Bed Bug Treatment Preparation: 10 Steps to Get Your Home Ready

The 10 Bed Bug Treatment Preparation Steps

• 1

  Remove Heat-Sensitive Items

  Temperatures of 135–145°F will damage or destroy certain household items. You must remove these from your home before treatment day. Here's what to take out:

  Electronics & Appliances

  • Computer towers and laptops (screens can crack)
  • Televisions
  • Gaming consoles and equipment
  • Printers and office equipment
  • Thermostats and smart home devices
  • Security camera systems

  Personal Care & Household Items

  • Candles, wax, and melting wax products
  • Aerosol cans (deodorant, spray cleaners, air fresheners)
  • Ammunition and firearms
  • Vinyl records and turntables
  • Certain plastics and items with plastic components
  • Cosmetics and liquid products in plastic containers

  Plants & Natural Items

  • All houseplants and flowers
  • Potted plants
  • Herbs and garden plants

  Musical Instruments

  • High-value instruments need special handling (see Step 2)
  • Electronic instruments and amplifiers
  • Instruments with glue or varnish sensitive to heat

  Where to store them: Leave these items at a friend's or family member's house, or rent a climate-controlled storage unit. Do not leave them outside, as outdoor temperature fluctuations can damage them as much as heat treatment.

• 2

  Notify Us About Musical Instruments

  If you own valuable or sensitive musical instruments—especially acoustic guitars, violins, pianos, or instruments made with traditional varnishes—contact us before your treatment date. Some instruments can be professionally heat-treated alongside your home if properly prepared and monitored, while others must be removed.

  Do not assume your instrument can stay. Call (866) 760-0116 to discuss whether your specific instrument qualifies for treatment or needs to be removed. We can guide you on proper storage and help arrange safe handling.

• 3

  Take All Wall Hangings Down

  Remove all artwork, mirrors, decorations, and framed items from walls throughout your home. Bed bugs hide behind picture frames, mirrors, and artwork, so these items must come down to allow heat to penetrate wall spaces.

  What to remove:

  • Framed photographs and artwork
  • Mirrors
  • Wall clocks
  • Floating shelves
  • Decorative plates and wall hangings
  • Wall-mounted TVs
  • Bathroom fixtures (soap dispensers, towel racks)
  • Light fixtures you can safely remove

  Stack items carefully in your garage or a clean, covered area. Make a list or take photos so you remember where everything goes after treatment.

• 4

  Unplug All Electronics

  In addition to removing heat-sensitive electronics, you must unplug all remaining devices and appliances throughout your home. This includes anything with an electrical cord or battery-powered components:

  • Lamps and light fixtures
  • Fans
  • Space heaters
  • Refrigerators and freezers (leave unplugged during treatment)
  • Washers and dryers
  • Dishwashers
  • Microwave ovens
  • Coffee makers and kitchen appliances
  • Chargers for phones and laptops
  • Humidifiers and dehumidifiers

  Your HVAC system will be shut down during treatment, and our team will handle electrical procedures. Unplugging appliances prevents potential damage and fire hazards during the extreme heat.

• 5

  Move Medications and Food to the Refrigerator

  Extreme heat can spoil medications, vitamins, and certain foods. Move temperature-sensitive items to your refrigerator, which will remain cool throughout treatment:

  Medications & Vitamins to Refrigerate

  • Prescription medications (check labels for storage requirements)
  • Over-the-counter medications sensitive to heat
  • Insulin and injectable medications
  • Supplements and vitamins in liquid form
  • Eyedrops and contact lens solution

  Foods to Refrigerate or Remove

  • Chocolate and chocolate products
  • Beeswax products and specialty foods
  • Certain canned goods prone to spoilage
  • Any food in melting-sensitive containers

  Important: Remove all other food items from pantries, cabinets, and countertops. These can be discarded or taken with you for the day. Heat treatment kills any bed bugs hiding in food packaging, but clean-up is easier if you simply remove all non-essential food before treatment starts.

Halfway Through Preparation?

If you're following these steps, you're already taking control of your bed bug problem. Contact us today to schedule your treatment and ensure you complete all preparation steps on time.

