Most exterminators will do a very detailed job when treating a home for bed bugs and other pests. For this reason, it is essential to properly know how to prepare for exterminator for bed bugs treatments to ensure the most effective and long lasting results.
How to Prepare for Exterminator for Bed Bugs - Removing All Pests
The main importance is to give the exterminator access to the many areas that are not only infested but could be a source for bed bugs to originate and migrate to and from. Note that exterminators will not treat a home that has not been properly prepared for them to work in.
Furniture Prep
- All furniture needs to be pulled away from the walls at least 2 feet to give access to baseboards and carpeting that touches the wall.
- Bookcases and shelves need to be emptied and cleared of all books and other items, then those items should be placed in the center of the living room.
- Mattresses and box springs need to be standing up against the wall.
- Closets and dressers need to be emptied and contents should be placed in plastic bags and put in the center of the living room.
- Pull out linen drawers if at all possible for treatment.
- Sleeping sofas, foldable beds and futons should be opened or layed flat in order to be treated.
- Unplug everything in the rooms being treated.
Laundry Prep
- Wash clothing and linens in the highest temperature possible to ensure killing of any bedbugs in these items.
- If not possible to wash in high temperature, dry in the dryer at a high temperature for at least 30 minutes and discard of any lint in the lint trap right away.
- Keep all cleaned linen and clothing in a plastic bag or plastic airtight container and kept in the center of the living room.
- If clothing or linens cannot be washed at home, take to the dry cleaner.
Vacuum
- Before the exterminator gets there, vacuum the floors, carpets and area rugs. Go over these areas multiple times and in various directions.
- Vacuum mattresses thoroughly and go over the seams, crevices and handles multiple times.
- Vacuum baseboards, box springs, sofas, futons and other furniture that is stuffed and can house bed bugs.
- Empty out vacuum immediately and into an outside trash can or dumpster.
Post Treatment
After the extermination treatment, it is recommended that you and your family stay out of the home for at least 4 to 6 hours to give the furniture to dry and allow your home to air out of chemicals used. After the initial treatment, a follow up is usually scheduled in 2 to 3 weeks.
During the follow up inspection, if a large amount of bed bugs are still residing in your furniture, the exterminator may recommend that you throw some items out. It’s best to cooperate with the specialist and the instructions given as much as you can to avoid having to repeat treatments and follow up inspections whether it be inside or outside of your home.
Bottom Line
Although this is a laborious and time consuming task for homeowners, it is essential for the health of your home and family to properly know how to prepare for exterminator for bed bugs. With appropriate preparations, you can ensure that your home is being treated with precision and care with no obstacle.
Comments(4)