What to Expect During a Bed Bug Treatment
Bed bug treatments require careful preparation, inspection and treatment because bed bugs can hide in very small cracks, crevices, furniture, bedding and other areas close to where people rest or sleep.
The treatment required will depend on the extent and location of the infestation and the areas where bed bug activity is identified. Surekill may use a combination of inspection, targeted treatment, steam and monitoring depending on the circumstances at the property.
This guide explains how to prepare for your bed bug treatment, what your technician will inspect and treat, what to expect after treatment, and practical steps that can help reduce the risk of bed bugs being introduced or spreading.
01
Booking Information
Inspection and Quote
Before a bed bug treatment is booked, a Surekill technician will inspect the property to confirm bed bug activity, determine the extent of the infestation and identify areas where bed bugs may be harbouring.
Following the inspection, the technician will discuss the recommended treatment and provide a quote based on the areas requiring treatment and the level of activity identified.
Booking and Treatment Time
Bed bug treatment times vary depending on the extent of the infestation, the number of rooms or areas requiring treatment and the treatment methods recommended.
When your treatment is booked, Surekill will advise you of the expected treatment time and any preparation that must be completed before the technician arrives.
Your scheduled booking time is an arrival window. For example, if your arrival window is between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon, your technician may arrive at any time during that period. The treatment time begins when the technician arrives.
Licensed and Insured Technicians
Surekill Pest Control is fully insured, and our pest management technicians are appropriately licensed and follow relevant EPA requirements, product labels and applicable industry requirements when carrying out bed bug treatments.
Weather Conditions
Bed bug treatments are generally carried out indoors, so normal weather conditions will usually not affect the service.
Follow-Up Treatments
Bed bug infestations can require follow-up treatment or inspection depending on the extent of the infestation, treatment method used and activity identified after the initial treatment.
Your technician will explain the recommended treatment and follow-up requirements for your property.
Payment Options
Payment can be made by EFT/bank transfer, cash, EFTPOS or credit card. Payment is required before treatment commences.
02
How to Prepare for Bed Bug Treatment
Follow the Preparation Instructions
Bed bug treatments require careful preparation. Follow the preparation instructions provided by Surekill before your appointment, as the preparation required may vary depending on the extent and location of the infestation.
If you are unsure whether an item should be moved, cleaned or disposed of, contact Surekill before doing so.
Reduce Clutter
Reduce unnecessary clutter in affected rooms so the technician can inspect and access potential bed bug harbourage areas.
Do not move clutter, furniture or belongings from an infested room into another room, as this may spread bed bugs to other areas of the property.
Bedding and Clothing
Remove bedding, clothing and other washable fabrics from affected areas as instructed by Surekill.
Place items into sealed bags before moving them from the affected room. Items suitable for laundering should be washed and dried using the instructions provided by your technician.
Keep cleaned items separate from untreated belongings and do not return them to the affected area until advised.
Vacuuming
Vacuum floors, carpets, rugs, mattress edges, bed frames, skirting boards and other accessible areas as instructed before treatment.
After vacuuming, securely contain the vacuum contents and dispose of them carefully so bed bugs are not spread to other areas.
Furniture and Mattresses
Do not automatically throw away mattresses, bed frames, lounges or other furniture because bed bugs have been found.
Your technician can inspect these items and advise whether they can be treated or whether disposal should be considered. Do not move potentially infested furniture through the property without first discussing it with Surekill.
Keep Potentially Infested Items at the Property
Items that may contain bed bugs should not be taken to another home, workplace, vehicle or storage area before they have been inspected or appropriately treated.
This is particularly important for luggage, bags, clothing, bedding, furniture and other belongings that have been in an affected sleeping area.
03
Before Treatment
Confirm Preparation Has Been Completed
Before treatment begins, your technician will check that the required preparation has been completed and that the areas requiring inspection and treatment are accessible.
If preparation has not been completed sufficiently, some areas may not be able to be treated effectively and the treatment may need to be adjusted or rescheduled.
Discuss Any Changes in Bed Bug Activity
Let your technician know if you have noticed bed bugs or signs of activity in any additional rooms, furniture or belongings since the original inspection.
Also advise the technician if potentially infested items have been moved from the affected areas since the inspection.
Pets
Remove pets from areas being treated and keep them away until your technician advises they can safely return.
Let Surekill know about any pets or other animals at the property that may require special consideration.
Chemical Sensitivities
People with chemical sensitivities should remain away from treated areas for 24 hours, or until the treatment has completely dried and the area has been adequately ventilated, whichever is longer.
Air Conditioning
Turn off air conditioning while spray treatments are being carried out where instructed by your technician. Your technician will advise when it can be turned back on.
Access to Affected Areas
Ensure the technician has clear access to affected bedrooms, beds, mattresses, furniture, skirting boards and other areas identified for inspection or treatment.
Do not dismantle or move beds or furniture unless Surekill has specifically instructed you to do so.
04
Bed Bug Inspection and Treatment Process
Inspection Before Treatment
Before treatment begins, your technician will inspect the affected areas and look for signs of bed bug activity and harbourage.
