Bed Bug Preparation Guide
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Getting ready for a Bed Bug Treatment
In this article, we will discuss the exact methods you will need in order to thoroughly prepare you prior to a pest control personnel arrival at your home or business, and ultimately rid them of bed bugs.
Interestingly enough, the most common mistake many people make is trying to solve the pest problem based on one’s own knowledge and means. In effect, this usually intensifies the issue by causing the pest population to expand in most cases! It would behoove you to actually contact pest experts, such as an NYC bed bug exterminator, and let them take care of this problem.
Consider this: bed bug prevention and extermination procedures are so demanding, it is almost like a life choice. They are more tough and resistant than any other pest you can think of! Fear not, for this article will show you the most benefiting and ultimately successful ways and tactics to ensure you are the victor in this fight with bed bugs by getting an NYC bed bug inspection and treatment.
People must work together for ensured success!
Be prepared to be committed and drained when tackling bed bugs in your home during an NYC bed bug treatment. Get relatives and associates to assist you. Take proper care of the steps you take, then do them right at all costs. There are no shortcuts in the matter, everything must be done meticulously. Follow exact directions and counsel given by the experts on bed bugs to achieve desired results.
To get into detail, here are some specific procedures you may undergo. Of course, the professionals will arrive at the site of the infestation. Most, if not all step taken before can and will be repeated by the people showing up at your home for the treatment. This is necessary for thorough inspection and again, success. When in doubt just do it again. A time commitment is perhaps the greatest sacrifice one will make in this effort. Not to worry, it will all prove to be worth the time.
These pests are extremely difficult to get ride of, in most cases repetition is an absolute must if you want a bed bug free environment. There is no other option. To fully live at peace from them, allow time and effort for the benefit of you and anyone who may enter your home and use the appliances there. In the long-term though, your home or business will be rid of the pests. Even though following this rule will be your best shot at success, it is not guaranteed that you will not fail.
If you haven't heard yet bed bugs are all the rage, especially an NYC bed bug inspection. It seems as though everyone is up to their eye balls in bed bug advice as well as information on how not to bring bed bugs home and how to kill them. Fortunately, there are posts how to prepare for bedbugs. Aside from the actual application of an insecticide, preparation for an NYC bed bug treatment is probably the single most important bit of information you can have.
Now for an in-depth look at the procedure on preparation:
The fact of the matter is that bed bugs have become so hard to control that and resistant that pre-emption and long term vigilance are the only ways that now make sense.
It is important that when started to process, that one should begin with the bed first and foremost. Measure your bed and box spring in all dimensions and the room(s) that it is located in.
- Before the inspection, remove all added fabric and accessories on and near the whole bed. This includes clothes, toys, pillows, sheets and so on. As a matter of fact, not only should you remove the items from on and around the bed, but rather the whole room and under the bed. Remember, the bed bugs will spread from object to another and from one home to another. Be especially cautious with items with cloth and thread because these will more likely have a higher risk of bed beg infestation unless of course, it is already too late. Do not be hesitant when removing items, bed bugs can be anywhere even places that you would never normally suspect. It is not just the bed or what is on or around it that is at risk, it is actually your whole house! At any rate, be sure that if you suspect something, to then appropriately take the necessary steps in dealing with it.
- Clean and wash all things that you suspect may have come in contact with the critters if at all possible with hot water, and dry cleaning with the appropriate fabrics that will not be ruined by the method of cleaning that you choose. When dealing with special fabrics like linen, follow the care instruction carefully to protect the quality of the garment thus preventing ruin. Certain material may be steam appropriately as some may be too large or rough to clean in a washer.
- Be sure to effectively and completely empty every single storage area in your home, everywhere! There shall be no excuses or exceptions in this rule. All must go! Whether the items where used or not, as long as they have been in your living space they must be removed and clean as excellent as one could manage to clean it and removed promptly. Items in other rooms must also be dealt with in this manner. By adhering to these guidelines perfectly, you would thus kill off all remaining bed bug eggs, adults and young ones alike, and bed bug nymphs hiding in these impossible to reach areas and appliances. The bed bugs will definitely lie in places you would not even care to think of which is part of the reason they are so difficult to remove and prevent. You can have bed bugs and not even have the slightest clue.
- When the cleaning and removing procedures have been completed, place all items that are dried out completely into sealed off containers, not back to their original position. Do not be fooled, bed bugs are extremely sneaky and will not hesitate to re-enter your newly cleaned belongings, therefore make sure nothing can enter the container you choose to keep them in until the whole process is completed. The bed bugs also know whether or not there are harmful toxins and pesticides in the items.
