Essential Steps for Bed Bug Control: Tenant Preparation and Professional Extermination Services

To protect your home from bed bugs and ensure that an infestation is addressed effectively, the following steps should be taken, especially before and after professional treatment:

  1. Report Early: If you suspect bed bugs, notify your landlord or property management immediately, as early detection is key to preventing a widespread problem.
  2. Preparation for Treatment:
    • Avoid Moving Items: Don’t move belongings between apartments or rooms before treatment. This can spread the infestation.
    • Declutter: Pick up and double-bag loose items, especially in bedrooms, as clutter provides bed bugs with hiding spots. Ensure to clean and inspect these items before returning them.
    • Wash Clothes: Bag clothing that may be infested, wash in hot water, and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes to kill all bed bug stages.
    • Cover Food and Furniture: Protect food in the kitchen and cover tables and counters to avoid contamination. Even though the chemicals used are generally safe, taking this precaution minimizes exposure.
    • Mattress Protection: Rather than discarding your mattress or box spring, invest in a high-quality bed bug-proof encasement to trap any bed bugs inside and prevent new ones from entering.
  3. Vacuuming:
    • Furniture and Floors: Vacuum couches, chairs, and recliners thoroughly, then discard the vacuum bags in an outdoor trash bin immediately.
    • Furniture Drawers: Empty nightstands and dressers next to the bed and follow pest control instructions for cleaning and inspecting them before returning items.
  4. Professional Extermination: Bed bug treatment costs range from $200 to $500, depending on the methods used and the experience of the exterminator. An exterminator can target all stages of the bed bug lifecycle and is the most effective way to eliminate the pests.
  5. Persistent Monitoring: Since bed bugs are skilled hitchhikers and can travel in bags, clothing, or furniture, continue to monitor your home after treatment. If you experience recurring infestations, it may be due to reinfestation from neighboring apartments, so informing the property manager is important.
  6. Exterminator Expertise: A professional exterminator is highly recommended due to their knowledge of bed bug behavior and biology. Look for licensed, experienced pest control providers who utilize an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, combining chemicals, prevention, and sanitation measures for effective and eco-friendly results.

By taking these steps, you can effectively manage and prevent a bed bug infestation, ensuring that your home remains safe and free from these persistent pests.

 

Leave a Comment

Request a Quote Today

Let us know how we can assist you. We’ll respond as quickly as we can