📞 Call Now: (866) 760-0116

• 6

  Declutter and Vacuum

  Clutter prevents heat from circulating evenly and creates hiding spots for bed bugs. Remove as much clutter as possible from every room to allow heat to reach walls, floors, and furniture surfaces.

  Decluttering checklist:

  • Remove items from closet floors
  • Clear out under-bed storage and remove box springs if possible
  • Relocate stacks of books, papers, and magazines
  • Remove spare furniture or items leaning against walls
  • Clear kitchen and bathroom cabinets of unnecessary items
  • Remove children's toys and stuffed animals (launder or bag them)
  • Take out decorative items from shelves
  • Remove anything blocking access to baseboards and walls

  After decluttering, vacuum thoroughly throughout your entire home—all floors, carpets, rugs, and under furniture. Vacuuming removes bed bug droppings and debris, and it also removes bed bugs and eggs hiding in carpet fibers. Empty the vacuum into a sealed trash bag immediately after.

  

• 7

  Leave Personal Bags Behind

  Luggage, backpacks, purses, duffels, and other bags can harbor bed bugs. Do not bring these with you on treatment day, as you could accidentally transport bed bugs to a hotel, car, or other location.

  Where to put bags:

  • Leave all luggage and travel bags in your home to be treated
  • Place personal purses, wallets, and daily-use bags in sealed plastic bags before treatment
  • If you have a gym bag or work bag, leave it home to be treated as well
  • Your vehicle is NOT a storage space—do not transfer bags to your car

  The heat treatment will kill bed bugs and eggs hiding in bags' pockets, zippers, and fabric. This is one of the most important steps for preventing re-infestation after treatment.

• 8

  Launder Clothing (But Leave Bed Linens Alone)

  Wash and dry all personal clothing, towels, and textiles you plan to use after treatment. This kills any bed bugs or eggs hiding in fabric. However, there is one critical exception:

  DO NOT launder or remove bed linens, pillows, or mattresses. These must stay on your bed throughout treatment. The heat needs to penetrate deep into mattresses and linens to kill bed bugs at their source. If you remove the mattress, you may miss bed bugs inside, and unnecessary removal can cause damage to your mattress.

  What to launder before treatment:

  • All personal clothing (underwear, socks, pants, shirts, jackets)
  • Pajamas (you'll need clean ones for after treatment)
  • Towels and washcloths
  • Curtains (if removable)
  • Blankets and throws (that are not bed linens)
  • Couch cushions and pillow covers (if removable)
  • Cloth napkins and kitchen towels

  Temperature matters: Wash in hot water and dry on high heat for maximum bed bug elimination. Warm water and gentle cycles may not reach the temperature needed to kill all bed bugs.

  

• 9

  Remove Window and Floor Coverings

  Window treatments and floor coverings can block heat circulation and hide bed bugs. Remove them from your home before treatment:

  Window Coverings to Remove

  • Curtains and drapes
  • Blinds (vertical, horizontal, or cellular)
  • Shades and roller shades
  • Valances and cornices
  • Window treatments attached to walls

  Floor Coverings to Remove

  • Area rugs and throw rugs
  • Runner rugs
  • Washable floor mats
  • Entrance mats and rugs at doors

  Note: Wall-to-wall carpeting does not need to be removed; the heat will penetrate carpet and kill bed bugs hiding in the pile. Removable rugs and floor coverings can be taken with you and laundered afterward if desired. Window coverings can be stored in plastic bags during treatment.

  

• 10

  Plan Your Day Away from Home

  You must vacate your entire home on treatment day. Bed bug heat treatment is not safe for people or pets, and our technicians need unobstructed access to every room. Plan ahead:

  What you need to arrange:

  • Lodging: A hotel, friend's house, or family member's home for the full treatment duration (typically 8 hours)
  • Pets: Board your pets, arrange a pet sitter, or take them to a friend's home. NO pets can remain during treatment
  • Children and family: Make childcare arrangements if needed; no one under 18 should be in the home during treatment
  • Personal items: Pack toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, and important documents for the day
  • Vehicle: You'll need transportation to and from your home

  Before you leave: Do a final walk-through to confirm all windows and doors are unlocked or accessible for our team. Leave your contact number with our technicians so they can confirm when treatment is complete and your home is safe to re-enter.