expert.

Here is some information and advice on what to look out for when hiring and working with a pest control expert:

As a general rule, a professional exterminator protects themselves and will never claim that the products they use are completely harmless and therefore require no safety precautions. They will only work with appropriate protective clothing and, if necessary, respiratory protection. Therefore, ask in advance about the "dangerousness" of the products used.

Long-term treatments offered by pest control operators are not reliable. A reputable pest control operator will only treat as often as necessary.

Reputable professionals can provide relevant qualifications, certificates, and proof of expertise at any time. Feel free to ask for these in advance.

Before the treatment begins, you should sign a written contract with the pest control company. This contract must contain at least the following points:

• The type of infestation with the exact name of the pest and the location of the infestation.

• The control objective, i.e., eradication or reduction of the infestation.

• The agents and preparations used (name, manufacturer, active ingredients, solvents, and additives).

First, your apartment or house will be thoroughly inspected and all rooms will be checked. The type, severity, and spread of the pests will be precisely recorded. To do this, sticky traps or a so-called repellent spray will be used in the infested rooms.

During the subsequent control measures, the spray should not be sprayed indiscriminately around the area, but should be targeted at the breeding sites and hiding places of the pests.

A look in the relevant business directories and on the Internet will help you find a pest control company. You can often visit their website in advance to obtain information. A list of pest control companies in Mainz and the surrounding area is available from the Mainz Environmental Store.