NOTE: It is not advisable for homeowners to attempt to treat for bed bugs. Most of the necessary insecticides are only sold for use by professional pest-management companies. If homeowners try to control these bugs with over-the-counter products, the bed bugs likely will become dispersed, resulting in a more difficult treatment required at a later date.
Bed Bug Preparation
This guide will provide you with the knowledge and help, and guide you through the steps you need to take to do Advanced Bed Bug Preparation before our Bed Bug Pest Control Expert comes to your residence, to provide you with Bed Bug Extermination.
Fact: The biggest mistake most people with bed bug infestations make, is trying to solve their bed bug problem without a Professional Pest Control Exterminator. Most people who try to solve their bed bug infestation by themselves end up making the problem significantly worse and causing the bed bug infestation to dramatically spread. Don't make the mistake of trying to solve your bed bug problem without a Certified Pest Control Expert.
Good Bed Bug Preparation Requires Teamwork!
Be ready for some very serious, exhausting, detailed, hard work! Get a friend or friends to help you, if possible, because the amount of preparation can sometimes be mind-boggling. Do it right the first time; do the necessary hard work. You can't skimp when it comes to preparing for bed bug treatment….
More specifically, these are some of the detailed steps you need to take before a State-Registered, Bed Bug, Pest Control Specialist can come to your home and properly treat your living space. Some of the things you will be doing during this bed bug preparation plan might seem repetitive, and they surely will be; in fact, some of the things you do personally, will also be repeated by the Bed Bug Exterminator… !
"Pre-Emption and Long Term Vigilance"
The Bed Bug Preparation List:
Always start with the BED! This is usually the root of the infestation.
1. Before a Bed Bug Extermination, please make sure you remove all bedding from all mattresses, collect all the cloth, 
materials, linens, various quilts, blankets, etc. Everything associated with your bed must be removed from the entire living space of your home or apartment. This includes any and all fabrics, and/or materials that are machine washable and dry cleanable, including pillows (don’t forget pillow cases), mattress covers, towels, everything you can possibly think of associated with your bed. Also, special fabrics and cloth materials that are in storage or closets should be collected and properly cleaned. Just because it wasn't on your bed at the time of infestation, doesn't mean it is not at risk of harboring bed bugs or bed bug eggs. Once you have a bed bug infestation you must understand that everything in your entire living space can possibly provide a safe haven for bed bugs, even things you might have never thought of. Don't forget to remove all the items from under the bed
.
"If it has threads in it, it needs to be washed or cleaned, to ensure bed bugs or bed bug eggs are eradicated.”
2. Wash everything, literally everything, including bedding and any clothing/fabrics that may have come in contact with bedbugs, in HOT
water (if it won’t get ruined), and dry in Hot dryer if possible (if it won’t get ruined) - otherwise be prepared for a big dry cleaning bill. Make sure you wash all other linens and fabrics as directed so they don't get ruined. Everything has to be washed, but follow the instructions, so they don't get ruined (this can't be said enough) - and everything means everything that has threads in it, including rugs (steam if possible) and curtains/drapes have to be cleaned as instructed.
3. Make sure you completely empty all storage areas and closets in all rooms in your living space, 
including anything fabric; towels, curtains, table covers, miscellaneous linens, etc., even if you haven’t used it, or it’s in the room next door, it has to be cleaned and properly stored and sealed afterward as will be explained - no exceptions. This intensive procedure has to be done if you want the maximum chance of success. Keep closets and storage spaces empty, so they can be treated fully by a Bed Bug Exterminator.
The whole point of this initial process, is to kill off any bed bug eggs, bed bug nymphs, baby, teenage, adult or grandparent bed bugs, hiding in these items. Please know, bed bugs are incredibly good at hiding in the tiniest of cracks, crevasses, seams and folds of bedding, cloth, curtains and rugs, etc. Don’t underestimate bed bugs, ever.
"Bed bugs will hide even in places you would think seem impossible or unthinkable."
4. After a thorough washing and/or cleaning, be sure to place all your fully dry items in some kind of FULLY SEALED bins or garbage bags. You have to thoroughly seal as much as possible to prevent sneaky bed bugs from re-infesting your belongings by entering and hiding in the clean fabrics. Bed bugs will take the opportunity, if you give it to them, to re-infest safe items, especially since cloth materials are least likely to have pesticides or harmful toxins in them (bed bugs are clever).
Electronics and EquipmentBed bugs are notorious for hiding in receptacles (electrical sockets), therefore, be sure to unplug all electronic devices in rooms being treated for bed bug removal. This will make the area more easily accessible to the Bed Bug Pest Control Technicians.
Please do a thorough cleaning including a Vacuuming with a brush attachment; Vacuum floors, cracks, seams, carpets, every possible nook and cranny which you can fit a screw driver in, could harbor bed bugs, including ceiling moldings, wall moldings, chair railing, baseboards, floors, walls and ceiling cracks.
