Treatment FAQ

how to get house ready for bed bug treatment

by Carol Boyle Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Move as few items as possible and have them checked for bedbugs (or heat them) before removing them. Wash all sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and other bedding in hot water. Place the items in a dryer set on the highest setting that won't damage the items. Dry the items thoroughly and then place them in trash bags.Jun 1, 2018

What should be removed from house before bed bug heat treatment?

Remove plastic wrapping from box springs, mattresses, and other furniture. Place in trash bags and throw out in the trash. Box springs and mattresses can be encased with approved bed bug encasements during the heat treatment. waterbed is not drained.

How do I clean my house after bed bug treatment?

Throw out infested items that are not off much use. For this discarded infested furniture, make sure to spray with “bed bug-infested,” so no one picks it up. After vacuuming, clean the vacuum with hot soapy water and securely dispose of the vacuum bag.

Do I have to take all clothes out of house for heat treatment for bedbugs?

All boxes and other stored items must be removed from closet and placed in center of room. Excessive clutter and stored/boxed items restricts equipment placement, air movement and heat penetration and many times causes treatment failure.

What do I do with my shoes for bed bug treatment?

Keep your shoes inside boxes or bags.

Bed bugs can not get through sealed covers. So cover up your shoes inside plastic boxes or bags and conceal any potential entrances. Even if somehow they reach inside by latching on to your shoe, they would die (although it takes time) due to lack of oxygen and food.
Jan 19, 2020

Should you vacuum after bed bug treatment?

Cleaning after bed bug treatment is crucial. You have to vacuum and clean thoroughly to get rid of all the dead bed bugs, but you're not supposed to do this straight away. And on top of that, laundering clothes and bedsheets—all of them—is highly recommended too.

Can I sleep in my bed after bed bug treatment?

You may continue to sleep in your bed after treatment. Encasements should be put on mattresses and box springs. Any surviving bed bugs in the mattress or box spring will not be able to escape the encasement or bite.Jun 15, 2013

Can bed bugs come back after heat treatment?

Yes, bed bugs can come back after a year.

If you used a DIY treatment that didn't eliminate all the bed bugs in the colony, then there's always the chance that they'll remain in hiding until they've reproduced.
Feb 15, 2014

How do you tell if bedbugs are in your clothes?

Signs of Infestation
  1. Blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases.
  2. Dark or rusty spots of bedbug excrement on sheets and mattresses, bed clothes, and walls.
  3. Bedbug fecal spots, egg shells, or shed skins in areas where bedbugs hide.
  4. An offensive, musty odor from the bugs' scent glands.
Nov 11, 2020

Will heat treatment for bed bugs damage my home?

Heat treatment is a very safe option. Unlike fumigating with pesticides, you don't have to worry about removing most of your belongings from the house before treatment. The heat itself will not damage your home or belongings.Aug 13, 2021

Do bed bugs go in closets?

Bed bugs will often live in your closet. So if you're battling a bed bug infestation in your home, it is important to properly pack up and treat all the items in your closet. You'll want to pack all your clothing and items into sealable containers, either plastic bags or plastic boxes.Jan 20, 2012

Do I need to wash hanging clothes for bed bugs?

Q: Do I have to wash and dry all the fabrics in my entire house? A: No. Bed bugs tend to hide as close to the bed as possible, so only launder the fabrics in the immediate area – your bedding, and clothing in dressers near the bed. Hanging clothes in closets can usually be left there, but wash anything on the floor.

Do bed bugs stay in your clothes?

hand furniture, electronics, clothing and other items can harbor bed bugs. Don't bring in furniture and mattresses from the street. It is more and more likely that these items will be infested with bed bugs. You can wash clothing and stuffed animals and then dry them on 'high' for 30 minutes.

What to do if you have bed bugs?

Ensure all bed bugs, larvae, and eggs are removed from the bed, frame and headboard. Place bed-bug-proof covers (often called encasements) or liners on your mattress and boxspring (available in home stores or online).

How to kill bed bugs in a house?

Clean All Items Within a Bed-Bug-Infested Living Area. Heat treat clothing, bedding, and other items that can withstand a hot dryer (household dryer at high heat for 30 minutes), which will kill bed bugs and eggs. Washing alone might not do the job.

How to prevent bed bugs from getting behind the plates?

Check electrical outlets and wall switches for evidence of bed bugs. Clean if needed. Tape or caulk the rims to prevent bed bugs from getting behind the plates.

How to get rid of bed bugs on furniture?

Look for bed bugs, eggs, and other bed bug evidence (e.g., shed skins, hatched eggs) on furniture and remove--this will also help in evaluating treatment success. Seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag. Place in trash outside.

How to get rid of a bug in a plastic bag?

