Bed Bug Barrier vs Rentokil Treatment: What’s Easier, Cheaper , Quicker

Last Updated on 29/07/2025 by Tony Abrahams

Bed Bug Barrier vs Rentokil Pest Control – Getting rid of these pests is a process that needs to begin the moment you notice their presence, as they can cause a slew of problems from bites to psychological issues, but it’s not always easy to figure out what the right treatment for your home will be. One popular choice that people use to get rid of bugs is Rentokil Pest Control, but how does it compare to the DIY pest control of using a brand such as Bed Bug Barrier?

We’ve put together this blog to properly compare these two options, so if you see signs of bugs in your dwelling, you can pick the option that’s best for you.

Bed Bug Barrier vs Rentokil Pest Control: Effectiveness

When looking for the best bed bug treatment, the key factor should always be how effective said treatment is. In some cases, pest control is a costly and time-consuming experience, so you need to make the choice that will actually make the difference.

Rentokil – Effectiveness:

Many people naturally believe that pesticides are the best bed bug killers that you can use, but this is becoming less and less true by the day. While it is true that the best bed bug spray can effectively kill creepy critters when they come into direct contact with it, it’s actually quite common that pesticide procedures don’t actually catch all of them.

When bedbugs hide under carpets, floorboards, or inside bed bases, they may well be missed by sprays, meaning that the problem hasn’t truly been dealt with. Another development in our collective understanding of pesticides is that some bedbugs have started to adapt to them, meaning that the process could be an act of futility.

Bed Bug Barrier – Effectiveness:

Bed Bug Barrier is a DIY system in which one facet uses a specially made powder designed to kill bed bugs without the use of any poisons, which might sound counterintuitive, but is in fact highly effective. Because they haven’t been over-exposed to the killing powder, you can be confident that it will be highly effective every time.

Other aspects of the Bed Bug Barrier treatment plan are the practical, non-chemical solutions that are on offer. They include the namesake Bed Bug Barrier itself, a plastic obstacle to stop them from making their way up the legs of beds, a steamer, and mattress covers to seal and starve the bugs. These methods are all fairly effective on their own but used in combination with each other and the powder, they should make for a fairly comprehensive treatment.

Bed Bug Barrier vs Rentokil — one lets you sleep tonight, the other makes you wait.

Bed Bug Barrier vs Rentokil: Cost

When it comes to cost, Bed Bug Barrier vs Rentokil isn’t even close.

Along with efficacy, you need to consider how much treating your bed bugs is going to set you back financially. A good night of sleep and peace of mind in your home is priceless, but not everyone has the funds to treat money as no object when dealing with a bed bug infestation.

Rentokil – Cost:

If you go for Rentokil Pest Control to deal with your bed bugs, you’re going to have to fork over some serious change. Their bed bug treatment plan costs around $660 for just one bedroom, which is no small cost, regardless of your income level. Considering that pesticides aren’t a sure thing, this could end up costing you a lot without offering the results that you need.

Bed Bug Barrier – Cost:

On the other hand, Bed Bug Barrier’s options for treatment are relatively affordable, whether you use one method or a few in conjunction with each other. If you feel that your infestation is isolated to a mattress, a Mattress Cover will only set you back $42, which is a small price to pay for a good night’s sleep!

For an ensemble with a wider infestation, you’ll have to purchase two mattress covers, the Bed Bug Killer Powder, and the bed leg barriers, however, this will still only cost $150. With slatted beds, the leg barriers, mattress cover, powder, steamer, and duster will be needed, with the total cost coming to just $190, less than a third of Rentokil treatment.

Bed Bug Barrier vs Rentokil: Time & Effort

Getting rid of bedbugs shouldn’t be an imposition on your daily life. Of course, the process can take some time, but ideally, you want to be able to enjoy the comfort of your bed in as little time as possible.

Rentokil – Time & Effort:

Rentokil lays out all of the preparations that you need to make prior to their visits, and the list is fairly extensive.

The preparations include:

• Removing and washing all linen, curtains, and clothing on very high heat, followed by thorough drying in a hot air clothes drier or treated in their own Entotherm Head Pod.
• Removing all loose articles from the floor.
• All beds or possible dwellings for the bugs should be taken apart for the best possible treatment.
• Emptying all wardrobes, drawers, and similar units, then washing and drying the contents in the same fashion as in the first bullet point.
• Vacating the premises with your pets.

Completing all of these tasks could take hours to complete, and even longer if you have a busy work schedule. That’s not the end of your work either, as after the treatment is complete, you will have to:

• Return after at least four hours.
• Cover your sleeping area with a non-porous or plastic cover to avoid contact with Rentokil’s pesticides.
• Vacuum up any dead insects or bed bugs between visits (yes, visits plural), then throw away the bags immediately.
• Keep an eye on the room, being vigilant for bed bugs until the process is completely finished.
• After the process is finished, you can’t vacuum the floor or upholstery for another 10-14 days, but any hard floors have to be cleaned regularly.
• Rid your house of any signs of bed bugs, like blood spotting or excrement marks, to ensure you aren’t alerted to a past infestation later.
• Observing for any signs of bugs in the days following.