Electronics
Bed bugs are commonly known for their existence in electrical sockets so it would also be wise to unplug all electrical devices around the rooms that are being treated for bed bugs, if not the whole house thus making the process less hard for NYC bed bug exterminators. It is also good to vacuum with severe detail and cleaning accessories. Clean out the smallest holes, cracks, and crevices because the bed bugs love these areas and can very well be hiding in them.
Another helpful reminder is to remove all hanging pictures and vacuum them. Leave them out also to be treated by the specialist and technicians.
Home furniture and appliances
- If you have a carpeted area or a rug then be sure that it is steam cleaned. Also use the steam cleaner to clean sofa, chair, pillow cushions and anything else that can be cleaned this way without being damaged. You can even go into bedrooms and use the hand attachment to further clean items such as bed mattresses and box springs.
- Make sure there are considerably large amounts of spacing from all the walls of the area to be treated. Do this to provide enough maneuverability for the experts. So for example, if you have your bed against a wall, you may want to separate it from the wall with enough room for inspection and treatment.
- Be sure that your vacuum cleaner actually works and has a few useful attachments on it. When the vacuuming has been completely done, carefully discard the possibly infected vacuum bags in plastic bags so the critters will never have a chance of escaping. In addition to this, you may want to vacuum twice over the same areas to ensure cleanliness, especially when it comes to beds and box spring frames. It is good to try and spot blood stains and harborage locations.
All about the bed
Make sure you take accurate measures of your bed and box spring for use by the exterminator to seal the bed after treatment with the right sheaths. Also be sure to just by a new mattress if the one you have is no longer in a good reliable state. Even so, the new bed will still have to be treated thoroughly.
Wood, metal and hard appliances
Be sure to also thoroughly remove items from every piece of hard furniture that can store things. Whether it is in or around the item(s), turnover said furniture if at all possible and clean with a properly working vacuum cleaner.
The Smell of Bed Bugs
If you were to happen to take a deep breath near infested areas you may notice a pungent near death like order. Being familiar with that scent is a good way to be able to identify areas that may be infested with Bed Bugs. NYC bed bug exterminators are experts and can immediately identify bed bug odor.
A handy tool to keep around the home is a firm bristled scrub brush. By dabbing the tips in warm water the brush can be used to losing up grimy areas that can be havens for bed bugs and their gooey egg placements. These areas can be difficult to visually see and the scrub brush is great at removing these hard to see egg nest without damaging furniture. This type of attention to detail can go a long way in preparing your home for the arrival for the Professional Pest Control Specialist.
Something to remember: Once you have completed the task of vacuuming around your furniture. It is vital to keep it away from walls with ample space for Exterminators to access.
Outside the Room Infested with Bed Bugs
- 1. Using a bristled attachment on your vacuum is the perfect way to insure that any dug in or trapped bed bug eggs can be properly loosened for removal. Focusing on the outer limits of hallways, bathrooms, bedrooms, closets and other living areas should be priority.
- 2. Take care not to leave any peripheries un-vacuumed. In order to remove debris vacuum up any loose eggs or bed bugs, and make those areas ready for full bed bug treatment as described, ensuring all vacuum bags are double sealed in heavy duty plastic bags. Tying them by using a strong contractor, or duct tape, if necessary to properly seal them. You want to make sure that there is no chance of reinfection! Bed bugs reproduce at explosive rates, in mathematical terms their numbers grow geometrically or exponentially.
Universal Preparation for Treatment, The Big Picture
Generally almost as a rule, Bed Bugs tend to hide and congregate in difficult to reach areas such as in the middle of the boards of wooden furniture and in box springs, couches, bottom part of drawers, in spots you might have never thought of before! Bed bugs like the wood on the underside of furniture because it is sometimes coarser, especially on desks, tables, coffee tables, television stands, bed frames, nightstands, art, walling hangings and photo frames, and they absolutely like mattresses and box springs, as you already know from reading our Bed Bug Preparation Guide.
Travel: Bed Bugs are Global Travelers
Our Travel Recommendations guide is excellent reading even for those who do not travel, even those who are thinking about an NYC bed bug inspection in their homes.
When Traveling and being a Tourist: It’s vitally important that the mattresses and beds be visually examined before sleeping or placing any of your belongings on them; it would also be extremely prudent to inspect your luggage thoroughly before returning home. Your luggage is a five-star hotel for bed bugs! Wrapping and storing your luggage in premium grade black contractor bags when not in 
use can prevent your luggage from becoming a Five Star Hotel for Bed Bugs. Failing to do this can make it easy for you to inadvertently transport bed bugs to your home as well as spread them to other locations. An alternate suggestion would be to consider retaining your clothes within your packed luggage when you travel, and protect that luggage in a large plastic bag.