Place trash or other infested items directly into plastic trash bags. When full, immediately carry the bags to an outside bin. Get rid of excess magazines and newspapers. Keep clothing off the floor. Eliminate all cardboard boxes (the bugs can hide in the cardboard).

How long should you use interceptors?

Plan to use the interceptors for at least a year - they will be important to your post-control monitoring efforts.

Can bed bugs be in the box spring?

Any bed bugs trapped inside will eventually starve to death, and other bed bugs won't be able to hide in the bed or box spring. Make sure all bedding is tucked under mattress and does not touch the floor. Place bed bug interceptors under each leg of the bed (available in home stores or online).

How to Prepare for Bed Bug Treatment

Treatment day is looming so your natural reaction might be to move some of your belongings to another location while your home undergoes a clean sweep. However, you might be unknowingly spreading bed bugs in your clothing, shoes, luggage, or boxes.

Preparing for Bed Bug Heat Treatment

Many pest extermination companies use heat treatment to effectively destroy bed bug infestations in a home. Non-heat sensitive items can be left in the home to undergo treatment, but other items must be removed:

How long after bed bug treatment can you return home?

How Long After a Bed Bug Treatment Until You Can Return Home? It is recommended to wait 4-6 hours after the treatment for bed bugs is complete before returning home. This is especially important if any chemical pesticides were used in getting rid of the bed bugs as these need to dry completely .

What to expect after bed bug treatment?

Here are some things to expect after a bed bug treatment: Beds & box springs may be covered in bed encasements. if so, DO NOT remove them for any reason. Following service remove bed dust ruffles (if present), keep sheets tucked in and do not hang clothing over headboards or foot boards.

How long to vacate a house during pest control?

Be prepared to vacate the dwelling during service for 4 or more hours from the time that the pest control company arrives. Unlock all doors in the unit being serviced so all areas are accessible for service. DO NOT strip linens from beds. DO NOT move beds or other furniture.

Can you sleep in your bed after bed bug treatment?

Can You Sleep In Your Bed After a Bed Bug Treatment? The simple answer is, yes! If any bed bugs survive then they will be trapped in the mattress encasement. The encasement will prevent them from biting you .

Do bed bug removal companies leave information sheets?

The bed bug removal company may have left an information sheet for you after the service. If so, it will contain important information necessary to eliminate bed bugs. You will be notified of any additional cooperation needed for future services. If baseboard heating is present, it may be utilized during service.

Can you wash bagged items after bed bug removal?

The bed bug removal company may have left an information sheet for you after the service.

Can you remove insect traps from bed frame legs?

Bed frame legs and other furniture legs may have plastic insect traps under them. DO NOT remove or move these devices. Items you own may be sealed in trash bags that must be laundered in hot water cycle and/or placed in a dryer on high heat. It is recommended to wash any bagged items as soon as possible.

Why are bed bugs not treated?

This is because bed bugs can live in the tiniest of places, so an unprepared area could serve as a hidden and impenetrable harborage during the treatment.

What can be used to place items during treatment?

The bathtub, kitchen counters, dining room tables, and coffee tables can be used to place items during treatment.

Can you put box springs in plastic bags?

If any mattresses, box springs, or other furniture are in poor or ripped condition and infested, they should be placed in large plastic storage bags (available from moving or storage stores), then removed from your home and discarded. It is important to realize, also, that the PCO may need to remove the backing from box springs to treat inside it and eliminate all potential harborage areas.

Do bed bugs need a PCO?

In almost all cases, you will need to contact a professional pest control operator (PCO) for service.

How to get rid of bed bugs in your house?

Vacuum and wash all floors and other surfaces. This will eliminate a significant amount of the present bed bugs on those surfaces. Remember to put the vacuum bags in sealed plastic bags before throwing them away – the fact that you’re getting rid of your bed bugs doesn’t mean that others should be infected in your place.

How to make sure you don't get bed bugs?

The name of the game from this point on is “Prevention”. Using protective mattress and couch encasements is a great way to make sure that there will never again be bed bugs living inside of them. Even more important, however, is to make sure that you don’t bring any bed bugs from outside your home – always make sure to check the places you’re staying in (hotels, motels, etc.) for bed bugs, and also remember to check and treat your luggage every time you get back home from traveling. After all, bed bugs don’t just manifest themselves out of thin air and unlike a lot of other pests, they rarely enter our homes on their own. So, to make sure that you don’t have any bed bug troubles in the future, make sure that you don’t bring them yourself.

How to clean bed bugs?

Wash all beddings in hot water – sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and so on. When you place them in the dryer use the highest possible setting that wouldn’t hurt the fabric itself. Both adult bed bugs and bed bug eggs die at temperatures of 54.8°C (130°F) so this is a good way to clean your bedding and clothing. All clothes that can’t be laundered or dried such as jackets, coats, and so on, should be brought to dry cleaning. After you get them from the dry cleaners inspect the clothes carefully. Place all treated fabrics plastic bags and separate them from the rest of your belongings as well.

