How do you prepare a house for a bed bug treatment? - briefly
To ready a home for a pest‑control treatment, strip beds and furniture of linens, wash all fabrics on the hottest setting, place items in sealed plastic bags, and clear clutter from floors and corners. Then vacuum every surface, discard the vacuum bag, and keep the residence vacant for the duration of the treatment.
How do you prepare a house for a bed bug treatment? - in detail
Preparing a residence for a bed‑bug eradication requires systematic actions that reduce insect hiding places and protect treatment effectiveness.
Begin by eliminating clutter from bedrooms, living areas, and storage spaces. Boxes, piles of clothing, and unused items create additional shelters; discard or relocate them to a sealed container.
All bedding, curtains, and removable fabric should be laundered on the hottest setting the material can tolerate, then dried on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Items that cannot be washed—such as delicate pillows or stuffed toys—must be placed in sealed plastic bags for the duration of the treatment.
Vacuum every room thoroughly, paying special attention to mattress seams, box‑spring edges, bed frames, upholstered furniture, and floor cracks. Use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter, dispose of the bag or empty canister into a sealed trash bag, and remove it from the premises.
Disassemble furniture that can be taken apart: remove legs from beds, pull out mattress toppers, and separate headboards. Wrap each component in heavy‑duty plastic sheeting, sealing edges with tape. This prevents insects from migrating back into treated zones after the application.
Cover all exposed floor surfaces with disposable polyethylene sheeting. Tape the edges to the baseboards, creating a barrier that limits re‑infestation and protects the treatment chemicals from contact with personal items.
If the property contains pet habitats, move animals to a temporary, insect‑free environment. Wash pet bedding at high temperature and store it in sealed containers.
Notify the pest‑control professional of any structural modifications, recent renovations, or known cracks in walls and flooring. Seal visible gaps with caulk or expanding foam to limit bug movement during and after treatment.
Finally, arrange for a clear schedule: vacate the home for the period specified by the exterminator, typically 24–48 hours, and ensure that all windows and doors remain closed to prevent external entry. Return only after the professional confirms that the environment is safe for re‑occupation.