Before performing a comprehensive bed bug treatment to eradicate troublesome pests in your bedroom, there are certain steps that you need to follow. Bed bug extermination is a risky process, thus, preparation is such a major step that one should take in mind.
This article provides insightful information and important instructions for you before performing the treatment.
Packing and Preparation of Furniture
Remove all the furniture from the walls and baseboards to expose where bed bugs usually hide and breed. Empty potential hiding places for bed bugs such as cracks, desks, bookcases, etc. for treatment preparation.
- Make sure to lift mattresses and box springs away from the bed frame.
- Do not forget to empty your closets and store your clothes separately in plastic bags in the meantime.
- Dressers and nightstands usually contain stuff that may need to be treated as well.
- Books must be placed in boxes and stored in a safe area (or center of the living room).
- Remove hanging items such as picture frames, mirrors, decors, etc. The walls may need to be inspected and treated, as well.
- Other furniture, such as sleeper sofas, futons, folding beds, should also be included in the treatment process.
Important note to remember:
Excessive clutter may hinder you from getting a thorough bed bug treatment, so it is important to make sure that unnecessary disorder is fixed or removed.
Washing
Take time to sort your things and wash everything that should be washed and stored separately in clean plastic bags.
- Wash the items following label instructions (also applicable to linens and beddings). If possible, use the highest allowable heat setting when washing and drying the items.
- Bed bugs, developing and mature, can be killed at temperatures reaching 130 degrees (and above).
- Do not reuse pre-washing laundry bags. Place the clean items in new bags, tightly sealed until the treatment process is completed.
- For items that cannot be washed but can be dried, a minimum of 30-minute high heat drying will do the trick. Dispose of the debris collected.
- If you have items that cannot be washed, use a dry cleaner.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming greatly helps remove bed bugs and is an important step in preparing for the treatment. It is an effective way to remove bed bugs in hiding inside mattress seams, furniture cracks, interiors, baseboards, and anywhere that could be their hiding place.
- Make sure to vacuum floors, rugs, and carpets.
- Include all the mattresses, folds, holes, handles, and buttons.
- Vacuum the bed frames, especially the sofas, baseboards, and other upholstered furniture.
- Do not forget to dispose of vacuum bags properly after every use.
Disposing of Furniture
Some people may not agree with the idea of disposing of furniture because it can be costly or wasteful. But furniture replacement is sometimes necessary, especially when the condition and level of infestation are already severe. This also helps reduce the possibility of continuous bed bug infestation. If you decide to throw out or get rid of your furniture, make sure to dismantle of damage the items to avoid inviting other people to use them.
Stay out of your treated home for a few hours after the initial treatment to allow the materials to dry completely. Do not let children or pets come in before within four hours. Normal household activities can be resumed from this point forward, and never move back your furniture back into place at all to avoid having to repeat the treatment process.
Follow up treatments are usually scheduled within 2-3 weeks after the initial treatment has been completed. Although the preparation may bring significant challenges, we assure you that it will all be worth the hassle.