Treatment FAQ

what do i need to do to prepare for the freeze treatment for bed bugs

by Rosalee Bode Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Freezing bed bugs can kill them. However, you have to use a very low temperature (0 degrees F or colder) for at least four days for cold treatment to work. Your freezer may not even be cold enough.

Freezers set to 0°F are effective in killing bed bugs, but the things you are freezing must be left in the freezer for at least 4 days. If you are worried about ensuring that temperatures are low enough, use a remote thermometer and monitor the temperature inside the items you are freezing.

Full Answer

How do you kill bed bugs in a freezer?

Freezers set to 0°F are effective in killing bed bugs, but the things you are freezing must be left in the freezer for at least 4 days. If you are worried about ensuring that temperatures are low enough, use a remote thermometer and monitor the temperature inside the items you are freezing. 0°F must be reached in...

How to prepare for treatment against bed bugs?

Preparing for Treatment Against Bed Bugs 1 Reduce Clutter 2 Make your Bed an Island 3 Clean All Items in the Living Area 4 Eliminate Bed Bug Habitats 5 Additional information

What happens if you freeze bed bugs?

Freezing causes ice to form inside the bed bug, causing injury or death. Freezing bed bugs is easy to do. All it requires is: A freezer that is at or below 00F (-18oC) Time. Some plastic bags to put the items you want to freeze into. A remote thermometer.

What to do if you find bed bugs in Your House?

Move as few items as possible and have them checked for bed bugs (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.

How do you prepare for preventative bed bug treatment?

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.

How long does it take to prepare for bed bug treatment?

1 to 3 daysOn average, most households spend 1 to 3 days preparing for bed bug treatment. On the day of your bed bug treatment, unless specifically instructed to, don't bring any items with you when you vacate the premises. Wear only previously laundered clothing removed from sealed bags.

Can bed bug eggs survive freezing?

Temperatures below minus 15 degrees Celsius are sufficient to control all life stages of bed bugs after 3.5 days, while temperatures below minus 20 degrees Celsius require only 48 hours. They also observed bed bug eggs surviving in short-term exposures to temperatures as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius.

How do I prepare for a bed bug heat treatment?

Place items stored under/on the bed such as shoes, stuffed animals, toys, books, etc. in open weave laundry baskets and leave in the room to be treated. the space between the items is large enough to allow the heated air to circulate. Arrange hanging items to open up air space between them.

How long after bed bug treatment can I put my stuff back?

Keep all mattresses and pillows sealed for a full year after treatment, so any lingering bed bugs die of starvation. Don't enter your home or treated rooms for at least 4-5 hours after treatment.

Do you have to treat the whole house for bed bugs?

If you confirm you have bed bugs in one bedroom of the house, you'll have to treat that entire room, but you won't necessarily need to treat the entire house. Set up traps to monitor other bedrooms and living areas to make sure they stay bug free.

How long does it take to freeze bed bugs to death?

4 daysFreezers set to 0°F are effective in killing bed bugs, but the things you are freezing must be left in the freezer for at least 4 days. If you are worried about ensuring that temperatures are low enough, use a remote thermometer and monitor the temperature inside the items you are freezing.

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.

How long does it take to freeze bed bugs?

3-4 daysIt's actually easy to kill the bugs using cold temperatures. All you need to do is to put the affected item in a plastic bag, and then put the bag in the freezer that's temperature is set to below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-18 C ) for 3-4 days. Most of the small items in your home like shoes, pictures, clothes and etc.

Does bed bug heat treatment ruin electronics?

DON'T move electronics. Our heat treatment will not damage electronics like laptops or televisions. Electronics are especially susceptible to infestation, so it is important these items stay in place.

Can bed bugs survive after heat treatment?

A bed bug will die within an hour or two if it's exposed to temperatures in the 110 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit range. They'll die instantly once the heat increases beyond that.

How long should you heat treat a room for bed bugs?

Bed bugs ex- posed to 113°F will die if they receive constant exposure to that temperature for 90 minutes or more. However, they will die within 20 minutes if exposed to 118°F. Interestingly, bed bug eggs must be exposed to 118°F for 90 minutes to reach 100% mortality.

