Professional Pest Control in Western Switzerland
Pest infestations are a serious problem for both households and businesses. Whether you are dealing with bed bugs in a hotel, cockroaches in a restaurant kitchen, rodents in a warehouse or a wasps' nest in your attic, rapid and professional intervention is essential. Delaying treatment invariably allows infestations to spread, making eradication more complex and costly.
SOS Nettoyage offers a complete range of pest control and extermination services throughout Western Switzerland. Our licensed technicians use proven, safe and effective methods to eliminate all types of pests. We intervene in residential properties, hotels, restaurants, offices, food production facilities and industrial sites. Contact us for a free, no-obligation quote with rapid response times.
Bed Bugs: Detection and Elimination
Detection
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are among the most challenging pests to eradicate. These small, flat insects feed on human blood at night and hide in mattress seams, bed frames, skirting boards, electrical outlets and behind wallpaper. An infestation can escalate rapidly: a single female lays up to 5 eggs per day.
Detection requires a meticulous inspection of the premises. Our technicians examine:
- Mattresses and box springs: seams, edges, buttons, labels
- Bed frames and headboards: joints, screws, cracks
- Furniture: drawers, undersides, back panels
- Walls and floors: skirting boards, electrical sockets, picture frames
- Signs of activity: dark faecal spots, shed skins, blood stains, live insects
We also use trained detection dogs for large properties (hotels, student residences) where a room-by-room visual inspection would be impractical.
Thermal Treatment
Heat treatment is the most effective method for eliminating bed bugs, including their eggs, which are resistant to many insecticides. The entire room is heated to a lethal temperature of 55–60°C for several hours. The heat penetrates into furniture, mattresses, walls and all hiding places.
Advantages of thermal treatment:
- Kills all life stages: eggs, larvae, nymphs and adults in a single treatment
- No chemical residue: safe for occupants and the environment
- Single intervention: the room can be reoccupied the same day
- Reaches inaccessible areas that sprays cannot penetrate
- No resistance: insects cannot develop resistance to heat
Chemical Treatment
In cases where thermal treatment is not feasible (large buildings, presence of heat-sensitive equipment), we apply authorised insecticides in combination with insect growth regulators (IGR). The treatment involves:
- Residual spray application on all hiding places and travel routes
- Dust application in voids, sockets and wall cavities
- A follow-up visit 2–3 weeks later to treat newly hatched nymphs
- Full documentation of products used and treated areas
Cockroach Extermination
Cockroaches are among the most resilient urban pests. They contaminate food, spread bacteria (Salmonella, E. coli) and trigger allergies and asthma. The two most common species in Western Switzerland are the German cockroach (Blattella germanica), which infests kitchens and restaurants, and the Oriental cockroach (Blatta orientalis), found in basements and sewers.
Our cockroach treatment protocol includes:
- Gel bait application: highly attractive insecticidal gels placed in harborage areas (under appliances, in cupboard hinges, around plumbing)
- Residual spray treatment: on surfaces where cockroaches travel
- Insect growth regulators: prevent larvae from reaching reproductive maturity
- Monitoring stations: sticky traps to evaluate population levels
- Sanitation recommendations: addressing the conditions that favour infestation
For food service establishments, we use food-safe products and follow protocols compatible with HACCP requirements. Treatments are carried out outside service hours to minimise disruption.
Wasps, Hornets and Ants
Wasps and Hornets
Wasps and hornets can pose a genuine medical risk, particularly to individuals allergic to their venom. Nests installed in attics, walls, garden sheds or underground locations must be treated by a professional. Our technicians wear full protective equipment and apply insecticide directly into the nest entrance, ensuring complete colony elimination.
We treat all species common to Western Switzerland:
- Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) and German wasp (Vespula germanica): the most frequent
- European hornet (Vespa crabro): larger, more aggressive, protected in some cantons
- Asian hornet (Vespa velutina): invasive species requiring mandatory reporting
Ants
Ant infestations in buildings are often underestimated. Carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) can damage wooden structures, while pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis) are a serious problem in hospitals and food facilities due to their ability to carry pathogens. Our treatment uses:
- Slow-acting gel baits that workers carry back to the colony, eliminating the queen
- Perimeter spray treatment around building foundations
- Crack and crevice treatment at entry points
Rats and Mice
Rodents (rats and mice) are a major vector of disease and cause significant material damage by gnawing electrical cables, insulation and structural elements. A rodent infestation requires prompt and systematic intervention.
Our rodent control programme includes:
- Inspection and mapping: identifying runways, burrow entrances, feeding sites and entry points
- Tamper-resistant bait stations: placed strategically along runways, safe for children and non-target animals
- Snap traps and live traps: used in food production areas where rodenticides are restricted
- Proofing recommendations: sealing gaps, reinforcing doors, managing waste storage
- Regular monitoring visits: checking bait consumption, adjusting station placement, removing dead rodents
For food industry clients, we provide full documentation of all bait stations and monitoring visits to satisfy food safety auditors.
Other Pests
Moths and Fleas
Clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella) damage woollen textiles, fur and natural fibres. Food moths (Plodia interpunctella) infest stored dry goods. Both require targeted treatment combining pheromone traps, insecticidal spray and proofing advice.
Fleas infest homes with pets but can also survive without animal hosts for months. Treatment involves insecticidal spray on all floor surfaces and soft furnishings, combined with an insect growth regulator to prevent egg hatching.