Anywhere there are people lounging and sleeping. These Bed Bugs have an opportunity to live and breed. Being transported between hotels, boarding houses, motels etc… by humans only makes life easier for them in this regard.
We are in the mist of the biggest worldwide bed bug epidemic in the last 60 years. The ease of global travel via, trains, plains, automobile, boats and etc… has made the bed bug a worldwide nuisance.
A Synopsis of Bed Bug Invasion!
There are a number of ways and circumstances that can breed opportunity for bed bugs to invade your home. Inadvertent transport from motels, hotels, guest housing and various other dwelling places are the most common. Acquiring used second hand furniture that hasn’t been properly inspected is another method. One situation that is often overlooked is Bed Bugs escaping from a neighbor’s home that have been recently treated, requiring a bed bug treatment in all the boroughs ranging from New York to Staten Island. The surviving bedbugs can migrate to your home in an effort to escape what they would consider a sinking ship.
Make a preemptive strike against Bed Bugs
Post Treatment Reminders
- Leaving your home for at least 4 (four) hours after the NYC bed bug treatment will give your home ample time for most treatments to take their course.
- If you are using a liquid treatment. Be sure that all upholstered furniture is completely 100% dry before using them in any way to avoid exposing yourself to the chemicals in the treatment.
- It would be wise to order your Bed Bug Mattresses, Box Spring and Pillow case Covers in advance. This will be a good way to ensure that the measurements are exact and everything fits as expected.
Post Treatment Follow Up: Bed bugs are champion survivors with a near unmatched level of resilience. A follow up treatment would not only be highly recommended by pretty much expected in order to insure that the bed bug pest have been eradicated.
Keeping your clutter to a minimum and or sealed in heavy contractor bags as well as vacuuming often are just a couple of the post treatment steps necessary to keep awareness of these unwanted pest front and center. Preventing Bed Bugs from climbing by using double sided tape, sealing your bed mattress, pillow and box springs is absolutely necessary immediately after bed bug treatment. Wrapping the double sided tape around the legs of your various furnishings such as sofas, chairs, loveseats, beds, etc… can assist with detecting bed bugs as well as prevent them from re infecting your belongings. Upholstered furnishings are a typical Hot Spot for them so it would be important to keep an eye on these furnishings in particular.
Bed Bugs Will Climb Up Walls And Ceilings To Get to You!
Bed Bugs can be quite persistent and creative when trying to get to you and your belongings. It is not uncommon for them to traverse up walls and use the ceiling as a method of diving into your bed to gain access to their human food supply. This is another area where the double sided tape can assist with containing or at least impeding their efforts. Applying the tape around the borders of your room at approximately eye level will provide a keen method of detecting whether or not bed bugs have been trying to get to you via the Sky Dive method.
A trip to your local hardware store will not only supply you with the double sided tape but can provide you with the wall outlet safety blockers. Often considered a child proofing device, these wall plugs can keep outlets sealed therefore preventing bed bugs from entering your home or room via one of their favorite hiding areas.
Be sure to purchase wall-socket blockers with the correct fit, to seal your sockets tightly.
Inspecting and taking note of any obvious broken seals or cracks in your walls before your trip to the hardware store. If your landlord allows purchasing a sealing gun for sealing these cracks in baseboards, wall moldings and possibly the floor boards if there are cracks visible there as well. Taking these steps could further prevent infestation.
Homeowners are generally in position to hire additional help to assist in taking these bed bug preventive measures. It is generally considered a multi person task that is best done as a group effort.
What Are Climb up Interceptors?
For about $5-$6 a piece you can purchase Bed Bug traps called Climb Up Interceptor Dishes. These traps work in the manner as other bug traps by allowing the Bed Bugs to climb in but preventing them from climbing out there for creating a bearer between them and your belongings. You can also use them as a visual inspection tool to monitor level of infestation in your home.
Allowing Clutter to Increase in your home can raise chances of infestation.
Collecting Miscellaneous items in your home such as old books, various items of clothing, trinkets, odd knickknacks etc… in other words things that are regularly used can become havens for bed bugs. To prevent these perpetual breeding grounds from developing, it’s imperative that these items be properly sealed. Developing a pack rat frame of mind is almost a sure fire way to create the happy playground environment that these bed bugs can thrive in.
Sealing It Is The Most Effective Policy
Unnecessary clutter should be organized and sealed if not in regular use. A well-organized sparsely furnished home is less likely to create a natural Bed Bug breeding environment than an overly furnished home with more places for Bed Bugs to hide and breed.
Repetitiveness Is The Big View
Again, the outlet blockers are a great way to seal and prevent bed bugs from coming in through the openings in wall outlets. Inspecting and making sure all cracks and crevices are properly sealed regularly as well as properly sealing containers and unused personal items and clothing. Using these preventive measures regularly can go a long way in fortifying your home against these pesky invaders.
