Before the visit
- Wash bedding and clothes from the affected rooms at 60°C, or tumble dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Seal clean items in plastic bags until after treatment
- Bag items that cannot be washed, such as soft toys and shoes, and tumble dry them on high heat if possible
- Reduce clutter in bedrooms, particularly under beds and on bedside tables, so the technician can reach all hiding places
- Do not move furniture or items to other rooms; this can spread bed bugs
- Empty bedside drawers and wardrobes in affected rooms into sealed bags
- Vacuum mattresses, bed frames, carpets and skirting, then empty the vacuum outside into a sealed bag
- Pull beds and furniture about 30 cm away from the walls
- Do not use shop-bought sprays or foggers, which can drive bed bugs deeper into hiding
On the day
Tell us about anyone in the home who is pregnant, has breathing problems or other health conditions, and about any pets, including fish tanks. You will usually need to be out of the treated rooms for a few hours, and we will tell you when it is safe to return.
After treatment
- Do not vacuum or clean along treated skirting and seams for the time we advise
- Sleep in your own bed; this draws remaining bugs out to the treated areas
- Keep bagged items sealed until we confirm the treatment has worked
- You may see some bugs for a week or two after treatment; this is normal
- Attend the follow-up visit, which is essential to catch bugs hatching from eggs
Should I throw my mattress away?
Usually not. Mattresses can often be treated and protected with a bed bug-proof encasement. If you do throw one away, wrap it in plastic and label it so others do not take it.
Questions and answers
Do I need to leave the house during treatment?
Usually you need to stay out of treated rooms for a few hours. We will confirm on the day.
Why do I need a follow-up visit?
Eggs are protected from many treatments and hatch later. The follow-up treats the newly hatched bugs.
Can I sleep in another room?
It is better to keep sleeping in your own bed after treatment, so bugs come out and contact the treated areas.
Related pages
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.