Bed Bug Treatment Preparation Checklist
Whether it occurs at your residence or your business, a bed bug infestation is bad news. Bites cause itchy rashes, and guests or employees may spread the pests to their own homes. In healthcare settings, childcare facilities, and hotels, reviews mentioning a bed bug problem can damage reputations, too.
Preparation for the bed bug extermination process is important for successful removal. We’ve put together a bed bug checklist so you’ll know exactly what to do before the pest control specialists arrive.
Collect
Remove all pillows, sheets, bed skirts, and comforters. Take clothing out of dressers and gather towels and curtains. Sort out anything that needs dry cleaning. In daycare centers and preschools, as well as children’s bedrooms, don’t forget to add soft fabric toys and stuffed animals to your collection. Put machine-washable and dry-clean only pieces in separate plastic trash bags.
Launder
Wash your items in the hottest water possible. Then, put them in the dryer for at least thirty minutes on high heat. Dry-clean only items can also go into the dryer to get rid of any pests, just don’t toss them in the washer first. Afterward, store everything in insect-proof bags until the bed bug extermination process is complete.
Declutter
Help your specialist by clearing out everything stored under beds and other furnishings to eliminate potential insect hiding spots. Preparation for bed bug treatment in houses, hotel suites, waiting rooms, or apartment buildings should also include taking down wall art and moving furniture two feet or more from the walls.
Vacuum
Use a bag sweeper with strong suction to clean mattresses, box springs, and carpets. Switch to a crevice tool for bedframes, baseboards, and corners. Vacuuming upholstered seating is also crucial in homes as well as public spaces like lobbies and common areas. Bed bugs often cluster on the undersides of chairs and sofas. When finished, seal the bag and dispose of it outside.
Protect
Buy protective covers rated for bed bug control. Put them on every mattress, foundation, and pillow, while ensuring each one is snug and secure. Inspect them on a regular basis over the next 12 months. Hotels and health care facilities will need to check much more frequently. Fix any holes or tears that you find and replace the covers as needed.
Remove
You’ll be able to save most bed linens and clothing by washing and drying them on high heat. However, if you need to discard a mattress, slash it and cut it up, so no one else will want to take it. Before putting anything on the curb, wrap it in heavy-duty plastic and seal it carefully with tape. Add an easy-to-read label that indicates a bed bug problem, so other people won’t pick up the items and bring them home.
Share the bed bug checklist with your hotel staff, daycare workers, and tenants, so they understand how to prepare for the process. Also, encourage residents and employees to report signs of infestation as soon as possible. You might also consider chatting with our experts to learn how to start a pest management plan.
Following these steps lowers the risk of reinfestation after the bed bug extermination process. Contact Western Pest Services right away if you need assistance with insect removal.