The Bed Bug Heat Treatment Preparation Checklist gives you a detailed list of steps to take in preparation for your heat treatment. It is not a one time read, but rather a checklist you will come back to again and again until you are comfortable with the process. This checklist is 100% free and has been put together by our team at Orkin Pest & Termite Control. When you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation, your home and belongings are probably high up on your list of things that you care most about. And when the time comes to get rid of bed bugs using heat treatment, you’ll want to get it right. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you’re working with a reputable company. This is why I created this Bed Bug Heat Treatment Preparation Checklist.

Bed Bug Heat Treatment Preparation Checklist Orkin

Self-Prep Checklist

Once you have decided to heat treat your home, it is important that you prepare for the treatment. You should:

• Clean your home before heat treatment
• Remove all clutter from the floor
• Remove all clothing from closets and shelves
• Remove all curtains and drapes from windows and doors, including behind the sliding glass door if there is one in your living room or family room
• Remove all bedding and linens; this includes pillows, blankets, comforters, duvets (or duvet covers), pillow cases (or pillowcase covers), mattress pads or mattress protectors; even if they are plastic-covered, they still need to be removed because they may contain bed bugs within their fabric structure

Bed Bug Heat Treatment Preparation Tips

Bed bug heat treatment is safe for your family and pets.

Heat treatment is a cost-effective way to kill bed bugs, especially compared to using chemicals.

Heat treatment can kill all life stages of bed bugs, including eggs and young nymphs that are harder to reach with chemical sprays.

Instructions for the Day of Treatment

The day of your heat treatment, you must remove all pets, people and plants from the area.

• You will also want to remove all non-heat tolerant items that are not in their original packaging. This includes clothing, upholstered furniture, mattresses and box springs (even if they are encased).

You will be contacted by a technician who will give you more specific instructions on how to prepare for your heat treatment.

Directions to follow after Treatment

After a heat treatment, let your home cool down before opening doors and windows. You may also choose to leave some areas sealed for 24 hours to allow for complete cooling. Once the temperature has dropped sufficiently, air out your home as much as possible—this will help prevent the return of bed bugs by removing some of the humidity that can attract them.

Clean up dead bugs and dry up any remaining liquids. Remove items from freezer and fridge if they are accessible (or place them in plastic bags so they don’t thaw). Bed bugs cannot survive freezing temperatures but they may be present on surfaces immediately after treatment when temperatures are still warm enough for them to exist outside their hosts’ bodies.

Be sure to prepare your home and family correctly before bed bug heat treatment.

Before your heat treatment, remember to prepare your home and family correctly. It’s important to remove all bedding from the room, as well as any pets. Vacuum the floor thoroughly before treating the area with heat. Remove all food items from the area being treated, including plants and curtains. Make sure that you are completely emptying out each room before heating it up!