- Remove all clutter and unnecessary items from the infested rooms. Bed bugs love to hide in clutter, so removing it will make the bed bug heat treatment more effective.
- Wash all linens, bedding, and clothing in hot water and dry them on high heat for at least 30 minutes. This will kill any bed bugs and their eggs.
- Empty all dressers, nightstands, and closets, and place the contents in sealed plastic bags. This will prevent bed bugs from hiding in these items during the heat treatment.
- Remove all electronics and other heat-sensitive items from the room. Heat treatments can damage electronics and other items that are sensitive to high temperatures.
- Vacuum the infested room thoroughly, paying special attention to seams, cracks, and crevices where bed bugs may be hiding. Dispose of the vacuum bag or contents in a sealed plastic bag.
- Seal any cracks, gaps, or holes in walls, baseboards, and molding to prevent bed bugs from escaping the room during the heat treatment.
- Turn off all air conditioning and heating units in the home.
- Cover any smoke detectors, sprinklers, and other sensitive devices in the room with plastic wrap to prevent them from being damaged by the heat treatment.
- Remove any plants or pets from the infested room.
- Make sure that all windows and doors are closed tightly to prevent heat from escaping.
- Inform the exterminator of any items in the room that cannot withstand high temperatures so that they can be treated with alternative methods.
- Leave the home during the heat treatment and do not return until the exterminator has confirmed that it is safe to do so.