Can bed bugs live in the cold?

Yes. Bed bugs have a high cold tolerance. They can remain active at temperatures as low as 46 degrees Fahrenheit, and they can survive at even lowe...

Can bed bugs freeze?

Yes. The Journal of Economic Entomology study found that bed bugs freeze when exposed to 3.2 degrees F for 80 hours. It's a function of time and te...

Will freezing bed bugs get rid of them?

Yes. Freezing bed bugs can kill them. However, you have to use a very low temperature (0 degrees F or colder) for at least four days for cold treat...

Is freezing bed bugs the best way to get rid of them?

Yes and no. You can try to freeze bed bugs, but the best way to control bed bugs is through Integrated Pest Management—a combination of prevention,...

How long can you leave bed bugs in the freezer?

Freezers set to 0°F are effective in killing bed bugs, but the things you are freezing must be left in the freezer for at least 4 days.

How long does it take for bed bugs to get to 0°F?

0°F must be reached in the center of the materials being frozen to kill bed bugs. Bulky items require more time. Start counting the 4 day exposure time when the center of the object has reached 0°F. Do not use temperatures above 0°F (-15°C) as eggs and small bed bugs may survive.

Can bed bugs survive in cold weather?

It is unlikely that it will be cold enough for long enough to kill bed bugs. Sunlight, humidity, temperature variations during the day increase the risk that bed bugs will survive. DO NOT attempt to freeze your apartment or house by opening the windows and turning off the heat.

Can freezing kill bed bugs?

Using Freezing Conditions to Kill Bed Bugs (.pdf) Putting infested items in a freezer can kill bed bugs if some particular conditions are met. Freezing causes ice to form inside the bed bug, causing injury or death. Freezing bed bugs is easy to do. All it requires is: There are some things to know to ensure that freezing is effective ...

How to kill bed bugs in a house?

Usually the method is to use dry steam on the areas that you touch, then chemicals in order to kill the bugs in other areas as well as flush the remainder of the bed bugs out to be finished off by more steam. Once this is done, follow the prevention steps to avoid incurring any other infestations.

How to prevent bugs from getting in mattress?

Prevention. The final way that you can prevent the issue of bugs is to use protective pillow cases and mattress covers. These covers will trap and kill any bugs that may have survived the steam cleaning. Most importantly they will keep the bugs from getting to you while you sleep.

Why do bugs travel from place to place in luggage?

It’s important to recognize the signs of possible infestations and to know how to help protect your own home against the infestation.

How to keep bugs out of luggage?

Pack Your Luggage With Care. Use airtight plastic bags to pack your things; this will prevent these parasitic bugs from hitching a ride back. It would also be a good idea to take a large bag to store your luggage in to prevent the bugs from hiding in your luggage pieces.

How to get rid of eggs on a mattress?

Washing your sheets in hot water and using a steam cleaner on your mattress is also a good idea. The heat kills the adults and their eggs as well as sanitizes your mattress.

How do wolves get to your bed?

They are unable to fly, so the only way that they can get to your bed is by one of three ways: climbing the wall to fall onto it from the wall, transferring by clothing dropped on the bed or climbing up the legs to get to the mattress.

Can bugs hide from spray?

The result is that the bugs are unable to hide from the spray and are instantly killed. This eliminates the worry of chemical residues as well as the issues of whether or not the bugs may or may not be able to resist the treatment, given that there are not chemicals found in the spray.

How to get rid of a bed?

Remove ALL bedding from the beds and immediately place in bags and take straight to the laundry for washing and/or drying. Dry on the highest heat possible. Put the laundered items into new garbage bags and completely seal. Do not put back on the beds. Remove picture frames, mirrors, etc from walls.

How long after bed bug treatment can you get rid of birds?

If removing, check for bed bugs. Pets and birds must be removed from the premises and not re-enter for 4-6 hours after treatment. Birds preferably 24 hours after treatment. Fish tanks and pumps must be covered and air filters must be disconnected and covered. Leave electronics in the room for treatment.

