You Found Bed Bugs – Now What?

How to Prep for a Bed Bug Treatment

Your bed should be a sleep sanctuary, not the cause of itchy bed bug bites, so naturally detection of bed bugs might have you turn your house inside out and upside down. Unfortunately, while this reaction may feel appropriate in the moment, it can actually cause more damage. Our Western Pest experts share three guidelines for how to prep for bed bug removal.

Preserve the Evidence

Before you throw out your new mattress and favorite reading chair, take the time to assess the situation and prep for an

exterminator. Moving the infested items can actually spread bed bugs. So, rather than emptying your home, document the evidence. Take a photo of the bed bugs, and if you can, save one in a plastic bag or Tupperware container. This way, when you call an expert in discreet bed bug treatment, they know what to expect and where to start – ensuring a much more effective process.

Call an Expert

Don’t let the temptation of do-it-yourself pest control keep you from bringing in an expert. Having an expert handle your bed bug situation will not only save you time, but it will also save you money in the long run. There is currently no effective DIY treatment for bed bugs, despite the number of products available on the market. Oftentimes, those products can exacerbate the problem, not to mention give you a false sense of security. Plus, pest control experts are just that: experts. They can address your bed bug problem quickly, efficiently, and discreetly, so you don’t have to worry about your nosy neighbor sharing your business with the rest of the block.

Prepare Your Home

After an expert has inspected your home, you can finally begin the bed bug prep you have been itching to start. Depending on your needs and the advice of a pest control specialist, your bed bug preparation often includes collecting, cleaning, and, once complete, protecting. First, collect all cloth items, such as pillows, sheets, bed skirts, and clothing, and sort machine washable and dry-clean only items separately in plastic bags. Next, remove any potential pest hiding spots by decluttering areas under beds and in drawers. Taking these precautions will help ensure the best results when your bed bug extermination process is complete. Lastly, remember to protect your home from future problems by investing in bed bug encasements for your mattresses and pillows.

Before your bed bug problem becomes an infestation, take a moment to prepare yourself for how to best handle the situation. Remember to document the evidence and call in the experts to risk increasing damage and spreading pests. With the guidance of a trusted pest control specialist, your home will be back to normal in no time.