How to make inspections easier?

Make sure that your floors, walls, ceilings, closets, and the areas around your furniture are all easily accessible . This will make the inspection of these places easier and more effective, and it will also make their treatment more effective and efficient as well.

How to treat a syphilis infection?

Treat any items that you’ve identified as infected separately by whichever method you prefer – chemically, at -18.0°C (0.00°F) temperatures in a freezer for several days, or through heat. Things such as toys, shoes, books, picture frames, electronics (with no LCD screens), etc., can all be subjected to a cold treatment without being harmed. Once you’ve treated a specific item, put them in air-tight sealed back to make sure that they don’t get infected again and separate them from the rest of your belongings.

What happens if you don't prepare your home for bed bug treatments?

If you do not prepare your home for bed bug treatments when required, the technicians that come to service your home will likely not do these things for you. This can result in mishandling of materials which could spread bed bugs throughout your home or destroy your bedding and belongings. Something as simple as flinging comforters ...

Why do companies require you to prep a room before bed bug treatment?

If a company requires you to prep a room before bed bug treatments, it could be because they simply don’t know how to provide service the most efficient way. Increased profits. The less work that the technicians have to do, the less time they need to spend at your home. Getting you to prepare the room for treatment is one less thing they don’t have ...

What happens when a pest control company leaves bed bug service preparation in the hands of the client?

When a pest control company leaves bed bug service preparation in the hands of the client, a multitude of things can go wrong. Even when you diligently follow every step of the checklist that the pest control company provides, it’s incredibly easy for you to unknowingly make the situation much worse. It’s only natural that you will make some mistakes. Is it realistic that you are expected to thoroughly inspect the crevices in your couch, your kids’ toys, and electronics for bed bugs without being a bed bug specialist yourself? Something that’s simple for a pest control technician to do such as encase your mattress can be challenging for someone who is attempting to follow instructions and seeing a mattress encasement for the first time. This step is incredibly important to successful bed bug elimination because encasements create a barrier against new bed bugs. If this step goes even a little bit wrong, it may significantly impact the efficiency of the service.

Why do bed bugs bounce back?

In cases like this, companies put their clients through bounce back due to spreading the bugs from do to excessive prep work (or lack of training), not because they are willingly trying to deceive the client.

How effective is heat treatment for bed bugs?

While heat treatments can be relatively effective in eliminating bed bugs from your home, we believe the drawbacks in many circumstances outweigh the benefits. Heat treatments can be construed as no-prep with the promise of leaving your belongings in place and positioned as a “safe” method. In reality, heat treatments are more of a “low-prep” option. A lot of these companies tell you that you don’t need to do anything before treatment, but then require you to “remove firearms, ammunition, medication, deodorant, hairspray, spray paint, paint thinners, candles, lip balm, make-up or thing things prone to melting,” as specifically indicated by a local pest control company referring to heat treatment prep. Some heating can break the sealing around windows can be destroyed which don’t show up until several years later. Companies specializing in heat treatments for bed bugs also typically say that your electronics will be safe from damage even though most everything else will not. This is because a room has to be 117-122 degrees Fahrenheit to kill off bed bugs. These companies claim the benefit of heat treatments with what they call “no-prep,” are a one and done solution and many not offer a guarantee after the service is provided. So it is very important to ask the company that is providing a bed bug heat treatment what their guarantee covers and how long the service is guaranteed.

Why is encasement important for bed bugs?

This step is incredibly important to successful bed bug elimination because encasements create a barrier against new bed bugs. If this step goes even a little bit wrong, it may significantly impact the efficiency of the service. Most importantly by moving around items in the room you can disturb the bed bugs making the bed bug removal more ...

How to clean a room in a hotel?

The Preparation (Prep) Method: 1 Lift mattresses and box springs out of the bed frame and stand them up against a wall. 2 Empty all closets and dressers. 3 Wash and dry all clothing within the room on high heat. 4 Bag all personal items that cannot be laundered. 5 Empty all luggage and travel bags into untied bags. 6 Remove all sofa, chair, and other upholstered furniture cushions and accessories. 7 Remove all sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and other bed coverings from the mattress and box spring and dry for at least 50 minutes on high heat. 8 Thoroughly vacuum your mattress, box spring, inside of dresser drawers, all carpeting throughout your entire home, floors, area rugs, sofas, futons, recliners, upholstered furniture, and physical bugs you may see. 9 Remove and dry all curtains and window dressings on high heat. 10 Inspect items that cannot be washed such as books, electronics, picture frames, and plastic toys. Place them into plastic bags only if you do not find bed bugs on these items. 11 Reduce clutter under your bed and around the room. 12 Encase your mattress using specialized mattress encasements.

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