heat treatment for bed bugs
​preparation

HEATING INSTRUCTIONS

GUIDE TO PREPARING FOR HEAT TREATMENT
BEFORE the bed bug heating equipment arrives at your home or other location, you should prepare the treatment area as shown below or as discussed via phone or text.  You should leave everything inside except for below-listed heat sensitive items and/or any garbage that is removed in sealed bags.  These are the industry best practices and will aid in a successful heat treatment.  Failure to follow these procedures can lead to less than desirable results.  While the prep is very important, DON'T OVER THINK IT!
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1. PESTICIDES:  It is best not use any pesticide foggers, bombs, sprays or dusts just prior to treatment (the heat can render sprays ineffective and you will just need to re-apply afterword). 

2. PREMISES PREP:  Eliminate all areas of possible heat loss when possible: 

• Close A/C vents, bathroom exhaust fans (and cover them if needed)
• Cover very old, leaky windows with insulated blankets or painter's plastic.  Note:  Most windows do not need to be covered!
• Vacuum up all Diatomaceous Earth, Powders & Pet Hair- This is REQUIRED!
• Single Room Treatment:  Place a bath towel under the door to prevent heat escape. 

3. DE-CLUTTER:  This is VERY important!  The heat must be able to reach all areas of a room.  Organize any excessively cluttered areas that will make it difficult for heat to circulate, creating possible ‘cold spots.’  Remove all items from under the bed.  Consider separating stacked boxes, loose paperwork should be weighted down, etc.  Unless you are throwing something away or it is a heat sensitive item (see list below), it should stay in the treatment area or you could reintroduce bed bugs back into the space.  Anything thrown away should be done in tied garbage bags before taking it from the room (you don't want any bed bugs to fall out on the way out the door!)   ​

4. CLOTHING/BLANKETS/TOWELS/BED SHEETS: 

• It is recommended (but not required) that all clothes and linens be washed and dried on high heat before the treatment. 
• Remove and bag sheets from the bed and launder them on high heat (or throw them away)
• It is okay to leave clothes hanging in the closet (but not over stuffed- remove some if necessary)
• Thin out clothes in your dresser so they are not overstuffed (especially jeans)
• All excessive piles of clothes/sheets should be loosely placed into open-weave laundry baskets or garbage bags, left in treatment area, then washed/dried immediately following treatment
• Clothes inside laundry hampers or piles on the floor will likely not reach lethal temperatures and MUST be laundered for 30 minutes on high heat.
• During treatment, you can “toss” all your linens to allow maximum heat penetration​ (similar to how a dryer tumbles)

​5. FURNITURE PREP:

• Lightly pull all furniture away from the walls 4-6 inches.  Depending on the room configuration, you may wish to pull furniture 12-18" off the walls to allow for air to circulate around the room at the perimeter.
• Dresser drawers, desk/nightstand drawers should be left opened in a staggered position to allow heat to penetrate all areas inside 
• Place a drawer or other item between the mattress and box spring to separate and prop them up so heat can more easily penetrate
• Chair and couch cushions should be removed and stood on edge, leg rest areas extended
• Sleeper sofas must be pulled out
• Water / Air beds should be drained (at least partially)

6. ELECTRONICS:

• Unplug everything except for the refrigerator and/or deep freezer
• Leave all electronics in your home during treatment as bed bugs can easily hide in them.  This includes TV’s, computers, monitors, alarm clocks, CD’s, DVD’s, etc.
• Do not turn on electronics until they return to normal temperatures!

 
7. SUITCASES:

• Empty and leave all suitcases, back-packs, purses and briefcases inside treatment area.  These are high risk for bed bug infestation and should be empty for effective treatment

 
8. PETS, PLANTS & AQUARIUMS:

• ALL living things must leave treatment area!  However, kennels, pet bedding and carriers should be left behind

9. PAPERS, BOOKS, MAGAZINES, LOOSE ARTICLES:

• Loose papers and light objects that could be blown away by stiff wind should be weighted down
• Loose posters, paper calendars or other light-weight items hanging on the wall could blow down if not removed.  Heavier framed pieces should not be affected

​10. MISCELLANEOUS:

• Vacuum all powders, dust and pet hair as it can damage equipment and is bad to breathe in (like Diatomaceous Earth)
• Air flow is critical, so any area heavily overstuffed (closets, dresser drawers, stacks of boxes, etc) will limit the effectiveness of heat treatment and should be rectified. Make sure there is ample space for air flow!
• Area rugs can usually remain on the floor, but consider rolling them up loosely for better heat penetration​​
• Concrete block, tile, brick, stone walls, shiplap, high ceilings and having lots of furniture may require longer heat times and more heating power to properly saturate the area with 120°F heat
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11. HEAT SENSITIVE ITEMS:

Bed bugs can lay their eggs anywhere so you should remove as little as possible from the infected rooms.  However, consider individually inspecting and removing family heirlooms or other irreplaceable items like wedding albums or other unique treasures.  Smaller heat sensitive items can be placed into a heavy duty garbage bag or plastic container for individual inspection and disinfection. Use common sense to guide you here!
We are not responsible for any heating related damage to your personal belongings or the structure.

​Heat Sensitive Items Include:

• All living things (people, pets, plants)
• Fire extinguishers
• Aerosol cans: Hairspray, spray paint, shaving cream
• Combustibles: Butane lighters, lamp fuel, solvents, ammo, oxygen tanks/concentrators
• Wax items: Crayons, candles, deodorant, lipstick
• Consumables: Medicine, vitamins, fresh fruit, vegetables, chocolates, cans of soda, corked wine bottles, etc. 
• Oil paintings, musical instruments (leave the case), cassette tapes, printer ink cartridges, certain electronics (check with manufacturer)
• Thermofoil cabinet doors - (They occasionally start to peel at the edges)
• Vinyl Blinds:  Some vinyl or faux wood blinds have rather low heat tolerance. Consider simply raising the blinds up (slats are all stacked together) so they won't sag at the ends.  They will not melt!
• Vinyl Flooring:  Some (not all) types can be susceptible to minor (and usually temporary) warping, depending on thickness and quality.  Consider putting a moving blanket under the heater, raising the heater off the floor with a milk crate, and/or lowering the maximum temperature on the heater. Most vinyl floors will not be harmed if proper precautions are taken. 
• ​Certain 3-D printed items
• Items that are hot glued together
• Other items not mentioned here
• Note:  If you are not sure about an item's heat tolerance, contact the manufacturer or use your best judgment.
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Fire Sprinkler Systems: 
It is the customer’s sole responsibility to be knowledgeable of and protect any fire sprinkler systems and/or heat sensors located within the treatment area.  Customer must inform us of their presence.  It is recommended that all fire sprinklers be shut off and drained when possible.  The heaters should be governed at 125°F per manufacturer's instructions.  Most residential sprinkler systems will activate at 155°F. ​

12. RE-ENTRY PROCEDURE (See Heating Instructions Link Below):

Things to be aware of when entering the treatment area to check progress or at final shut down:

• Temperatures will be elevated!  Think hot car, sauna or attic in the summertime.  Turn off the heat and allow cool down to occur as naturally as possible. Open windows.  A/C can be turned on below 90°F.
• Do not spend more than a few minutes inside when temperature are elevated.  Use your best judgement here.​

 Important:  If you have visited family or friends recently, there is a possibility they have become infested too. We recommend they do an inspection and contact us as needed.  Also, check your car! (but know that summer heat will typically kill them naturally when the car is parked in the sun all afternoon on a hot summer day).

HEATING INSTRUCTIONS