If you have bedbugs in your home, it will take an effective Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to resolve the issue.
IPM is an environmentally sensitive and common sense approach to pest management. Monitoring and putting preventative measures in place to eliminate entry for pests are examples of IPM approaches.
Bed bugs are not easy to control. There are things you can do to help deal with the problem prior to any formal pest control. If you feel you have an infestation it is recommended that a professional pest control service be contacted. Remember the better the preparation and co-operation with pest control operators; the faster the bed bugs will be controlled.
Once bed bugs are confirmed in your home or rental unit, affected areas must be prepared prior to receiving any treatment from pest control consultants.
- Remove all clutter from areas requiring treatment.
- All clothing items should be placed in garbage bags sealed and emptied directly into the washing machine. The garbage bags used for transporting clothing articles to the laundry room should be discarded outside the premise as they may contain bed bugs.
Its important to launder items using hot water, cold water will not kill bed bugs or their eggs. - All washed clothing, bedding, towels, etc. Must be put through a clothes dryer for a minimum of 20 minutes on high heat. This will kill any bed bugs and eggs that are present.
- When the washing and drying cycles are complete, clean laundry should be placed in new clear garbage bags and sealed untl treatment is complete.
- Move all furniture in affected areas 12-18 inches away from walls. Floors, furniture, and shelves of closets should also be cleared.
- Clear tops off dressers, night tables, etc. Remove all drawers from dressers, night tables, etc. This will allow for better inspection and treatment.
- Check behind pictures or on other wall items. Vacuum if necessary.
- In any room where bed bugs are found, check hard covered books, magazines and papers to ensure no bed bugs are present and place items in garbage bags.
- Do not introduce any new or used furniture or any other potentially infested items not previously in unit.
- Periodically perform an inspection of your home focusing on the sleeping quarters and inspecting the bed and furniture in close proximity to the bed. Never open the box spring or mattress encasement covers. Bed bugs will hide in these areas.
Laundry instructions.
It is necessary that all garments be laundered in hot water (>60c or >140f) or placed into a dryer on the highest setting for a min of 30 minutes(>40c or >104f). The dryer must be capable of reaching a temperature of >40c to kill all stages and not be loaded to more than 50% capacity. All laundered items must remain out of the treatment area during service. Clothing and fabrics associated with beds/sofas cannot be treated with pesticides due to the prolonged contact with skin. It is for this reason that this step is crucial and necessary to ensure the treatment program does not fail with re-introduction of bed bugs from infested clothing.
Don’t forget to vacuum.
- Bed bugs and their eggs can be captured by using the nozzle attachment on your vacuum.
- When finished vacuuming, ensure bags or reservoirs are changed/cleaned out asap. Place in double plastic bags and dispose of directly into garbage bin outside if possible.
- Bed mattresses and box springs. Inspect paying attention to the folds, crevices, and underside. These are locations where bed bugs like to hide.
- Bed frames, inside dressers, cabinets, and drawers.
- Along baseboards, outlets, and perimeters of the room.
- Cloth covered furniture such as sofas. Pay attention to the seams and folds of cushions and underneath the piece of furniture.
- Throw and area rugs.
- Carpets.
- Around and under heavy items such as stoves and fridges.
- Electronics
- Windows, curtains, and blinds. Rise or tie off items such as drapes or blinds so they are not near the floor.
- Door casings and trim.