Prepare for a bed bug heat treatment by following the written directions from your treatment provider, setting aside heat-sensitive belongings for removal or special handling, and arranging for people, pets, and plants to be out of the home as instructed. Preparation is not a time to reorganize the home: keep belongings where they belong unless your provider tells you otherwise. For a helpful starting point on the problem itself, visit our bed bugs resource center.
Your provider’s treatment-specific directions always take priority over a general guide. Use this page to organize your questions, your household, and your checklist before treatment day.
Start with your provider’s instructions
Read the preparation information you were given, then make a short list of anything in your home that you do not know how to handle. Ask the provider before the appointment rather than making an assumption on treatment day.
If several people share the home, choose one person to collect questions, confirm the plan, and make sure pets and plants have been addressed. Keep the appointment instructions with your appointment details.
Printable heat-treatment preparation checklist
Print this section or copy it into your own checklist. Check each item only after you have completed it or received direction from the provider.
Appointment and household plan
- [ ] I have read the preparation instructions supplied for this appointment.
- [ ] I have the appointment date, expected arrival information, and the provider’s contact details.
- [ ] I have written down questions about any belongings I am unsure about.
- [ ] Everyone who needs to leave the home knows the plan and timing provided by the treatment team.
- [ ] I have arranged for all pets to be away from the home as directed.
- [ ] I have a plan for plants, including any direction from the provider about moving them or removing them.
- [ ] I know the provider’s instructions for access, keys, alarms, parking, or building entry, if any were provided.
Heat-sensitive items
- [ ] Candles: I have removed candles or asked the provider how they should be handled.
- [ ] Aerosols: I have removed aerosol products or obtained specific handling directions.
- [ ] Medications: I have set aside medications for removal or special handling as directed. If I have a question about a medication, I will ask the provider and, when appropriate, the prescribing professional or pharmacist rather than guessing.
- [ ] Electronics: I have asked for item-specific guidance for electronics. I will not assume that every device should be handled the same way.
- [ ] Plants: I have included all household plants in my plan and will follow the provider’s direction for them.
- [ ] Pets: I have included every pet in the out-of-home plan, including pets that may be easy to overlook.
Home setup and belongings
- [ ] I have left items in their usual rooms unless the provider specifically instructed otherwise.
- [ ] I have not bagged the whole house.
- [ ] I have not moved items to other rooms to get ready for treatment.
- [ ] I have followed only the decluttering, access, furniture, laundry, or cleaning directions that were supplied for my appointment.
- [ ] I have made a final list of questions to resolve before the team arrives.
What not to do before heat treatment
Keep preparation limited to the instructions you received.
Do not bag the whole house
Do not place every belonging in bags just because treatment is scheduled. If you were instructed to bag particular items, follow that instruction; otherwise, leave belongings in place and ask before doing more.
Do not move belongings from room to room
Do not carry clothing, furniture, storage containers, bedding, or other belongings into a different room unless your provider explicitly asks you to do so. Keep the home ready according to the treatment plan.
Do not make last-minute guesses about sensitive items
Do not guess about candles, aerosol products, medications, electronics, plants, or pets. Put uncertain items on your question list and get direction before the appointment.
Do not add unapproved preparation projects
Avoid last-minute cleaning, spraying, discarding, disassembling, or moving projects that are not in your instructions. If a task is not clear, ask the provider whether it is needed.
A day-of timeline
Use the timing your provider gives you. This outline is a planning tool, not a replacement for their appointment details.
Before the scheduled arrival window
Review your written instructions, complete the final checklist, and confirm that every person, pet, plant, and heat-sensitive item has a plan.
If access arrangements apply to your home, check them before the team arrives. Keep your phone available in case the treatment team needs to clarify an appointment detail.
When the team arrives
Point out any question you still have, especially about sensitive belongings. Follow the directions you are given for leaving the home and remaining away.
Confirm the re-entry and aftercare directions, and write them down.
During treatment
Follow the provider’s instruction about being out of the home. Do not return early to retrieve an item, check progress, or rearrange belongings. If an urgent need arises, contact the provider and follow their direction.
Take only the items you need for the time you will be away, consistent with your treatment instructions.
Re-entry and the first evening back
Return only when the provider tells you it is appropriate to do so. Review any aftercare directions before you begin settling back in. If you notice a concern or are uncertain whether something should be moved, cleaned, or used, contact the provider rather than changing the plan on your own.
Aftercare: keep following the plan
Follow the next steps the provider gave for your home. Save the written instructions, appointment notes, and contact information for questions. Share the same instructions with everyone in the household.
Avoid undoing the preparation plan immediately after you return. Do not rush to relocate belongings, launch a major cleaning project, or apply products unless those steps are part of the aftercare directions you received. When an instruction seems unclear, request clarification before acting.
Keep a brief record of any follow-up question: the date, the room or item involved, and what you observed.
If your service includes written coverage or conditions, read the terms you received and keep them with your treatment documents. Our 6-month warranty covers live bed bug activity in treated areas. If live bugs are confirmed, follow-up treatment is provided at no extra charge when prep and aftercare requirements are met.
Key takeaways
- Follow the written preparation instructions from your treatment team.
- Remove or protect heat-sensitive items, medications, pets, and plants as directed.
- Do not bag up the whole house or move belongings into other rooms.