This may include checking mattresses, bed bases, bed frames, furniture, skirting boards, cracks and crevices and other areas close to where people sleep or rest.
The inspection also helps determine whether activity may have spread beyond the areas originally identified.
Targeted Treatment
Bed bug treatments are targeted to the areas where bed bugs are active or likely to be harbouring. Depending on the infestation and the areas being treated, your technician may use a combination of treatment methods.
Treatment may include suitable insecticide applications to cracks, crevices, bed frames, furniture joints, skirting boards and other harbourage areas.
Steam Treatment
High-temperature steam may be used on suitable surfaces and materials such as mattresses, bed bases, upholstered furniture, seams, folds and other accessible harbourage areas.
Steam can kill bed bugs and eggs that are directly exposed to the required temperature and can be particularly useful in areas where a non-chemical treatment method is appropriate.
Dust and Other Targeted Treatments
Insecticidal dusts or other appropriate products may be used in suitable areas where liquid treatments are not appropriate, such as certain cracks, crevices or concealed voids.
The products and application methods used will depend on the location of the activity and the surfaces being treated.
Bed Bug Monitoring
Where appropriate, bed bug monitoring devices may be installed near sleeping or resting areas to help detect continuing or returning activity.
Monitoring can be particularly useful following treatment and in higher-risk environments where early detection is important.
Treatment Tailored to the Infestation
Not every bed bug infestation requires the same treatment methods. Your technician will determine the appropriate combination of treatments based on the inspection, extent of the infestation, harbourage areas and conditions at the property.
05
After Your Bed Bug Treatment
Re-Entering Treated Areas
Keep people and pets away from treated areas until spray applications have completely dried and follow any additional re-entry instructions provided by your technician.
Where required, ventilate treated rooms before using them again.
Do Not Disturb Treated Areas
Avoid washing, wiping or vacuuming treated surfaces immediately after treatment where this could remove residual products.
Your technician will advise you about any areas that should not be cleaned and when normal cleaning can resume.
Returning Belongings
Do not immediately return cleaned clothing, bedding, luggage or other belongings to treated areas unless advised by your technician.
Keep cleaned or treated items separated from potentially infested items to help prevent bed bugs from being reintroduced into treated areas.
Bed Bug Activity After Treatment
Continue to watch for signs of bed bug activity after treatment. Bed bugs can hide in very small and concealed areas, and follow-up inspection or treatment may be required depending on the extent of the infestation.
Do not apply household insect sprays or other pest-control products to suspected activity, as this may interfere with the treatment and follow-up assessment.
Monitoring
Where a bed bug monitoring system has been installed, leave the monitoring devices in position and avoid disturbing or relocating them unless instructed by Surekill.
Monitoring can help identify continuing or returning bed bug activity and assist the technician when assessing whether further treatment is required.
Follow-Up Inspection and Treatment
Bed bug control may require more than one treatment or inspection. Your technician will advise you about the recommended follow-up based on the extent of the infestation, treatment carried out and any subsequent activity.
If you notice live bed bugs or other signs of activity after treatment, contact Surekill Pest Control so we can discuss what you are seeing and advise you on the next step.
06
Reducing the Risk of Bed Bugs
Reduce Harbourage Areas
Keep sleeping and resting areas reasonably uncluttered to reduce potential hiding places and make signs of bed bug activity easier to identify.
Where practical, seal unnecessary cracks and gaps around skirting boards, architraves and other areas that may provide concealed harbourage.
Check Bedding and Furniture
Periodically check mattress seams, bed bases, bed frames, bedside furniture and upholstered furniture for signs of bed bug activity.
Signs may include live bed bugs, cast skins, eggs or small dark spotting around harbourage areas.
Take Care When Travelling
When staying in accommodation, check beds and the surrounding area for obvious signs of bed bug activity and avoid placing luggage directly on beds.
After returning home, inspect luggage and belongings before storing them. If bed bugs are suspected, keep potentially affected items isolated and seek advice before moving them through the property.
Inspect Second-Hand Items
Carefully inspect second-hand beds, mattresses, bedroom furniture, lounges and other upholstered items before bringing them into your home or business.
Bed bugs can be transported between properties in furniture, luggage, clothing and other belongings.
Watch for Early Signs
Early detection can help limit the spread of an infestation. If you notice bed bugs or signs of possible activity, avoid moving potentially infested belongings into other rooms or properties.
Contact Surekill Pest Control for advice and assessment rather than applying household insect sprays or disturbing suspected harbourage areas.
Ongoing Bed Bug Risk Management
Properties with frequent movement of guests, residents, luggage or belongings can have a greater ongoing risk of bed bugs being introduced.
For accommodation providers and other higher-risk commercial environments, Surekill can develop a tailored Bed Bug Risk Management Program that may include regular monitoring, inspections, staff awareness and procedures for responding to suspected bed bug activity.
The aim is to identify potential activity early and establish a planned response if bed bugs are detected.
