heat treatment for bed bugs
preparation
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. You should leave everything inside except for listed heat sensitive items and any garbage that is removed in sealed bags. While these are the industry best practices and will aid in a successful heat treatment, don't over think it!
Before the bed bug heating equipment arrives at your home or other location, you should prepare the treatment area as shown below. You should leave everything inside except for listed heat sensitive items and any garbage that is removed in sealed bags. While these are the industry best practices and will aid in a successful heat treatment, don't over think it!
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:
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3. DE-CLUTTER: Disturb the room as little as possible, but organize any excessively cluttered areas that will make it difficult for heat to circulate, creating possible ‘cold spots.’ 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 heavy duty or doubled up 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:
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5. FURNITURE PREP:
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6. ELECTRONICS:
7. SUITCASES:
8. PETS, PLANTS & AQUARIUMS:
9. PAPERS, BOOKS, MAGAZINES, LOOSE ARTICLES:
- 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 pictures hanging on the wall could blow down if not removed. Heavier framed pieces should not be affected
10. MISCELLANEOUS:
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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, any 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:
Bed bugs can lay their eggs anywhere so you should remove as little as possible from the infected rooms. However, any 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, carbonated beverages, wine, etc.
- Oil paintings, photographs, musical instruments (leave the case), cassette tapes, printer ink cartridges, certain electronics (check with manufacturer)
- Thermofoil kitchen cabinet doors
- 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.
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:
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.