Bed bug check list

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR BED BUG TREATMENT

Bed bugs can be difficult to control when they infest your home unless you do your part. The following are critical to the quick extermination of bed bugs:

______ Don’t move any of your belongings to another home during or before the treatment unless you know they are not infested. You might spread bed bugs to another home or to your car or workplace in a backpack or box and then re-infest your home after it has been treated. Move as few items as possible and have them checked for bed bugs (or heat them) before removing them.

______ Wash all sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and other bedding in hot water. Place the items in a dryer set on the highest setting that won’t damage the items. Dry the items thoroughly and then place them in clean/new trash bags. Keep them separate from items that may be infested. DO NOT REUSE BAGS USED TO TRANSPORT ITEMS TO LAUNDRY MAT

______ Wash all clothing in hot water and then dry on the highest setting that won’t damage the items. Clothing that can’t be laundered and dried (including coats and jackets) can be drycleaned or need to be inspected carefully. Please them in clean/new trash bags. Do not place clothing in infested rooms/areas until treatment has been completed and the bed bugs have been eliminated. DO NOT REUSE BAGS USED TO TRANSPORT ITEMS TO LAUNDRY MAT

______ Place curtains, pillows, towels, stuffed animals, etc., in the dryer set on the highest setting that won’t damage the items for at least 30 minutes. Double bag these items immediately after drying in clean/new trash bags. Keep them separate from items that may be infested. DO NOT REUSE BAGS USED TO TRANSPORT ITEMS TO LAUNDRY MAT

______ Store cleaned and dried items in plastic bags until your home has been treated and the bed bugs eliminated.

______ Vacuum and wash all floors. To prevent bed bugs from escaping, be sure to place the vacuum bag into a plastic bag before disposing of it.

______ A cluttered home is difficult to inspect and more difficult to treat because bed bugs can find many hiding places. Throw away unneeded items. Pick up and double bag all loose items in bedrooms (e.g. in the bottom of a closet) and other rooms that will be treated. Make sure that these items are treated (if needed) or inspected before returning these items to make sure you are not also returning bed bugs to the treated room(s).

______ Provide access to walls, closets, and areas around furniture to allow for a thorough inspection and treatment