How Long is Bed Bug Quarantine? And Other Common Bed Bug Questions

Heat treatment is rapidly becoming the go-to method for tackling bed bug infestations. It's safe, effective, and eliminates bed bugs at all life stages. Whether you're a homeowner or a business, understanding pre-treatment, post-treatment, and best practices is essential. Today, we're

answering some of your frequently asked questions to help guide you through the process.

FAQs on Bed Bugs and Heat Treatments 

What is heat treatment for bed bugs? 

Heat treatment involves raising the temperature in your home or business to a level that is lethal to bed bugs. This method effectively kills bed bugs at all stages of life, from eggs to adults. 

A heat treatment is performed by putting large heaters and fans into the room or area you need to treat and allowing them to sit at 120F for 2 to 24 hours. This ensures all bed bugs (and other pests) in the area are eradicated. After the area cools down, it's fully habitable again. (To learn more about the process, click here.) 

Why are heat treatments the best way to treat bed bugs?

Heat treatments are non-toxic, safe, and highly effective. Unlike chemical treatments, they don't leave residues, and bed bugs cannot develop a resistance to sudden, high-temperature increases. Also, since the treatment simply heats up the area in the affected area, all that's required for the space to be habitable again is for the temperature to have returned to normal. That means that the entire treatment could be completed in less than 24 hours. 

What do you need to do before a bed bug heat treatment?

Preparing for a heat treatment is simply about ensuring you remove any items that can be affected by relatively high temperatures (approximately 120F), such as food, plants, beauty products, candles, and some more sensitive electronics. You should also remove any aerosols and other flammables and secure any loose papers and other things that may be blown around by the fans. (Watch the video "Do this before any heat treatment" here for more guidance.) 

What should I do with my pets during a heat treatment? 

All pets and plants must be removed from the premises during a heat treatment. 

Can I stay in my home during a heat treatment?

No, unless you're treating a few areas that can be closed off from the rest of the home during the treatment. The entire home should be treated at once if possible, and one area immediately after another when it's not to ensure the treatment is effective. 

How long does a bed bug heat treatment take?

The duration of a heat treatment varies, but it typically takes 4-8 hours of active heaters-on time. There's also preparation time to consider, and some time for the house to cool. 

What do I need to do after a bed bug heat treatment?

Once the heat treatment is completed, the house will cool down to normal temperatures, and the heaters can be packed away. At this point, you don't need to do anything, but most people like to vacuum thoroughly to remove the dead bed bugs. 

How many treatments do you need to get rid of bed bugs?

In most cases, a single heat treatment is sufficient. If there was some margin of error in the preparation and execution, a follow-up treatment may be necessary. 

How long is bed bug quarantine? 

With a heat treatment, you only need to quarantine until the heat treatment is complete. Leading up to the heat treatment, it's best to move as little out of your home as possible, especially if it's something bed bugs are likely to hitch a ride on, such as soft furnishings. Obviously, you and your pets cannot be in the home during the treatment, so do your best to prevent the spread by hot washing and drying your clothes before and after the treatment. 

Can I do my own bed bug heat treatment?

Absolutely, but you must use professional heat treatment equipment. Trying to DIY with space heaters and other methods is dangerous and has even led to some homes catching on fire. You can find our DIY heat treatment packages here and information on how to treat your home. 

How can I prevent bed bug reinfestation after treatment? 

Make sure you wash your clothes on a hot wash after the treatment, ideally immediately. If this isn't possible, have a set of freshly washed clothes in a sealed bag and put the clothes you're wearing into another sealed bag until you can wash them. If it's warm when you're doing your treatment, park your car in the sun with the windows closed so it gets its own form of heat treatment.

Going forward, regular inspections can help you keep your home bed bug-free, especially if you travel a lot or otherwise are in situations where you are more likely to come into contact with bed bugs again. 

DIY Bed Bug Heat Treatment 

Heat treatments are a powerful tool in the fight against bed bugs, offering a safe and effective solution for homes and businesses. If you're dealing with an infestation, consider our heat treatment packages to handle the problem yourself. In most cases, purchasing your own heat treatment package is more cost-effective than hiring pest control professionals. 

Click here to learn more about the process of doing your own heat treatment or to explore our packages.