Before You Treat

It is important NOT to remove anything from the infested rooms unless it is securely bagged. Clothing, stuffed animals, linens and other items that can be washed in hot, soapy water and placed in a hot dryer for more than 30 minutes should be bagged, removed and laundered. Instruct the customer to dispose of bags OUTDOORS and to return the cleaned items to living areas in new bags. If infestation is found or suspected in clothing closets, the customer should consider dry cleaning items that cannot be laundered.

If mattresses are infested, the customer needs to decide whether to discard them or have them treated with a product like CB-40 insecticide. Seal mattresses after treatment with bed bug-resistant encasements. If a mattress is to be discarded, be sure the customer cuts the mattress in some way to prevent re-use and thoroughly encases it before moving it outdoors. This prevents bed bugs from dropping off in transit and expanding the infested area of a structure.

Remove as many bed bugs as possible by vacuuming carpets, floors and any furniture where bed bugs are visibly present. Treat and discard vacuum bag after use. Remove all electrical plates, phone jack covers and light switches. Remove all domestic pets from the structure being treated. Cover fish tanks and turn off pumps. Anything discarded in the process should be marked or rendered unusable to ensure no one else takes an infested item.

For a copy of Bed Bug Best Management Practices from FMC click here.
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