Bed Bugs Steam Treatment

We use commercial grade steamers (240 degrees). We spend 4 to 8 hours steaming, then apply a chemical treatment as a crack and crevice treatment, drilling small holes in walls and precisionally applying dust with an electric duster. The customer is given Nuvan strips to be placed in sealed containers (or bags) at the time of the first treatment. 95% to 100% elimination is achieved on the first treatment. There is one follow up inspection 3 weeks after initial treatment and any needed applications of chemical treatments are completed at that time. As long as the customer follows all instructions, 100% control is achieved.

Pre-treatment preparation

Proper preparation is mandatory for control to be effective. Follow the preparation sheet provided. We recommend not discarding or moving any furniture until it is treated. Throwing away furniture will not get rid of all bed bugs, as they are professional hiders.

Favorite hiding spots for bed bugs:

• Mattress
• Pillows
• Box Springs
• Bed Frames
• Headboards
• Picture Frames
• Cardboard Boxes
• Dressers
• Clothing
• Couches
• Chairs

Clutter is one of the top reasons for not getting rid of bed bugs for good. Clutter provides infinite hiding places for bed bugs to reside and lay eggs, making it next to impossible to get rid of your infestation. Do your best to eliminate clutter.

Laundry

Everything that can be laundered, should be laundered per the following outlined steps:

• In advance of the treatment, 3 weeks of clothing should be laundered, double dried, and placed in a sealed tote or plastic bag.
• Only clothing that has been laundered should be worn.
• If using plastic bags, it is recommended to use the contractor bags, as these are heavier and less likely to rip.
• All other clothing should be bagged up and sealed tightly and can be laundered at any time during the treatment.
• Dispose of the original bag.
• If treatment is completed, these items of clothing can be put back into closets or drawers. If treatment is not yet finished, these items of clothing should be put into new bags and sealed.
• DO NOT place any clothing in closets or drawers until the full treatment is completed.

Do Not Change Where You Sleep or Temporarily Leave Your Home.

Some believe they can avoid bed bugs by sleeping in a different area of their home. If you move, the bed bugs will move with you, and you will potentially have a problem in two locations now. Even if you move out, you risk bringing the bed bugs with you and infesting that area. Although the idea may sound terrible, it's best to continue sleeping in the infested areas until the bed bugs are gone. Mattress covers and the treatment plan can limit the bites dramatically.

Why Are Bed Bugs So Hard To Control?

Bed bugs are difficult to detect early in an infestation. You often may not realize that you have a bed bug problem, at least not until it has become widespread. People often mistake bites for mosquitos or fleas. Some people show absolutely no symptoms of the bites. The bed bug evolutionary process has allowed them to be incredibly good at hiding.

Bed bugs may move to other areas and also re-infest treated rooms. They can re-infest treated rooms by hitchhiking back on clothing, bags, etc. Also, they can migrate between rooms and apartments through pipe and wiring runs and through wall and ceiling voids.

Post-Treatment

Bed bugs can often be seen alive for up to two weeks following treatment of a dwelling, although not in great numbers (e.g., only one or two). It is important to continue to monitor for bed bugs after the initial treatment.