Why preparation matters so much
Bed bugs hide in every crevice: mattress seams, cracks, baseboards, furniture. If those hiding spots are cluttered or out of reach, the product won't reach the insects or their eggs, and the infestation rebounds. Good preparation can account for up to 40 % of a treatment's success.
Clothing, bedding and textiles
This is the most important step, since textiles are perfect refuges.
- Wash at 60 °C or tumble-dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes everything that can take it: clothes, sheets, bedspreads, curtains, covers.
- Once treated, seal these items in tightly closed plastic bags to prevent re-contamination.
- Set aside 7 days of clothing (plus a seasonal coat) to keep separate until the treatment is over.
- Anything that can't be washed or dried: place it in airtight bags and set them in the bathtub (a smooth surface bed bugs can't climb).
Preparing the rooms and furniture
The technician needs access to every wall, baseboard and piece of furniture.
- Empty dresser drawers and the bottom of closets (hangers can stay).
- Clear about 30 cm (1 foot) along the walls to free the baseboards.
- Leave nothing on the floor or on the furniture.
- Pull beds and furniture slightly away from the walls if possible.
- Remove curtains and rugs from infested rooms.
The cleaning to do (and what NOT to do)
Vacuum the floor, baseboards, mouldings and box spring. Then seal the vacuum bag inside a second bag and throw it in the outdoor bin right away.
On the other hand, never use store-bought insecticides (bombs, sprays): they are repellent, scatter the bugs into other rooms and undermine the exterminator's work. To help the product work, raise the room temperature to about 25 °C and close the windows.
Treatment day and after
Plan to leave the home for a few hours (your technician will tell you how long). When you return, air it out. Do not re-wash treated surfaces and keep the follow-up visit: that's what eliminates the eggs that hatch after the first treatment. Staying vigilant in the first weeks makes all the difference.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does preparation take?
From a few hours to a full day depending on the size of the home and the level of infestation. Washing and drying textiles is the longest part — plan it ahead.
Do I have to throw everything out?
No. Most items are saved by washing/drying on high heat or isolating them in airtight bags. Throwing out furniture carelessly mostly spreads the bugs.
Can I stay home during the treatment?
You usually have to leave for a few hours while the product dries. Your technician will give you the exact time to respect.
What happens if I prepare poorly?
The product won't reach every hiding spot and the infestation can return. Preparation is a big part of the result — it's the step not to skip.