Thermal Heat Treatment Preparation for Bed Bugs
You know you have bed bugs and are ready for treatment. The quotes on treating your space are in and you have decided to have a thermal heat treatment. What does having a thermal heat treatment performed in your home to exterminate bed bugs mean? Every company will have their own specific requirements but there are some basic guidelines about a heat treatment. Your company should provide written instructions to you before the treatment. These instructions will help you protect items and help to ensure the thermal heat treatment is successful. To review our complete preparation checklist go to this page.
It's going to get hot!!
Heat treatments must heat the space and contents to at least 120° to kill the live bugs and eggs. The ambient air temperature may greater than 120° and could reach 150° to 160°.
A good rule of thumb is – if an item can get damaged in a closed car on a hot summer day then a heat treatment may damage it.
120° Pest advices our clients to remove items from the treatment area after a technician has inspected or cleared the item for removal.
- Records and Albums
- Fine Art
- Photographs or Negatives
- Collectibles
- Remove Medications
- Wines and Liquors
- Live Plants
- Pets musts be removed including fish and reptiles
- All electronics need to be unplugged
- Nothing under the beds
- Nothing stored on top of the beds
- Fresh Foods will spoil
Cleaning is a Must
For the space to hit 120° the heated air needs to be able to move and transfer the heat energy to items. Some cleaning is required for this to happen.
- Launder and fold clothes that are on the floor. Heat cannot penetrate piles of clothes on the floor.
- Vacuum the floors. Dispose of the dirt in an outside receptacle.
- Pick up and arrange loose papers. High speed fans can blow things around.
- The items under the bed will have to be removed. The bed and bed frame is usually has the highest concentration of bed bugs.
The prep is important.
By doing the required prep you will help to ensure a successful thermal heat treatment. This list is not complete and you should consult with the bed bug company of your choice on what they require as preparation for a thermal heat treatment. By following your company’s pretreatment list you are helping to ensure a successful bed bug heat treatment. You can download a free preparation sheet here.
