1 Remove Heat-Sensitive Items

Some household items can be damaged by the high temperatures used in treatment. Remove the following and place them in boxes labeled "Do Not Heat":

• Candles, crayons, lipstick, and other wax products
• Pressurized cans (hairspray, spray paint, cleaners)
• Ammunition and firearms
• Fire extinguishers
• Printer cartridges
• Vinyl records, cassette tapes, DVDs, and Polaroid photos
• Flammable materials (butane lighters, solvents, lamp fuel)
• Houseplants

All people and pets must leave the home during treatment. Leave pet bedding, kennels, and toys behind — these need to be treated too.

2 Notify Us About Musical Instruments

Pianos, guitars, violins, and other instruments are valuable and may need special handling. Let us know about any instruments in your home before treatment day so our technicians can plan accordingly. Leave instruments in their cases — these areas also need to be inspected and treated.

3 Take All Wall Hangings Down

Picture frames, mirrors, paintings, and decorative wall hangings are excellent hiding spots for bed bugs. Remove everything from your walls and place items on the floor, leaning against the wall. This exposes the backs of frames where bed bugs may be hiding and allows heat to penetrate around them fully.

4 Unplug All Electronics

Go room by room and unplug all small electronics: phone chargers, TVs, laptops, desk lamps, gaming consoles, and similar items. High treatment temperatures can affect their operation.

Large appliances can stay plugged in. Also note the location of any fire sprinklers or heat sensors in your home and let your technician know.

5 Move Medications and Food to the Refrigerator

Place the following items in your refrigerator to protect them from heat:

• All prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Vitamins and supplements
• Perishable food items
• Wine, liquor, and other beverages

Move toiletry items (lotions, soaps, makeup) from drawers into your sink or bathtub so they're accessible but out of direct heat zones.

6 Declutter and Vacuum

Clutter gives bed bugs more hiding spots and prevents heat from distributing evenly. Before treatment:

• Organize piles of papers, books, and magazines
• Clear items from under beds and off floors
• Put loose items in their proper places
• Vacuum all floors, including under furniture and along baseboards

Our high-volume fans circulate heated air throughout your home. Loose papers and lightweight items left out can be displaced. The cleaner and more organized your space, the more effectively the heat will penetrate.

7 Leave Personal Bags Behind

When you leave the home on treatment day, take only what fits in your pockets or a simple plastic bag. Leave behind:

• Purses, backpacks, and briefcases
• Diaper bags and tote bags
• Luggage and suitcases (especially if you've traveled recently)
• Wheelchairs and walkers (arrange a rental if needed)

All of these items can harbor bed bugs and need to be treated. Wear freshly laundered clothing when you leave.

8 Launder Clothing (But Leave Bed Linens Alone)

For clothing in drawers and closets: If items are densely packed, remove them and place in open-weave baskets so heat can circulate. Loosely hung or folded clothing can stay in place.

Critical rules:

• Do NOT put clothing in sealed plastic bags — this blocks heat from reaching the bugs
• Do NOT strip bed linens before treatment — this can scatter bed bugs to other areas
• Leave sheets, blankets, pillows, and comforters on the bed
• Place loose blankets and pillows in open-weave baskets

9 Remove Window and Floor Coverings

Bed bugs hide in curtain folds, blinds, and area rugs. Before treatment:

• Drapes and curtains: Remove and launder, then lay flat in the treatment area
• Blinds and shutters: Remove and lay flat on the floor (not on the bed)
• Area rugs: Roll up and stand on end so heat can reach the floor underneath

10 Plan Your Day Away from Home

Schedule your treatment on a day when everyone — family members, guests, and all pets — can be out of the home for the full duration:

• Treatment time: Typically 6–8 hours
• Cool-down period: 1–2 hours after treatment ends
• Your technician will contact you when it's safe to return

When you return, some surfaces (door knobs, toilet seats, metal or glass surfaces) may still be warm. Keep children and pets away from hot surfaces and open windows or turn on AC to speed cooling.