One of the most effective techniques to remove bed bugs is heat treatment.
High temperatures of 56C and above can eliminate all bed bugs of any age and their eggs so it’s highly effective. This method also works quicker than alternative chemical treatments.
There are several necessary things to do to prepare your property for the bed bug heat treatment.
1. Get your bedroom ready
You’ll need to move each bed that requires treatment two feet away from the walls. Also, move any furniture placed against to allow our expert unhindered access to the skirting boards of the room. Bed linen must be washed at 60-90C, or if your bedding or mattress is heavily infested, they may have to be thrown out. Also, remove any items stored underneath the bed.
Finally, hoover your room, and focus on areas around furniture as bed bugs tend to lay eggs or hide in these areas.
2. Prepare your wardrobe and clothes.
Bed bugs like to hide in clothing, so treating your wardrobe is necessary during heat treatment. Leave clothes hanging in your wardrobe but don’t squash them together, which will allow the heat to circulate and kill any bed bugs.
Clothing outside your wardrobe should be washed and dried at the highest degree possible, or dry-clean clothes such as jackets or coats. Also, avoid putting clothes into plastic bags that prevents them from receiving the heat treatment.
3. Remove items that are sensitive to heat.
Of course, not all items in your house can endure heat exposure. These include flammable liquids, lighters, paint, glue, deodorants, and aerosol cans or pressurised containers. Other items include medications, or wax products that could melt, and electronic equipment which could be damaged by the heat.
If you have plants, fish tanks, or aquariums, temporarily move them to a suitable area to avoid exposure to heat.
What steps should you take after the treatment?
Once the bed bug heat treatment has been completed, you should open doors or windows to allow air to circulate. You should also remove any dead bugs that may have crawled into crevasses along the skirting boards by hoovering these areas before moving furniture and bedding back into place. Drawers are to be cleaned inside and outside with regular cleaning products.
Once you have completed this, you can comfortably sleep in your bed now that the bed bugs have gone.
However, in case of any surviving bed bugs you should ensure that mattresses are protected with covers to prevent them from escaping.