Oh, and the whole process has to be done twice!

Bed Bug Barrier – Time & Effort:

If the prospect of the arduous Rentokil preparation and treatment process sounds like a nightmare to you, then the Bed Bug Barrier alternative might appeal to you. We estimate that treating a single ensemble with the items described in the previous section shouldn’t take longer than half an hour, while a slatted bed should take around an hour.

Despite Rentokil employing professionals and using much more advanced technology, it seems like a faster, easier process to do it yourself.

Bed Bug Bites in Australia: How to Find, Treat and Prevent Bed Bugs Fast

Bed Bug Barrier vs Rentokil: Safety for Humans & Pets

Finally, we need to consider how the treatment you choose is going to impact your safety at home. If you’re killing bedbugs, logic could indicate that there are going to be some elements at play that could be dangerous to humans, but it’s not entirely that simple.

Rentokil – Safety for Humans:

While Rentokil’s methods aren’t going to be dangerous for your or your pets if you follow their instructions, there are a few more precautions that you’ll have to take after they complete the work. There are a number of health complications associated with exposure to pesticides.

One of which is the aforementioned practice of covering your bed in some sort of plastic sheeting for some time to avoid contact with their pesticides, while you also have to avoid returning to your home for at least 4 hours after their process is complete.

Bed Bug Barrier – Safety for Humans & Pets:

Bed Bug Barrier’s methods for treating bed bugs are as safe for humans as methods can be. For one, we dont use toxic chemicals and we utilise physical barriers, which of course can’t hurt you. Similarly, the powder sold to kill bugs is actually food-grade for humans and pets, without using any poison, so you can easily dwell in a room where it’s been used.

Bed Bug Barrier vs Rentokil: DIY simplicity beats chemical chaos.

We’ve Summarised Our Findings

Effectiveness:

Rentokil: Not always effective due to missed spots and bed bug resistance.

Bed Bug Barrier: 100% effective when used properly

Cost:

Rentokil: $660 to treat one Bedroom.

Bed Bug Barrier: $42-190 depending on your bed style and size.

Time & Effort

Rentokil: Many hours of preparation and work to be done after completion.

Bed Bug Barrier: 30-60 minutes of work.

Safety:

Rentokil: Uses poisons.

Bed Bug Barrier: No poisons used.

If you want fast, safe, and effective, the Bed Bug Barrier vs Rentokil debate ends here.

Conclusion: Bed Bug Barrier System vs Rentokil Treatment

Bed Bug Barrier is more effective, cheaper, easier, and safer than Rentokil.

FAQs: Bed Bug Barrier System vs Rentokil Treatment

1. Can bed bugs become resistant to Rentokil’s chemical treatments?
   Yes. Over time, bed bugs have developed resistance to many common pesticides used by professional pest controllers—including pyrethroids. This means even after a costly spray treatment, some bugs can survive and reproduce. DIY methods like the Isolation Method used by Bed Bug Barrier rely on physical and mechanical means, which bugs can’t adapt to.
2. Do I really have to leave my house during a professional treatment?
   In most cases, yes. Rentokil and similar pest control companies usually require you (and your pets) to vacate the property for at least 4 hours after each treatment. You’ll also need to cover beds with plastic, avoid vacuuming for 10–14 days, and do extensive pre- and post-treatment cleaning. In contrast, Bed Bug Barrier’s DIY system allows you to treat your bed and sleep in it the same night.
3. Is it possible to treat just one bed instead of the whole room?
   Yes, with Bed Bug Barrier. Their Isolation Method is designed to treat only the bed itself by forcing all bugs in the room to cross Diatomaceous Earth traps to reach a host. This targeted approach avoids spraying the entire room and reduces disruption, unlike pest controllers who usually treat the whole space regardless of where the bugs are.

Are You Looking for an Organic DIY Treatment?

Watch Our DIY Treatment Video For An Ensemble Bed

Watch Our DIY Treatment Video For A Bed with Slats

If you have enjoyed our blog, Bed Bug Barrier System vs Rentokil Treatment, then you might like to read How Do I Find Bed Bugs?

Sources: Bed Bug Barrier System vs Rentokil Treatment

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Bed Bug Control Techniques

The U.S. EPA provides an unbiased view on bed bug control, including pesticide resistance and non-chemical alternatives like physical barriers and desiccants (e.g. diatomaceous earth). This supports the science behind your DIY method and powder.

National Pesticide Information Center – Health Risks of Pesticides

This fact sheet explains the health concerns around bed bug pesticide exposure and gives insight into why non-toxic options may be safer, especially for families with children or pets.

Bed Bug Barrier vs Rentokil — one kills with powder, the other kills your weekend plans.