How to Prepare for a Bed Bug Treatment

A good bed bug treatment depends partly on the work the technician does and partly on how the property is prepared beforehand. The aim of preparation is simple: give the technician clear access, and avoid anything that spreads bugs around the home. Here is a practical guide for households across Essex.

Before you start: what not to do

It is natural to want to act quickly, but a few well-meant habits make things worse. Do not move furniture or bedding from the infested room into other rooms, and do not carry bags of laundry through the house uncovered. Bed bugs travel on fabric, so every shortcut can create a new hiding place.

Step-by-step preparation

1. Strip the beds and bag the bedding. Place sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases straight into sealed bags in the room where you removed them.
2. Wash and dry on a hot cycle. Wash fabrics at the highest temperature the care label allows, then tumble dry on high for a good length of time, as drying is what does most of the work.
3. Keep clean items sealed. Once washed, store the items in clean, sealed bags or boxes until treatment is complete and the technician says it is fine to unpack.
4. Clear floors and surfaces. Pick up clothing, toys, shoes and clutter from the floor so every skirting board and gap is reachable.
5. Empty bedside tables and drawers if asked. The technician needs to look inside and behind them, so keep contents in sealed bags rather than scattered around.
6. Pull furniture slightly away from walls where you safely can, especially the bed, headboard and wardrobes.
7. Do not spray anything yourself beforehand. Off-the-shelf products can scatter bugs into new places and make the problem harder to treat.
8. Plan for people and pets. Agree where children, other adults and animals will spend the treatment period, and tell us about anyone vulnerable or any health concerns.

Items that need special thought

• Electronics: leave them in place unless advised, but tell the technician about anything delicate.
• Soft toys and cushions: bag them and wash or dry them on a hot cycle where the label allows.
• Items that cannot be washed: mention these on arrival so the technician can suggest a sensible approach.
• Fish tanks and pet bedding: cover tanks and move pets and their bedding as instructed.

What to expect on the day

The technician will begin with an inspection to confirm where the bugs are, then treat the affected rooms using spray and/or heat, as agreed with you beforehand. You will be told how long to stay out of treated rooms and when it is safe to return. Your price is confirmed before the work starts, based on the number of rooms treated, from £295 for one room.

After the treatment

Expect to see a few bugs for a short while afterwards, as eggs may hatch and survivors can emerge. This does not mean the treatment has failed, and a follow-up inspection two to three weeks later is included to check progress. Keep vacuuming regularly, keep clean items sealed until you are told otherwise, and leave treated areas undisturbed.

If bites are troubling you, a pharmacist or GP can advise on soothing them and on any reaction. Skin symptoms on their own cannot confirm bed bugs, which is why the inspection matters.

To book, or to ask what your particular home will need, call 01245 830842. We are based in Chelmsford and cover Essex, and our bed bug control service includes the follow-up visit and a 3-month guarantee on whole-property treatments.

Frequently asked questions