Important Reminder: Please remove all hanging pictures from walls, gently and carefully vacuum the back of these items and then place them in one area of your home for treatment by our Expert Bed Bug Specialist.
Rugs, Carpets, Furniture and Floors
1. Rugs should ideally be steam cleaned. Rent a good steam cleaner and clean the rugs, sofa, love seat and couch cushions (depending on the material), any other kind of furniture(if it won’t damage the furniture) which humans and pets use. If you can get a hand held steamer, you can much more efficiently clean furniture, including furniture that is upholstered, mattresses, box springs and so forth.
2. Clear a path around the walls. In order to allow the Inspector to properly treat all rooms, you must please move all objects away from the perimeter of your treatable rooms, including any non-permanently attached wall items such as art work, which must be inspected and possibly treated.
The bed bug pest control specialist and experts will need full access to the perimeter of the rooms, closets and storage areas, including adjacent locations in your living space where bed bugs might be established and hiding, which typically includes bedrooms, living room, den, libraries, studies, kid’s rooms and anywhere humans or pets frequent or lounge.
“Vacuum twice!”3. Double vacuum from top to bottom, your entire bed, mattress, box spring and bed frame. It can't be emphasized enough: mattresses and box spring frames should be vacuumed twice with the bristled vacuum attachment, especially around the tufts and seams. Also inspect for blood stains and bed bug harborage locations.
Mattress Covers, Box Spring Covers and Pillow Case Covers
Make sure you get good physical measurements of your mattress and box spring for the Exterminator, ahead of time, as the beds are going to have to be sealed after treatment, or if the beds are old and worn out, and it’s within your budget, it might be time to buy a new mattress and box spring. However, the items still need to be treated so they do not spread bed bugs. One of the fastest ways that bed bugs get spread is through people abandoning infested items on the curb, it is better to treat the existing furniture than to throw it away.
Hard Furniture
1. Empty all shelves, metal or wooden bookcases, desks, dressers, nightstands and every possible piece of furniture. Turn furniture upside down if possible (make sure you wear a weight belt or back support, get help so you don't throw out your back, or get someone to help you if you can't do it yourself) and vacuum those items really well with the vacuum cleaner bristled attachment.
“Do you own a scrub brush?”
A good, tough, bristled brush tip is important. A dab of warm water on the end of the bristles (if it won’t damage your furniture) can sometimes help to loosen things, such as tiny bed bug eggs which are attached to furniture and beds with natural bed bug “goo” (They are almost impossible to see without a magnifying glass). The more detail-oriented you are, the better prepared you make your home for our Professional Bed Bug Exterminator, the better the chance for success!
The Big View, in General Preparation for Treatment 
Bed bugs seek to hide in hard to reach spots, such as between the boards of wooden furniture and in box springs, couches, bottom part of drawers, in spots you might have never thought of before! Bed bugs like the wood on the underside of furniture because it is sometimes rougher, especially on desks, tables, coffee tables, television stands, bed frames, nightstands, art, walling hangings and photo frames, and they definitely like mattresses and box springs, as you already know from reading our Bed Bug Preparation Guide.
How Bed Bugs Get Around in a “Nut Shell”
People pick up bed bugs in hotels, motels, guest houses, hostels and other “rooming situations” The bed bugs are then transported home in clothing and luggage. People also pick up bed bugs through used furniture and mattresses they find or buy. Be wary of buying and/or picking up used or old furniture.
Be very careful with second-hand furniture or items you see on the street. People also get bed bugs from their neighbors who treated their living space and now the bed bugs are running away and have come for you!
“Take Pre-emptive Measures Against Bed Bugs!”
Post Treatment Reminders
1. Make sure after bed bug pest treatment to leave your living place for no less than four hours and let the treatment do its work!
2. Wait for all hard and soft furniture, such as upholstered chairs and sofas, mattresses and everything else to fully dry before sitting or using them in any way, as an extra precaution.
3. Pre-order your Bed Bug Mattress, Box Spring and Pillow Case Covers, by getting accurate measurements of everything.
Post Treatment: Follow up, Vigilance, Bed Bug Preemption equals? Long-Term Bed Bug Prevention!
Be prepared to follow-up with Professional Bed Bug Pest Control Exterminations. Usually more than one treatment is necessary, because bed bugs are ruthless, and sometimes extremely difficult to contain and kill. A second treatment is sometimes necessary at a later date of your convenience.
Eternal vigilance is a must with these little critters, be sure to keep your clutter to a minimum and/or bagged up, and vacuum everything often. Each member of the household should thoroughly inspect their bodies each and every day.
Bed Bug Infestations Outbreaks and Breeding
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