If your bed bug infestation is out of control, then it’s time to take a look at your approach and how you are dealing with that pesky situation. Sometimes you need to start fresh with a new checklist and new approach. The best part is you can find some great resources online for free. I found this useful document on the Bed Bugs 911 website that might be just the ticket you need if you are looking for something a little more comprehensive than those printable lists you might have tried in the past. One of the first steps of choosing a pest control contractor is to ensure that they have the equipment, training and experience needed to get the job done right. Do You Have Bed Bugs Before Treatment? Here’s a checklist to help you make your choice. Bed bugs are a nightmare to anyone who experiences them. Fortunately, our proposal and inspection with the use of thermal imaging equipment can help you find them. Or, if you suspect that you have bed bugs, you can use this post to determine if your suspicions are correct or not. This checklist will help guide you in your search for bed bugs.

Bed Bug Checklist Before Treatment

Wash bedding and linens.

If you have bedbugs, the first step is to wash all your bedding and linens in hot water. Throw out the mattress if it is infested. Dry your items on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Don’t let other clothing come into contact with your clean laundry until it has completely dried.

Clean your entire bedroom.

The first step in preparing for treatment is to thoroughly clean your entire bedroom. This includes the floor, walls, ceiling and bed frame/headboard. You’ll need to clean each of these surfaces by hand or with a vacuum cleaner. If you have access to an electric screwdriver (the kind used for driving screws into wood), this can also be used to remove and replace wall outlets, which will make it easier for you to get rid of possible infestations inside the wall cavity.

If you have clothing that has been exposed to bed bugs, wash them using hot water temperatures and add detergent designed specifically for washing clothes that have come into contact with bed bug infestations (you can buy these at any hardware store). If you don’t want to do this yourself or don’t think it’s necessary then get rid of those articles as soon as possible—it’s better not taking any chances than finding out later that they were carrying eggs from your old home! The same goes for anything else which could potentially harbor live eggs; if there’s even one chance in a million that something might contain viable eggs then throw it out!

Put other potentially infested items in plastic bags.

• Put other potentially infested items in plastic bags.
• Seal the bags and store them in a dry, cool place for at least three months (but preferably much longer), such as an attic or basement. This is an important step because bed bugs can lay eggs that will hatch even after treatment. If you don’t treat these areas, the new batch of bugs could emerge and reinfest your home—and this time it would be more difficult to get rid of them.
• Don’t forget about electronics! If you have any electronics that are used regularly by family members or guests (iPod speakers, iPads, laptops), place those items into ziplock bags and seal them shut with clear packing tape before placing them into storage containers or trash bags with secure lids.

Put clean clothes away.

If you have the time, put your clean clothes in a plastic bag and into the freezer. This will kill any bugs that may be hiding in your clothes. Additionally, you can use a dryer on high heat to kill any bugs in your clothes. If this option isn’t available to you, then it’s okay to do nothing—you can always take out the clothes and inspect them later!

Get rid of clutter (less places for the bugs to hide).

Get rid of clutter (less places for the bugs to hide).

The more clutter in the room, the more places for the bugs to hide. Consider donating or throwing out things you don’t need or use. If you are not sure if an item has bed bugs, put it in a plastic bag and place it in your garage until after treatment.

Vacuum the room, including all cracks on walls.

• Vacuum the room, including all cracks on walls. Make sure to vacuum furniture and vents as well.
• Use a special attachment to vacuum cracks in the floor.

Preparing for a bed bug treatment is an important step and will help expedite the process.

After you have identified a bed bug infestation, it is important to prepare for a bed bug treatment. Bed bugs spread quickly, so it is best to start preparing for a bed bug treatment as soon as possible. If you are planning on having an extermination company come out to treat the problem, be sure that they are aware of all areas where you suspect the infestation may be present, including any furniture or items brought into your home from outside sources recently (like second hand furniture).

Bed bugs can hide in many places throughout a home. Be sure to check all crevices of your mattress and box spring as well as behind picture frames, baseboards and molding around windowsills or doors. Empty any drawers where items such as books might be stored away from light sources like lamps so that they can be inspected thoroughly before being put back into place after treatment has been completed.

If possible, try not to bring clutter into your bedroom while preparing for an inspection by an exterminator; this will make it easier for them when checking potential hiding spots throughout your room.