Bed Bug Treatment Process

Bed bugs have made a recent resurgence all across the United States as well as worldwide and are now being found in high-end hotels, apartment complexes, hospitals and even college residence halls.  We are fortunate that with the number of people we have staying on campus, bed bug complaints at our university have been sporadic. One step you can take to help keep the number of bed bug complaints low is to be educated on bed bugs and keep an eye out for any evidence that they may exist.

If you repeatedly wake up with unexplained bug bites on your body this could be a sign that you are experiencing a bed bug problem. Another indicator are if you see dark brownish black stains appearing on your linens or mattress.  If you suspect you have bed bugs, contact housing staff.

Our primary goal is to get all of the bed bugs eliminated from your room in as timely a fashion as possible and your cooperation is key in doing so. Another important thing to do is to try not to panic. We know having bed bugs is a very stressful situation but be assured we can take care of the problem and we will do so as swiftly as possible.  It is extremely important that you do not do the following:

What not to do:

1. Do not remove items from your room including throwing them away.  If not done in the correct manner, you risk infection other residents' rooms and potentially reinfecting your room.

2. Do not try to control the problem on your own.  Bed bugs can go a long time without food and most over the counter treatments are ineffective.

3. Do not relocate to another room.   We understand the desire to not want to stay in your room, but in doing so you risk taking bugs with you in any belongings you take.  This would spread the bugs and could quite easily lead to your room being reinfected after treatment.

Below are the steps you and we will do to eliminate bed bugs.

1.  Remove all bedding, including fitted sheets, pillows, and wash in hot water, dry on high heat in the dyer, and then bag up in plastic bags.  KNOT instead of using ties.

2.  Remove all curtains and throw pillows.  Dry them on high heat and then bag them up and knot the bag.

3.  Remove all items from all closets and dressers.  Wash clothing, dry in the dryer, and bag and knot them.  Check other items for activity.

4.  Place all other items in bags or boxes and place in the kitchen or in the bathtub.

5.  Place all bags in the kitchen, bathtub, or garage the day of treatment.

6.  Vacuum floor area using crack and crevice tool along the base of the wall.

7.  Vacuum the seam and general surface area of mattress and box springs.

8.  Vacuum the seam and general surface of all cushions from sofa and chair.

9.  Remove vacuum cleaner bags and discard bags outside of building.

10.  Unframed items that are mounted to the wall may need to be taken down during treatment.

11.  Outlet and switch plate covers may also be removed during service (to be determined).

12.  Leave all clothing bagged for 2 weeks after the initial treatment.

13.  Do not remove any items of furniture from room.

14.  Repair any loose wallpaper and baseboard covering.

15. After treatment seal any cracks or crevices found.

16.  Have as many items as possible off the floor day of treatment.  Also put away hair care, food items, and personal items.

17.  Make sure all toys are picked up off the floor and put in an enclosed container.

18.  All pet food, water, and toys should be emptied out or put away on the day of the treatment.

19.  Everyone in home including any pets must vacate for 3-4 hours; fish tanks should be covered with sheet and air pump turned off.

20. Please do not shampoo any carpets until at 30 days after your last treatment.