Important Tips and Reminders about Post Treatment
- White bedding although not very sexy can be a key asset in your war against bed bugs. Dark and colored patterned sheets can make detecting the evidence of bed bugs such as blood stains and bed bug feces difficult. With white sheets these indicators can be clear as a bell.
- Keeping a few inches of distance between the wall and your bed can assist in keeping bed bugs from easily getting into your bed with you.
- Keeping your other furniture a moderate distance from walls can also be beneficial. Every non-descript way you can make it more difficult for bed bugs to infest your belongings the better it will be for you in the long run.
- Asthmatics as well as people with other respiratory problems should stay away from treated homes for a minimum of at least 24hours, as opposed to the 4-5 hour period after treatments.
- With the practice of using double-sided tape around bed post legs. It would be prudent to be certain that there are no sheets or blankets hanging too far over the side creating an easy bridge/ladder that could allow the bed bugs to circumvent the tape or even the Climb Interceptors.
We Have A Long Term Maintenance Prevention Program
The resilience coupled with the persistence of bed bugs makes it extremely difficult to exterminate. The information we provide along with additional pointers on our website can give you the fighting chance you need to rid your home of these pest or contacting an NYC bed bug exterminator.
Our technicians, all skilled in NYC bed bug inspection, take pride in their work making you and your home a priority. Your home and other belongings are treated with respect and your satisfaction is the barometer of which we gauge our success. By recommending us to an acquaintance, friend or even a family member that may have an infestation would be proof positive that we have met every expectation that you have of us eradicating your home from Bed Bugs!
Prior to the Exterminator's Arrival
Bed bugs are very hard to control. They hide in beds, closets, wood furniture, behind pictures, in small spaces in the wall… so inspections and treatments have to be near perfect. The professionals need your help to control bed bugs correctly. Before an NYC bed bug inspection, remove all sheets, covers, mattresses and pillowcases and wash. Do not put them back on the bed until the evening after you receive the bed bug help.
Your closets must be empty. Make sure to empty all dressers and night stand drawers in your bedroom. Remove belongings in these areas and store them in a remote area. Dresser drawers and nightstands must be empty. Get every single item from the floor. Make it as clean as possible. Place items in the living room.
All things must go! Place the clean items into storage bins and garbage bags. Store them in the living room until after treatment.
Vacuum floors and inside closets, dressers, and bed stands. Also vacuum mattresses and box springs then get rid of the vacuum garbage bag. Make sure professional can get into all spaces of the room. If you can, move all things as far away from the walls as possible for more effective cleaning.
Make sure there are no animals or people in the apartment during the process and at least a few hours after the process. It is a good idea to ask the technician when things and people are allowed back inside. Bed bugs very sneaky insects. They live in the dark hard to see and reach places, crevices, and holes around where one sleeps. They center the infestations near your mattress or sleeping area. In heavier infestations, bugs move out to occupy hiding places that a further and further away from the bed too!. Bed bugs can hide in beds, some furniture, clothing, school bags and similar conveniences. They can live for half a year without being fed.
The easiest way for the parasites to come into your home is for you, your family, or your friends to bring them in without even knowing it. Bed bugs are the perfect hitch-hikers. These are a few ways that you could bring bed bugs into your home or anywhere else, often requiring an NYC bed bug treatment:
-Picking up used items on the street and bring it to your home
- On some mattress that was previously used
-Visiting someone who has the critters and transporting them on your clothing or other personal items
-Children playing together from home to home can also easily be a means of transportation for bed bugs to infest more areas
-Staying or sleeping in an infested hotel room or inn can bring bed bugs into your luggage
-Renting furniture with bed bugs and bringing them home also adds to the problem
-Buying second-hand furniture, carpets, covers, baggage, picture frames and appliances from stores, garage sales, auctions, and second hand stores is not smart for preventing bed bugs
Bed bugs can also migrate from one apartment to others using pipe runs and wiring runs, and through holes and crevices in the ceilings just the way cockroaches use this method.
There are many different things you can do to make it much harder for the parasites to pollute your bed:
Vacuum your bedroom everyday mainly the bed and whatever surrounds the bed. Reduce clutter; do not keep piles shoes, clothes or covers on the floor or under your bed. They make the perfect hiding places for the bed bugs, invest in some quality bed bug proof mattress encasement and wrap them around your box spring and mattress. The encasement traps any hiding parasites inside the mattress and box spring to prevent them from attacking you or anyone in that area including animals. This way you can also gather them easier and more effectively and halter reproduction and feeding. It will also help your NYC bed bug exterminator serve you better when the time comes for your bed bug inspection.