fearlessly sniffing out bed bugs throughout the mid-atlantic region

Bed Bug Dog Detection and Heat Treatment Preparation

Canine Bed Bug Inspection Preparation Checklist

All area to be inspected must be made available and must be prepared in accordance with the following checklist:

 1. Food items - All food on floor areas must be placed in a refrigerator or in a sealed container prior to the arrival of the canine inspection team.  

This includes all pet food.

 2. Cleaning - All floor surfaces should be free of debris, mopped or vacuumed prior to the arrival of the canine inspection team.  This reduces the risk that the canine will encounter foreign substances and odors that could either injure the canine or adversely impact the quality of the inspection.

 3. Pets - Pets may remain at the location.  However, all pets must be crated or secured in a separate room away from the areas being inspected (bathroom area is preferred).  If the pets need to be moved during the inspection, it is the responsibility of the owner to do that.  If pets are not crated or secured away from the areas to be inspected, the inspection will be postponed.

 4. Access - The more access the inspection team has to the areas like the closets and storage spaces, the better the inspection results will be.  Please make items accessible in the closets, storage spaces and other confined areas that need inspection.

 5. Air Flow - Please turn off all personal fans at least an hour prior to the inspection team's arrival.  This will help limit airflow and allow inspection team to accurately pinpoint problem areas.

 6. Other - The ability of the canine team to inspect the bedroom and living room area is crucial.  Please limit the amount of clutter around beds, couches and chairs so the team can inspect them without hindrance.

BED BUG HEAT TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Thermal remediation is a proven non-chemical, environmentally friendly method of treating bed bugs.  Research has shown that all life stages (adults, nymphs, and eggs) die within minutes at a temperature of 122 degrees F.  During the thermal remediation process, temperatures in your home will be from 120 degrees F and 140 degrees F.  These are lethal temperatures to bed bug populations but not hot enough to damage most things (see Pre-treatment Items).

 Successful heat remediation is a partnership between the occupant and Super Sniff.  Our goal is to eliminate the bed bug and its eggs.  The goal is more likely to be reached if you are able to help in the preparation.  Please use these instructions as your guide.

 Items that need to be removed from the treatment areas to be protected:

• Pets - including fish in aquariums
• Houseplants
• Fresh food - fruits, vegetables etc.
•  Food that melts - chocolate, candy etc.
• Prescription and over the counter drugs
• Make-up
• Wax based items - candles, wax figurines and fruit, lipstick
• Anything pressurized - spray cans, aerosols, fire extinguishers, oxygen bottles etc.
• Flammable - Lighters, lamp fuel, alcohol, solvents etc.
• Wooden and stringed musical instruments - leave in the cases
• Family heirlooms and irreplaceable items should be inspected and a determination made as to whether they should be treated.
  

Some of the smaller items can be stored in the refrigerator during the treatment.  Larger items can be boxed and left by the door for inspection.  Your Super Sniff team will determine if any of these items need to be treated.

Clothing

• ​The bed bug will seek shelter on and within clothing.  To avoid reintroducing bed bugs, any clothing removed from the space before thermal remediation must be treated before being returned to the treated areas.
• Washing using the hottest water cycle and drying using the hottest dryer setting will treat most of the clothing.
• Avoid contaminating the freshly washed clothing.  Do not return the clean clothing to the container (bag, basket, etc.) it was transported in unless that container was also treated.
• Clothing left in the heated space must be packed loosely! Tightly packed baskets will prevent lethal temperatures from reaching all items.  Do not place clothing in plastic bags.
• Clothing in drawers can be left in place. Except if clothing is tightly packed, then some items must be removed.  Also, it may be necessary to remove the drawers from dressers to help with the air movement.
• Clothing on hangers may be left in the closet if the space between the items is large enough to allow the heated air to circulate.  Arrange hanging items to open up air space between them.
• Larger fabric items - Linens, towels, blankets, etc. These items should be left in the area being heated, as they are likely to shelter insects.
• Place these items in open weave baskets or in a pile on the floor.  Pack the items very loosely to allow air circulation.  Do not pack in plastic bags.
  

Papers, smaller items etc,

• A thermal remediation treatment requires moving large amounts of air to be successful.  All items that can be blown around and possible damaged need to be protected.
• Loose papers need to be gathered and boxed.
• Glass items and kick Knacks will need to be secured.  Do not leave breakable items on shelves or other areas where damage could happen. 
• Pictures, Paintings and other wall mounted items may need to be taken down to prevent damage.
  

Electronics

• Electronics are a hiding place for bed bugs, do not remove electronics from areas being treated.  Switch all electronics to the off position  Disconnect, unplug all electronic appliances by unplugging from the wall outlet.

Water beds and Air beds

• Water beds will need to be drained.  If not drained it will prevent the frame from reaching proper temperature. 
• Air beds need to be partially deflated to avoid damage. 
• Select comfort beds with an electronic pump need to be unplugged from the wall.
  

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​ Returning to your home
The temperature will be elevated when you return.  Higher temperatures are the result of the thermal remediation process and a cool down period will be needed.

Open windows or turn on the air conditioning to aid in cooling.

During the heat remediation some of your things may have been shifted by our heat team to get an even heat distribution.  They may not have been returned exactly where they were before the heat remediation.

With your cooperation we can be successful in eliminating this serious and challenging pest from your home.