Pigeons and Urban Birds
Urban pigeon colonies on buildings cause damage through corrosive droppings, block drainage systems and create hygiene risks. We offer physical deterrent solutions:
- Anti-perching spikes on ledges, parapets and air conditioning units
- Tensioned wire systems for façades and balconies
- Net exclusion for enclosed spaces (car parks, warehouses, courtyards)
- Bird gel repellents for listed buildings where spikes are not permitted
Our 6-Step Intervention Method
- Initial inspection: thorough assessment of the premises to identify the pest species, infestation level, entry points and environmental factors contributing to the problem
- Customised treatment plan: selection of the most appropriate methods (thermal, chemical, mechanical) based on the pest, the premises and the occupants' constraints
- Preparation guidance: clear instructions provided to the client to prepare the premises (clearing areas, protecting sensitive items, vacating rooms if necessary)
- Treatment execution: professional intervention by licensed technicians using approved products and equipment; full PPE worn throughout
- Follow-up inspection: return visit (1–3 weeks later depending on the pest) to assess treatment effectiveness, treat any surviving individuals and evaluate control success
- Prevention report: written report detailing the treatment carried out, products used, results observed and recommendations to prevent reinfestation
Pest Control Prices in Western Switzerland
| Service | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Bed bug inspection | 80 – 120 CHF |
| Bed bug thermal treatment (studio/1 room) | 400 – 600 CHF |
| Bed bug chemical treatment (per room) | 200 – 350 CHF |
| Cockroach treatment (apartment) | 150 – 300 CHF |
| Wasp/hornet nest removal | 120 – 200 CHF |
| Rodent control (installation + 2 visits) | 250 – 450 CHF |
| Flea treatment (apartment) | 150 – 250 CHF |
| Pigeon deterrent installation (per linear metre) | On request |
| Annual maintenance contract | On request |
Prices vary depending on the surface area, the type and severity of infestation, accessibility of the premises and the number of follow-up visits required. SOS Nettoyage provides a free, detailed quote after an initial inspection. No hidden fees.
Why Choose SOS Nettoyage for Pest Control
- Licensed and certified technicians: all our pest control operators hold the required Swiss authorisations for biocide use
- Rapid intervention: same-day or next-day appointments available for urgent situations
- Discreet service: unmarked vehicles available; confidentiality guaranteed for hotels, restaurants and businesses
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): we prioritise non-chemical methods and use insecticides only when necessary, in the minimum effective dose
- HACCP-compatible protocols: our food industry treatments comply with food safety standards
- Full documentation: treatment reports, product data sheets and intervention certificates provided
- Guarantee: follow-up visits included; we return until the problem is resolved
Also discover our building maintenance and concierge, end of lease cleaning and office cleaning services.
Service Areas
SOS Nettoyage provides pest control services throughout Western Switzerland:
- Geneva: city centre, suburbs, Carouge, Meyrin, Lancy, Onex, Vernier, Thônex
- Vaud: Lausanne, Nyon, Morges, Renens, Yverdon-les-Bains, Montreux, Vevey
- Valais: Sion, Martigny, Monthey, Sierre, Visp
- Fribourg: Fribourg, Bulle, Romont, Murten
- Neuchâtel: Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle
- Jura: Delémont, Porrentruy, Saignelégier
Frequently Asked Questions about Pest Control
Can bed bugs come back after treatment?
A properly conducted treatment should eliminate the entire infestation. However, reinfestation is possible if bed bugs are reintroduced via luggage, second-hand furniture or neighbouring apartments. Thermal treatment achieves the highest single-intervention success rate as it kills all life stages including eggs. For chemical treatments, a follow-up visit 2–3 weeks after the initial intervention is essential to treat any newly hatched nymphs. SOS Nettoyage includes follow-up visits in all bed bug treatment packages and will return free of charge if live insects are found within 4 weeks of treatment.
Are the products used safe for children and pets?
All insecticides and rodenticides used by SOS Nettoyage are authorised under Swiss biocide legislation and applied by licensed technicians at concentrations that pose no risk to humans or pets when the recommended re-entry periods are observed. We provide clear instructions on when the treated areas can be safely reoccupied. For clients with specific sensitivities (infants, pregnant women, severe allergies), we always discuss the treatment options and prefer non-chemical methods where feasible (heat treatment for bed bugs, mechanical traps for rodents).
How do you treat cockroaches in a restaurant without closing?
Cockroach gel bait treatment is the preferred method for food service establishments as it requires no vacating of the premises and leaves no surface residue. Gel is applied in very small quantities directly in harborage areas (inside hinges, under appliances, behind panels) and is out of reach of food contact surfaces. Treatments are typically performed at the end of the evening service. We use only products with food safety authorisation and provide documentation for your HACCP records. A monitoring visit is scheduled 2–3 weeks later to verify the outcome.
How long does a pest control treatment take?
Duration varies considerably by pest type and premises size. A wasp nest removal takes 30–60 minutes. A cockroach gel bait treatment in a restaurant kitchen takes 1–2 hours. A bed bug heat treatment for a single room takes 6–8 hours (including heating, hold time and cooling). A full rodent control inspection and bait station installation for a warehouse takes 2–4 hours. SOS Nettoyage provides a precise time estimate when booking, so you can plan accordingly.