PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR BED BUG TREATMENT

It’s essential that you cooperate with your pest management company for successful bed bug
control. Once established, bed bugs can be difficult to control, especially without your help.
The following tips will help your pest management company and YOU get rid of bed bugs
quickly:
___ Don’t move any of your belongings to another home during or before the
treatment. You might end up spreading bed bugs to another home and may reintroduce
bed bugs to your newly‐treated home later. If you need to take items
with you during a treatment, move as few items as possible and have them
checked for bed bugs (or heat them ) before moving them.
___ Wash all sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and other bedding in hot water. Place the
items in dryer on high (if possible) for at least 45 minutes. Double bag all bedding
immediately after washing and drying.
___ Place curtains, pillows, towels, stuffed animals, etc. in the dryer on high for at least
45 minutes. Double bag all items right after drying.
___ Items that cannot be washed (books, electronics, picture frames, plastic toys, etc.)
should be thoroughly inspected and placed into plastic bags or bins if bed bug
free.
___ Leave cleaned and dried items in plastic bags until your home has been treated
and is bed bug free.
___ Vacuum and wash all floors. To prevent bed bugs from escaping, be sure to place
the vacuum bag into a plastic bag before disposing of it.
___ Wash all clothing in hot water. Then place clothing in the dryer on high for at least
45 minutes. Do not place clothing in infested rooms/areas until treatment has
been completed and your home is bed bug free।

___ Vacuum the mattress and box spring to remove live/dead bed bugs. Doublebag
and discard the vacuum bags in an outdoor trashcan immediately to avoid
re‐introducing or spreading any bed bugs caught in the vacuum. If the
mattress and box spring will be encased, be sure to use one that is bed bug
proof. These encasements are thick enough so that bed bugs cannot bite
through it and have tight zippers that the bugs cannot escape through.
___ Vacuum couches, chairs and recliners thoroughly before treatment. Bed bugs
are often found in couches and upholstered chairs. If possible, turn the
furniture over or on its side/back and vacuum underneath as well. If there is a
dust cover attached on the underside, pull it back and vacuum areas that will
need to be treated. Double‐bag and discard the vacuum bags in an outdoor
trashcan immediately to avoid re‐introducing or spreading any bed bugs
caught in the vacuum.
___ Reduce clutter if possible. Pick up and double bag all loose items in bedrooms
(e.g., in the bottom of a closet) and other rooms that will be treated. Before
returning these items, follow your pest control company’s instructions for
cleaning and inspecting to make sure you are not returning bed bugs to the
treated room(s).
___ Provide access to walls, closets, and areas around furniture to allow for a
thorough inspection and treatment.