Pest guide
Preparing for bed bug treatment
Preparation decides how well bed bug treatment works. Always follow your provider’s specific instructions first. This checklist covers the usual steps.
General preparation
- Strip beds and wash and dry bedding on the hottest settings the fabric allows.
- Bag laundered items in clean, sealed bags and keep them out of treated rooms until advised.
- Reduce clutter around beds and seating so technicians can reach every spot.
- Pull furniture a short distance from walls.
- Don’t move items to other rooms without bagging them; that spreads bugs.
- Don’t use foggers or bug bombs; they scatter bed bugs.
Heat treatment notes
Heat-sensitive items such as medications, candles, aerosols, some plastics and instruments usually need to be removed or protected. Your provider will give a specific list.
Apartments and shared housing
Tell management promptly. Neighboring units may need inspection too, because bed bugs move between units.