What to do if you are unsure of anything on the preparation sheet?

If you are unsure of anything that is on the preparation sheet given to you by the pest control company, then always make sure you talk it over with them so they can fully address your concerns and provide the most effective bed bug treatment.

Do you wash bed frames after bed bug treatment?

You’ll want to do some cleaning after the bed bug treatment, but do not wash the baseboards, door frames, window frames or bed frames for the timeframe specified by the technician. Do not remove any mattress or box spring encasements. These protect from re-infestation and protect you from being bitten.

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.

Do bed bugs need a PCO?

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

What temperature do bed bugs get?

During the heating process, temperatures will be from 120 degrees to 140 degrees. These are lethal temperatures to bed bug populations but not hot enough to damage most things; however, a few items will need to be removed or prepared.

What items should be removed from the treatment area?

The following heat sensitive items should be removed from the treatment area, stored in the refrigerator, or placed in a contractor 3 mil garbage bags: Pressurized cylinders – Spray cans, Fire extinguishers, oxygen bottles, etc. Firearms and ammunition. Paints.

How long do you have to clean carpet after climbing up interceptor?

If purchased by customer, Climb-up Interceptors will be placed on infested beds/furniture. Do not shampoo/steam clean carpets for 30 days after treatment. It is very important to understand, there will be considerable clean up after the treatment is complete.

Can a wheelchair be infested with bed bugs?

Wheelchairs and scooters are often infested by bed bugs . Wheelchairs and scooters need to stay in the home to be treated. Please make arrangements prior to the first treatment to accommodate your transportation needs.

Can bed bugs be in clothing?

Clothing. Bed bugs often seek shelter on and in clothing. To avoid re-introducing bed bugs, any clothing removed during heat treatment must be treated before being returned to the treated area. Loosely packed clothing may remain in dresser drawers and laundry baskets to avoid clutter on floor in small rooms.

Do you have to remove boxes from under bed?

All boxes and items stored under bed must be removed. If container under bed is packed tight with belongings, the items will be removed from the container during the heat treatment to ensure heat penetrates every item. If there are sentimental, irreplaceable items stored under bed and/or items that may be damaged by extreme temperatures, ...

Can TPS remove plastic wrapping from bed?

TPS will remove linens from bed. Do not remove plastic wrapping from box springs, mattresses, and other furniture. If client chooses to dispose of heavily-infested mattresses and furniture, care must be taken to avoid spreading infestation to unaffected areas by encasing infested items.

What Can Be Frozen?

  • Most dry household items can be frozen, including: 1. Cloth items that you cannot (or do not want to) wash or launder 2. Modern books 3. Shoes 4. Jewelry 5. Pictures 6. Toys 7. Electronics without an LCD screen
See more on bedbugs.umn.edu

What Should I Not Freeze?

  • There are a few items that require caution when attempting to freeze or that should not be frozen. Do not freeze: 1. Electronics with LCD panels 2. Historic artifacts or old books of considerable value 3. Items that cannot be replaced 4. Items that may be damaged if condensation occurs 5. Items that contain high moisture or liquids inside You should talk to a Pest Management Profes…
See more on bedbugs.umn.edu

What Temperatures Are Required?

  1. The temperature of your freezer is very important. The lower the temperature, the less time needed to kill bed bugs.
  2. Freezers set to 0°F are effective in killing bed bugs, but the things you are freezing must be left in the freezer for at least 4 days.
  3. If you are worried about ensuring that temperatures are low enough, use a remote thermome…
  1. The temperature of your freezer is very important. The lower the temperature, the less time needed to kill bed bugs.
  2. Freezers set to 0°F are effective in killing bed bugs, but the things you are freezing must be left in the freezer for at least 4 days.
  3. If you are worried about ensuring that temperatures are low enough, use a remote thermometer and monitor the temperature inside the items you are freezing.
  4. 0°F must be reached in the center of the materials being frozen to kill bed bugs. Bulky items require more time. Start counting the 4 day exposure time when the center of the object has reached 0°F.

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