Preparing your home properly before your bed bug treatment can make a big difference to the success of the service. This checklist explains what you need to do before our visit so we can inspect and treat all affected areas thoroughly.
Please complete the steps below before your appointment.
You, your family, and any pets will need to stay out of the treated area for at least 2 hours after treatment, or longer if we advise otherwise on the day.
Why Preparation Matters
Proper preparation helps us to:
- Access all likely bed bug hiding places
- Reduce the risk of bed bugs spreading to other areas
- Make the treatment more effective
- Improve the chances of a successful outcome after the first visit
Before We Arrive
Wash and heat dry all affected items
Wash all bedding, clothing, curtains, soft furnishings, and other washable fabrics from the affected rooms at the highest temperature the items can safely tolerate.
After washing, dry them on a hot tumble dryer cycle where possible. This includes bed linen, pillowcases, duvets, clothing, towels, soft toys, pet bedding, and washable fabrics stored near the bed.
Once cleaned and dried, place items into clean sealed plastic bags or sealed containers and keep them sealed until we advise otherwise.
Bag up items from furniture and storage areas
Empty items from wardrobes, chest of drawers, bedside tables, shelves, desks, and cupboards in affected rooms.
Seal the contents in plastic bags or containers to prevent bed bugs spreading. Do not move loose items from room to room without bagging them first.
Empty wardrobes fully
No items should remain in wardrobes in affected rooms unless we have specifically advised otherwise. Bed bugs often hide in clothing, seams, storage boxes, and cracks around shelving.
Prepare beds properly
Strip all bedding from the bed.
Remove any mattress protectors or covers unless they are proper bed bug proof encasements already installed for bed bug control.
Stand mattresses upright if possible so we can inspect and treat them properly.
If your divan or base has drawers, empty them fully.
If there is a thin fabric backing on the underside of a divan base, this may need to be removed before treatment if safe to do so, as bed bugs often hide inside these voids.
Move furniture away from walls
Pull large furniture away from walls and skirting boards by around 60 cm where possible.
This includes beds, sofas, wardrobes, chest of drawers, and bedside tables.
This gives us access to skirting boards, bed frames, and other common harbourage areas.
Vacuum thoroughly
Vacuum carpets, rugs, floors, bed frames, skirting boards, and the edges of rooms carefully.
Use the crevice tool around bed frames, mattress edges, skirting boards, sofas, chairs, and cracks and joints in furniture.
After vacuuming, empty the vacuum contents into a bag, seal it, and dispose of it outside the property straight away.
Leave luggage empty and accessible
Any luggage, suitcases, or travel bags used recently should be emptied and left available for inspection. Bed bugs are often brought in through travel items.
Remove items from walls if near sleeping areas
Take down pictures, mirrors, and wall hangings close to beds or sofas in affected rooms and place them on the floor in the same room so they can be inspected if needed.
Prepare shoes and non washable items
Place shoes, bags, and other non washable personal items into sealed plastic bags or containers.
If footwear can safely go in the tumble dryer, run it on a hot setting first before sealing.
Items that cannot be washed may need alternative treatment. In some cases, dry cleaning may be suitable.
Do not throw furniture away without asking us first
In most cases, infested furniture can be treated and does not need to be thrown away.
If you do decide to dispose of an item, wrap it before moving it through the property, mark or damage it clearly so nobody else takes it, and speak to us first if you are unsure.
Throwing items away too early can spread the infestation and make the problem worse.
On the Day of Treatment
People and pets must leave during treatment
All people and pets must remain out of the treated area during treatment and for at least 2 hours afterwards, or longer if advised.
Fish tanks, reptile enclosures, and other sensitive animals must be covered securely or removed from the treatment area where possible. Air pumps or filtration systems connected to aquariums should be switched off during treatment if advised.
Leave treated items sealed afterwards
Do not unpack bagged laundry, clothing, or stored items until we tell you it is the right time to do so. Reintroducing untreated or exposed items too early can affect the treatment result.
Follow Up Treatment
Bed bug treatments often require at least two visits, depending on the level of activity and the treatment method being used.
We will explain the treatment plan clearly and let you know when your follow up visit is due.
Important Notes
- Do not move unbagged items from one room to another
- Do not sleep in a different room unless we advise you to do so
- Do not use shop bought insect sprays before or after our treatment unless we tell you to
- Do not start deep cleaning treated areas straight after the visit, as this can affect residual products
Need Help Before Your Appointment?
If you are unsure about any part of the preparation, contact us before your appointment and we will guide you through it.
Bugwise Pest Control
0208 914 7919
info@bugwise.co.uk
For more information about our professional service, visit our Bed Bug Treatment page. If you have any questions before your appointment, please contact Bugwise Pest Control.
