Preparing Your Home for Bed Bug Heat Treatment

Your Guide to Preparing for a Successful Bed Bug Heat Treatment

A successful bed bug treatment starts with proper preparation. Follow our simple checklist to ensure your home is ready for a safe and effective heat treatment.

A successful thermal remediation is a partnership between you and the BC Bed Bug Expert team. By following these preparation guidelines, you help us ensure a safe, efficient, and 100% effective treatment that eliminates bed bugs and their eggs the first time. Please read through this checklist carefully. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

What to REMOVE Before Treatment

This is the most critical section for safety and protecting valuables. I’ve grouped similar items to make the list easier to process.

For your safety and to prevent damage, the following items must be removed from the treatment area and taken with you on the day of service:

• Pets & Live Animals: All pets, including fish in aquariums, must be removed.
• Flammable & Pressurized Items: This includes all spray cans (hairspray, aerosol cleaners, etc.), fire extinguishers, lighters, gun powder, firearms, ammo, and any items containing alcohol or flammable solvents.
• Items that Melt or Warp: Remove all wax-based items (candles, wax figurines), fresh food, chocolate, candy, and all plastic blinds.
• Irreplaceable Items: Remove all money, valuables, family heirlooms, musical instruments, and anything of significant sentimental or monetary value.
• Personal Care & Medical Products: Take all prescription and over-the-counter medications, cosmetics, and nail polish.

What to PREPARE & LEAVE Behind

This section gives clients clear instructions on how to handle items that should stay in the home for treatment.

• Clothing & Fabrics:
  • All clothing should be placed in open-weave laundry baskets. Do not use plastic bags.
  • Clothing left on hangers in closets should be arranged loosely to allow for air circulation.
  • For drawers, remove the contents and place them loosely in an open-weave basket or a treated box.
• Papers & Small Items:
  • Loose papers and books should be gathered and placed in a box.
  • Secure any breakable items, knick-knacks, or fragile decorations.
  • Remove all pictures and paintings from the walls to prevent heat damage.
• Electronics:
  • Leave all electronics (TVs, computers, stereos) in place as they can be bed bug hiding spots.
  • Switch all devices to the “off” position and unplug them from the wall outlet.
• Mattresses & Bedding:
  • Large fabric items like duvets and blankets should be removed from the bed. If you cannot run them through a dryer, place them loosely in an open-weave laundry basket for treatment.
  • Waterbeds must be drained.
  • Airbeds must be partially deflated and unplugged.

Your Plan for the Day of Treatment

• Prepare a “Clean Kit”: On the morning of your treatment, prepare a fresh outfit (including shoes) by running the clothes through a dryer on high heat for 30 minutes. Place them in a sealed plastic bag for you to wear when you leave. Do not bring any personal effects with you that have not been heat-treated.
• Post-Treatment Plan: Any clothing you wash before treatment must be kept in sealed containers and not returned to the treated space until after the thermal remediation is complete.