Preparing Home for Bed Bug Treatment: Why & How to Do It

When you call an exterminator to deal with the bed bugs that have invaded your house, you may assume your job is done. But that’s not the case! The process of eradicating bed bugs starts long before a pest control specialist arrives at your doorstep. That’s why we’re going to dive into a critical step in winning the battle against these unwelcome pests—preparing the home for bed bug treatment. 

Why Preparing Home for Bed Bug Treatment Is Crucial

If you think that preparing your home for bed bug treatment is an unnecessary hassle, think again. This step is far from optional. In fact, it can mean the difference between getting your home back and continuing to be a source of nourishment for these bloodsucking pests. 

Here are a few compelling reasons preparation is an absolute must…

• It’s a requirement of most exterminators.

  Most pest control companies make home preparation a mandatory requirement for treatment. They often have a list of tasks you’ll need to complete before their technicians can get started. Failing to follow their guidelines could result in your extermination date being pushed back until they can confirm the prep work is done. And that’s the last thing you want!

• It ensures your treatment is effective. 

  Regardless of which type of bed bug treatment you choose, getting your space ready ahead of time can ensure it’s effective. Putting the effort into preparing your home for bed bug treatment makes the exterminator’s job easier. They’ll be able to access all potential hiding spots and eliminate the pests for good. 

• It reduces the risk of reinfestation. 

  Imagine investing time and money in professional bed bug treatment only to have the critters return because your home wasn’t properly prepared… That’s the risk you take when you skip this step. By not taking the necessary precautions, some bed bugs could evade treatment and repopulate. And then, you’ll have to go through the whole process again!

  What Preparing Home for Bed Bug Treatment Looks Like

There’s a lot involved in preparing the home for bed bug treatment. But as mentioned above, it’s a necessary step if you want to rid your house of these pests permanently. Even the EPA recommends getting your space ready before extermination. 

Below are some of the tasks you’ll need to complete. However, note this isn’t an exhaustive list. The professional you hire may have their own requirements depending on the chosen treatment. 

Getting Rid of Clutter

Bed bugs are attracted to clutter, as it gives them plenty of ways to hide in your home. That’s why decluttering and organizing your home is vital. Typically, this involves discarding unnecessary items and keeping floors as clear as possible. 

Packing & Storing Items

It’s important to pack up everything you want to keep that can’t be laundered. This can include items such as books, toiletries, cooking utensils, and cleaning supplies. It’s best to place these things in plastic bags or containers. 

Dismantling & Moving Furniture

Another task to complete while preparing your home for bed bug treatment is taking care of furniture. Items like mattresses and box springs should be dismantled. It’s also recommended to move furniture away from baseboards so the exterminator can get to hard-to-reach areas. 

Laundering All Linens & Clothing

All clothing, towels, bedsheets, comforters, pillowcases, and other linens must be laundered properly—whether they’re clean or dirty. (You’ll likely end up filling 20-30 contractor bags full of laundry.) In addition to washing them in hot water, you need to dry them at high heat, making sure the dryer is not overpacked. Once you’ve done that, sealing and storing linens is also recommended to be safe. 

Vacuuming Surfaces Thoroughly

It’s a good idea to vacuum all fabrics and surfaces thoroughly prior to your treatment. Along with flooring, you should go over upholstered furniture and mattresses. Get deep into the edges of the fabric where bed bugs like to camp out. 

Sealing Cracks & Crevices

Bed bugs can hide in virtually any small space they can find. It’s wise to seal up any cracks and crevices in your home to stop them from tucking themselves away until treatment is over. You can use tape or caulking to close any gaps around your floors and ceilings. 

Protecting Pets & Plants

Most bed bug treatments require evacuating the entire household for between 4 and 24 hours. So, make sure to take pets with you while your home is being treated. If your house will be undergoing heat treatment, move plants elsewhere since they may not survive the high temperatures.  

5 Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Preparing your home for bed bug treatment can be incredibly time-consuming and labor-intensive. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the long list of tasks you must complete. And it could cause you to forget or botch an important assignment. 

Here are 5 preparation mistakes you should avoid…

1. Failing to Launder Fabrics Properly

Some homeowners assume that just washing fabrics is enough, but it’s not. There’s a reason clothing and linens need to be cleaned and dried at high heat: Bed bugs can’t take it. Both adult bed bugs and eggs are killed off at around 120 degrees. However, the eggs are more resilient and need to be exposed to high temperatures for longer. That’s why you need to use the highest heat setting on your washer and dryer. 

2. Not Disposing of Full Vacuum Bags

Most people don’t empty the vacuum after every use. So, a lot of homeowners don’t think to do this during pre-treatment prep. But when you’re dealing with bed bugs, you can’t just put your vacuum away. You need to empty the can or put the bag into a plastic bag, seal it, and dispose of it outside. Otherwise, these pesky critters can survive in the vacuum, find their way out, and invade all over again. 

3. Using Cardboard Boxes for Storage

As cardboard boxes are convenient and inexpensive, many homeowners use them to store items before extermination. The problem is that bed bugs can sneak into the holes of corrugated cardboard. That’s why you need to use plastic crates or plastic bags instead of cardboard boxes. 

4. Thinking Bed Bugs “Won’t Be in There”

Many homeowners underestimate how cunning these pests can be. But just because you can’t imagine how bed bugs could hide somewhere doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. These sneaky little creatures can hole up in unusual places, including shoes, books, purses, stuffed animals, and even light bulbs. When you’re preparing your home for bed bug treatment, you need to pay great attention to detail. 

5. Not Leaving Enough Time

Preparing the home for bed bug treatment is more rigorous than your run-of-the-mill cleaning. That’s why it takes an average of 2-5 days to get everything done. If you don’t give yourself enough time, you may skip essential tasks or experience setbacks. It’s important to create a plan so you can get everything done on time. 

Takeaway

You can’t underestimate the importance of preparing your home for bed bug treatment. In addition to being a requirement set by pest control specialists, it’s also the best way to ensure your treatment is effective. Getting your house ready can speed up the treatment process, minimize control costs, and achieve peace of mind.

Of course, your friends at Advanced Bed Bug Preparation know how challenging this prep work can be. That’s why we’re here to help! By taking advantage of our services, you can have your home assessed, prepared, and restored with no effort on your part. We’ve assisted countless homeowners throughout the Appleton, Oshkosh, and Northeast Wisconsin areas, and we can do the same for you!