BEFORE TREATMENT
- Remove all sheets and blankets from bed, wash in hot water and place in a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes. Do not return sheets or blankets until after treatment.
- Empty all items from nightstands, dresser drawers, closet floors and closet shelves. Place items in garbage bags or totes, and remove from the room. Items not placed in bags or tightly sealing totes may transport bed bugs to other rooms; ensure a tight seal before removing items from the room.
- Move bedroom furniture about a foot away from the walls and baseboards.
- Consult our office for additional preparation instructions if the infestation has spread beyond the bedroom(s).
AFTER TREATMENT
- Residents should be out of the home for three hours total (2 hours after treatment is completed). Open windows upon return to air the premises out.
- Items that have not been laundered should be treated in an enclosed space with an approved heat machine or fumigant prior to returning to the treated area.
- Thoroughly vacuum mattress, box spring and frame. Vacuum dresser drawers. Continue vacuuming all bedroom, closet and bathroom floors concentrating on baseboards and edges. Discard vacuum bag after completely done vacuuming. Put used vacuum bags in a sealed garbage bag before throwing in dumpster.
- The vacuumed mattress and box spring should be put into mattress and box spring covers manufactured for bed bug exclusion.
- Remake the covered mattress so that covers are pulled well above the floor.
All items that are returned should be treated with heat or fumigant prior to bringing back to the apartment (No-Pest Strips from your hardware store work well in totes or other storage; read and follow the directions carefully).
HELP US HELP YOU
Treatment success is heavily influenced by closely following preparation and post-treatment guidelines, treatment of neighboring rooms and apartments, identification of the source of the bed bugs, and the prevention of reintroduction.