Heat treatment can knock out bed bugs in one day. Crews bring in commercial heaters and fans, and wireless sensors track the temperature deep inside mattresses, cushions and along wall edges. Most Eldridge homes are livable again by the evening.
Why Heat Works
Bed bugs and their eggs die when they are held at a high enough temperature for long enough, and they cannot build resistance to heat the way they do to certain sprays. Crews generally keep the coolest spots in each room at about 120°F or more, flipping mattresses and moving cushions so no layer stays cool.
On Treatment Day
- PrepareHeat-sensitive items come out, and heaters, fans and sensors are set up.
- Heat upRooms rise to the target over a few hours.
- HoldThe crew watches the readings and turns items so nothing stays cool.
- Wrap upOnce rooms cool, the crew checks results and may apply a residual product at the edges.
Heat Treatment in Eldridge
Heat appeals to households that want no pesticide where they sleep and to landlords who need a rental back quickly. Many Sonoma Valley homes also keep wine, art or family keepsakes that should not be left in a room held above 120°F, so plan with the crew about what leaves the house.
Remove These First
- Candles, crayons, cosmetics, aerosol cans, medicines, houseplants and pets.
- Wine bottles, vinyl records, photos and anything that could melt or warp.
- Anything else on the crew's list, such as certain electronics.
- Leave clothes and bedding in place unless told otherwise.
Questions About Heat Treatment
Can we sleep at home that night?
Usually. After the rooms cool off and the crew finishes its checks, most families move back in the same evening.
Would a hot summer day or a space heater do the same thing?
No. The EPA warns that household heaters cannot heat a room evenly enough, and they create a fire risk.
How your call is handled: Bed Bug Control CA is a free referral service. When you call or send the form, you are connected with an independent, licensed pest control company that serves Eldridge. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.