Heat Treatment Preparation

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Steps you can take to prepare your home for bed bug heat treatment

Get rid of clutter. Vacuum carpets, floors, bed frames, furniture and cracks. Seal cracks and crevices with caulk,

It is not necessary to get rid of furniture or bedding. Box springs should only be discarded if they are heavily infested. Place securely in plastic bags any items to be thrown away. Label with a sign that says “infested with bed bugs.”

* Do not use cardboard as a container for heat sensitive items, instead crates, bins or grocery bags are ideal.

* Air flow is critical to this process, over-packed closets and rooms may not be able to be treated properly!

Things to do before your bed bug heat treatment

Do not use any pesticide bombs, foggers, sprays, dusts prior to heat treatment. Repellent insecticides severely diminish the effectiveness of the treatment effort by driving bed bugs in to hard to treat areas such as under carpet pads and wall voids
Do not remove any thing from treatment area except for items in sealed garbage to be permanently removed.
Furniture and clutter must be pulled away from walls at least 6 inches.
Unplug all electronics except major appliances.
Any items (clothing, shoes, bags, valuables) taken out with occupant on day off heat treatment must be thoroughly inspected and/or sanitized before being reintroduced to treated area.
Permanently dispose of all trash and unwanted items before treatment. Completely remove litter boxes from the treatment area if present
Vacuum or sweep up dust/pet hair as they are hazardous to our equipment and personnel. Improperly secured pictures and posters that may blow down should be taken down and laid flat.
Take down, disinfect and remove vinyl or faux wood blinds have a low heat tolerance.
High power fans are used during this process; loose papers should be secured or weighted down.
Remove all pets and house plants (including fish aquariums).
Remove fresh, meltable, and or perishable food
Remove or place prescription / over the counter drugs or vitamins in the refrigerator
Remove cosmetics
Remove candles
Remove all pressurized items – lighters, hairspray, fire extinguishers etc.
Remove all flammables – fuel, alcohols, solvents, etc.
Remove wooden and stringed instruments – cases should remain in the treatment
Family heirlooms and irreplaceable items should be inspected and a determination made as to whether they should remain in the treatment area

Remove heat sensitive items

Leave everything else behind

Clothing

Bed bugs will often seek shelter within or under piles of clothing. Piles of clothing should be either hung up on hangers or spread out before the heat treatment commences.
Wash bedding and washable excess clutter on high heat followed with a high heat dry cycle. After drying, remove and immediately place the clothing in a heavy duty garbage bag and seal the bag by twisting the excess bag and wrapping the twist with tape. Think "Loaf of Bread"
Open all drawers and unpack any overly packed areas. Remember... Air flow is key!
Large blankets and comforters can be draped over interior doors to limit bed bug harborage and improve effectiveness.