Heat Treatment Preparation Checklist

48h

48 Hours Before

Wash & bag all bedding, clothing, curtains and soft toys

24h

Day Before

Declutter rooms, remove heat-sensitive items, pull furniture from walls

AM

Morning Of

Open all drawers & wardrobes, unplug all electronics, empty all bins

▶

Before Leaving

Remove plants, ensure access to all rooms, vacate with all people & pets

Treatment Complete

Wait for technician sign-off before re-entering treated areas

Declutter all rooms

Remove items from floors, under beds, and around skirting boards. Heat needs to circulate freely — clutter creates cold spots where bugs can survive.

Vacuum thoroughly

Vacuum along all edges, mattress seams, and upholstered furniture. Immediately dispose of the vacuum bag outside the property in a sealed bin bag.

Unplug all electronics

Switch off and unplug TVs, computers, monitors, chargers, extension leads, games consoles, and any other electrical devices before treatment begins.

Empty all bins

Remove all rubbish bags from inside the property and place them in your external bins. This prevents odours during heating and ensures full access.

The room will reach 56–60°C during treatment. The following items will be damaged or pose a safety risk if left inside. Remove all of them before your appointment.

Candles & wax

Crayons & markers

Lighters & matches

Aerosol cans

Loose batteries

Cosmetics & makeup

Oil paintings

Vinyl records

Perishable foods

Medication

Chocolate & sweets

Wine & spirits

Ink cartridges

VHS / cassettes

Spray products

Thermometers

If in doubt, take it out. When unsure whether an item is heat-sensitive, remove it to be safe. Call us on 0121 751 33 41 if you have any questions about specific items.

Wash at 60°C or higher

Wash all bedding, clothing, curtains, pillowcases, and soft toys at 60°C minimum. This kills any bed bugs and eggs on fabrics before treatment begins.

Tumble dry on high heat

If items can't be washed at 60°C, tumble dry on the highest heat setting for at least 90 minutes. The sustained heat is equally effective at killing all life stages.

Seal in plastic bags immediately

As soon as items come out of the dryer, seal them in clean plastic bags or storage boxes. This prevents re-infestation before and after treatment.

Remove sealed bags from the property

Take all bagged clean items out of the property before treatment. Do not leave sealed bags in treated rooms — they should be kept at a friend's or in your car.

Never move unwashed clothing or bedding into untreated rooms. This is one of the most common ways infestations spread to other parts of the property during treatment preparation.

Pull furniture away from walls

Move all furniture at least 6–12 inches away from walls so hot air can circulate behind sofas, wardrobes, bed frames, and units. This is critical for full penetration.

Open all drawers and cupboards

Every drawer, wardrobe door, and cupboard must be left open before treatment. Heat needs to reach inside these spaces where bed bugs commonly hide.

Stand mattresses upright if possible

If safe to do so, lean mattresses against the wall so heat can penetrate both sides fully. If not possible, our technicians will reposition them during treatment.

Do not cover vents or radiators

Ensure all air vents, radiators, and any heating elements are completely uncovered and unobstructed. Never place items on or in front of them before treatment.

Ensure clear access to all rooms

Every room being treated must be fully accessible. Remove locks, door wedges, or anything blocking entry. Our technicians need to move freely throughout.

Vacate the property — all people

All residents must leave the property for the full duration of treatment. Do not re-enter until your technician confirms it is safe to do so.

Remove all pets

All pets — including fish, reptiles, birds, rabbits, and any small animals — must be removed from the property. Fish tanks should be removed or sealed and the pump switched off.

Remove all house plants

The extreme heat will kill or severely damage house plants. Remove all plants from treated areas before your appointment, including in windowsills and hanging baskets.

Do not re-enter until your technician gives the all-clear. Rooms will be at dangerously high temperatures during treatment. Always wait for confirmation before returning to any treated area.

Move unwashed items to other rooms

Carrying infested clothing or bedding to untreated areas spreads the infestation. Always wash and bag first.

Cover vents, radiators, or heaters

Blocking airflow prevents heat from circulating and creates safe zones for bed bugs to survive treatment.

Leave aerosols or candles inside

Aerosol cans and wax items can explode or cause fire at high temperatures. Remove all of these before your appointment.

Re-enter before the technician confirms

Rooms are dangerously hot during treatment. Never re-enter until your technician gives explicit clearance.

Leave pets or plants inside

The extreme heat is fatal to pets and plants. All living things other than the bugs must be removed before treatment begins.

Skip preparation steps

Incomplete preparation is the single biggest cause of reduced treatment effectiveness. Follow every step on this list.

Duration: 3–8 Hours

Treatment takes 3–4 hours per room. A whole-property treatment typically takes most of the day. We'll give you a clear time estimate beforehand.

Temperature: 56–60°C

Our industrial equipment raises room temperatures to 56–60°C and maintains this for several hours, ensuring lethal temperatures reach every hiding spot.

Powerful Circulation Fans

High-powered fans continuously circulate hot air throughout the space, penetrating inside mattresses, furniture joints, walls, and skirting boards.

Constant Temperature Monitoring

Calibrated thermometers placed throughout the property ensure lethal temperatures are reached and maintained in every area — nothing is left to chance.

Discreet Unmarked Vehicles

Our technicians arrive in completely unmarked vehicles. Your neighbours will have no idea we've been — complete discretion is guaranteed on every job.

Technician Sign-Off

Your technician will confirm when it's safe to return and provide a written prevention guide to help you stay bed bug free going forward.

Once your technician gives the all-clear, here's what to do — and what to avoid — to make the most of your treatment.

Do These Things

• Wait for your technician's explicit clearance before re-entering
• Allow rooms to cool for 1–2 hours before sleeping
• Put freshly washed, bagged bedding back on beds
• Use mattress and pillow encasements going forward
• Inspect luggage after any future hotel stays
• Wash clothing at 60°C after stays away from home
• Report any signs of activity to us immediately
• Read your written aftercare guide fully

Avoid These Things

• Don't re-enter while rooms are still hot
• Don't bring unwashed second-hand items in immediately
• Don't ignore any bites or signs in the first 2 weeks — call us
• Don't use DIY sprays after treatment — they can interfere with monitoring
• Don't stay in hotels without inspecting mattress seams first
• Don't leave luggage on hotel room floors or beds
• Don't buy second-hand mattresses or upholstered furniture
• Don't delay contacting us if you suspect re-infestation

Print or Save This Checklist

Keep a copy handy so you can tick off each step before your appointment. You can also screenshot this page or save it to your phone.

Same-day response available across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Free quote, no call-out fee, fully insured.