Bed Bug Treatment Preparations
Download Treatment Preparation PDFBefore the treatment begins, all occupants, including pets must leave the unit and not enter for a minimum of 3- 4 hours after the treatment. Aquariums may remain in place as long as the filtration and aeration systems are turned off and the tank adequately covered. Filtration and aeration equipment should be turned back on 6 hours after treatment. Anyone who is pregnant or has allergies or asthma should take the necessary precautions. (We recommend you vacate the unit for 6 hours)
Before treatment
- All clutter should be removed from the unit.
- Steam clean, wet vacuum or shampoo any carpeting and furnishings.
- Vacuum the mattress thoroughly including crevices, handles and buttons.
- Vacuum bed frame, baseboards and objects/flooring close to the bed.
- Discard the vacuum bag (placed in tightly sealed garbage bag before disposal).
- Remove all clothing from dressers and place in clean plastic bags.
- Bookshelves, nightstands or other furniture in the immediate area must be emptied so that the technician can spray the undersides of the furniture.
- Remove plates from electrical outlets and light switches.
- Place all items in tightly sealed garbage bags and leave them in the room to be treated.
Laundering
All clothing items should be placed in garbage bags, sealed and emptied directly into the washing machine. When the laundering cycles are complete, the clean laundry should be placed in new clear garbage bags and sealed during the treatment process. The garbage bags used for transporting clothing to the laundry room should be discarded outside the premise as they may contain bed bugs. For severe infestations, water soluble bags should be used if possible to collect sheets and clothing and put directly into the wash. It is important to launder items using hot water as cold water will not kill bed bugs or their eggs. All clean clothes should be put in the dryer on high for a minimum of 20 minutes. Some clothes may require dry cleaning.
All bedding must be removed before the technician arrives. Soiled bedding should be washed in hot water (separate from all other laundry) or dry cleaned before or soon after the treatment to avoid resurgence of bed bugs. Pillows should also be placed in the dryer on high heat for a minimum of 20 minutes. After treatment, bed skirts should be avoided; bedding trucked in tightly; and bed kept a few inches away from the wall. We strongly recommend the installation of mattress and box spring covers to help prevent further infestations. Contact our office (514-336-6110) for pricing information.
Baby cribs
All linen should be laundered. All toys should be washed in soapy hot water and stuffed toys should be placed in the dryer on high heat for 20 minutes. Store clean toys away from treated areas.
Dressers and night tables
All contents of dressers should be put in garbage bags for transport to the dryer. Place contents in the dryer on hot for a minimum of 20 minutes. All articles on top of the dresser are to be removed and placed in plastic bags or plastic totes. Bookshelves, nightstands or other furniture in the immediate area must be emptied so that the technician can spray the undersides of the furniture. Furniture and items should be moved at least 30 cm ( 12 inches) away from the wall to facilitate spraying of the baseboards. Shelving and drawers should be clean.
Closets
All closets including linen closets are to be emptied. Clean articles should be placed in the dryer on high heat for a minimum of 20 minutes. All soiled articles need to be washed in hot water and then dried in high heat. Laundromat dryers may have lower heat settings and may not heat up to 60 °C so the full cycle should be used.
Sofas
All chair covers, throws and pillows must be laundered prior to treatment.
Disposal of furniture
Discarding beds, bedding, and furniture is not a sound approach to bed bug control as they can be easily re-infested. Furniture that is infested with bed bugs that cannot be salvaged needs to be disposed of in a manner that will prevent the further spread of bed bugs. In the process of removing a piece of furniture, bed bugs can escape into hallways and make their way into new apartments spreading the problem to new areas.
If you decide to throw out bed bug infested furniture:
- Take apart, deface or damage the piece of furniture to ensure it cannot be reused.
- Mattresses should be slashed or otherwise damaged to make them unusable.
- Wrap the furniture/mattress in plastic so bed bugs cannot escape – this should be done in the unit before the items are removed. We have these bags for sale – call 514-336-6110 for information.
- Put in trash shortly before pick-up, so it doesn’t sit for a long time.
Check list
- Put all clutter in sealed plastic bags and remove from unit.
- Move all furniture away from the walls (about 12-18 in.)
- Steam clean, wet vacuum or shampoo any carpeting and furnishings.
- Vacuum the mattress thoroughly including crevices, handles and buttons.
- Vacuum bed frame, baseboards and objects/flooring close to bed.
- Discard the vacuum bag (placed in tightly sealed garbage bag before disposal).
- Remove all clothing from dressers and place in clean plastic bags and launder.
- Ensure bookshelves, nightstands or other furniture in the immediate area are emptied.
- Place all items in tightly sealed plastic bags and leave them in the room to be treated.
- Remove plates from electrical outlets and light switches.
- All bedding must be removed. Soiled bedding should be washed in hot water or dry cleaned.
- Pillows must be placed in the dryer on high heat for a minimum of 20 minutes.
