Bedbug Heat Treatment

Bedbugs are making a comeback in the U.S. and are more prevalent now than any time since WWII. Look for the bugs, and the dark spots that are their excrement, around the edges of the mattress and box spring. Treatment usually involves calling a professional who will use chemical sprays. Some areas, such as your bedding, can't be treated with chemicals and need to be treated using heat.

Bedding

• Take the sheets, blankets, quilts and rest of your bedding off your bed and put them directly into a large plastic bag. Bagging the bedding keeps the bedbugs contained and helps to minimize the spread of infestation. Keep the bag tightly closed until you put the bedding into the washer. Wash all the bedding on hot water that is at least 120 degrees F. Dry the bedding using high heat in the dryer. Larger items may have to be taken to the laundromat.

Clothing

• Clothing that has care tags that suggest "dry clean only" can be placed in the dryer at medium settings for 20 minutes. Toys, backpacks, shoes and stuffed animals that can't be washed can be treated in the dryer on a high setting for 20 minutes. Items that can't be put in the dryer can be covered in plastic and placed outside in full sun or a closed vehicle for an entire day if it is during a hot season. Place a thermometer inside the bag to be certain the temperature reaches 120 degrees F. Some things may just need to be discarded.

The Home

• The bedbugs may also reside in your home along the baseboards. Vacuuming is not always effective in removing all the bugs and their eggs. Use the heat method in the house by sealing off one room at a time and raising the temperature to 120 degrees F. The process involves more than just raising the air temperature. The heat must penetrate all the areas in the room in order to kill the bed bugs that might be living in furniture or even the walls. This is accomplished by using several large room heaters placed around the room. Use a professional pest control company for optimal results.