Bed bugs are persistent pests. They hide in tight spaces, multiply quickly, and can be difficult to eliminate without expert treatment.
Professional bed bug services are designed to target infestations at the source. With a little preparation ahead of your appointment, you can help the treatment work more efficiently and reduce the chances of lingering activity.
This checklist outlines exactly what to do to get your space ready to ensure the best results.
Launder Your Bedding and Clothing
Bed bugs often hide in linens, clothing, and soft furnishings—especially near sleeping areas. Washing and drying these items on high heat can kill some bugs and their eggs ahead of treatment.
Start with the items closest to where you sleep, then work outward. Wash sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and clothing in hot water. Then dry them on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes.
Store cleaned items in sealed plastic bags or bins. Make sure they stay separated until the treatment is finished. This keeps cleaned items safe from any remaining bed bugs.
Put Away Clutter
The fewer places bed bugs can hide, the more effective the treatment will be. Clutter gives them cover and makes it harder for your technician to reach critical areas, like around beds and nightstands.
Work through one room at a time, starting with your bedroom. Be methodical as you pick up.
Focus on:
- Collecting items from the floor, like clothes, shoes, books, and cords.
- Emptying out bins or baskets near the bed and place them outside the room.
- Moving things off nightstands and clear out your under-bed storage.
- Removing stacks of books near sleeping areas.
- Bagging or boxing loose items and store them in a bathtub or another clean space.
Empty Drawers or Closets as Needed
Bed bugs don’t just stay on mattresses. They often retreat into clothing, linens, and stored items in nearby drawers and closets. These areas should be emptied so your technician can treat them effectively.
Pay close attention to storage areas near soft furnishings like beds, couches, armchairs, and even curtains.
Remove items from the drawers or closet shelves and seal them in plastic bags or bins. If possible, run clothing through the dryer on high heat before bagging.
Label each bag, so you know what’s clean and what isn’t when it comes time to put everything back again.
Check That Access Is Clear
To do a thorough job, your technician needs easy access to common bed bug hiding spots. That includes baseboards, furniture edges, and the areas under and around beds, couches, and chairs.
Even small items can block access and limit how well the treatment works.
- Pull beds, couches, and recliners several inches away from the walls
- Move furniture away from baseboards and wall edges
- Clear the floors under and around furniture
- Unplug and coil cords so they’re out of the way
- Remove anything stacked against furniture legs or frames
Think about what it takes to move around your space easily. If you’d trip over something in the dark, it probably needs to go.
Once the space is clear and open, leave it that way until the treatment is complete.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
Your prep work plays a big role in the success of your treatment. With everything ready to go, our team can focus on what we do best: eliminating bed bugs and restoring your peace of mind.
