Why Preparation Determines Treatment Success
Heat treatment raises every surface in the treated space to lethal temperatures — typically 118–135°F maintained for a minimum of 2 hours at the furthest point from the heat source. The key word is every surface. Items removed from the treated space can harbor surviving bugs. Dense items — a dresser stuffed with clothing, a sealed suitcase, a pile of boxes — can shield bugs from lethal temperatures if airflow doesn't penetrate.
Proper preparation ensures: (1) all harborage areas are accessible to heat, (2) you've protected irreplaceable heat-sensitive items, (3) pets and plants are safe, and (4) you don't accidentally carry bugs out of the treatment zone before treatment begins.
What to Remove Before Treatment
Mandatory removals — these can be damaged by heat above 120°F:
- Live plants (will die)
- Pets and pet food
- Candles and wax items
- Aerosol cans, pressurized containers, fire extinguishers
- Medications that should not exceed room temperature (check labels)
- Wine, champagne, and beer (bottles may crack)
- Musical instruments with lacquer finishes or glued components
- Oil paintings and fine art
- Vinyl records
- Anything in the refrigerator or freezer (appliances will be unplugged)
Important: Items you remove must be heat-treated before re-entry. Bag clothing in sealed plastic bags, carry them directly to a dryer, and run on high heat for 30+ minutes. Do not bring unchecked items back into the treated space.
What to Leave In Place
This is where many people make mistakes — removing too much undermines treatment effectiveness:
- All clothing and bedding: Leave it in drawers and closets. The heat will penetrate and kill bugs. Removing and re-introducing unchecked clothing is one of the most common causes of treatment failure.
- Electronics: TVs, computers, stereos — modern electronics are designed to handle temperatures above 120°F. Your treatment provider can confirm. Leave them unplugged but in place.
- Books and papers: Leave them on shelves unless they're irreplaceable first editions. Books are common harborage sites.
- Furniture: Everything stays. Drawers should be pulled out slightly to allow heat circulation.
- Mattresses and box springs: Leave them on the bed — they need to be treated too.
Clothing and Laundry Protocol
One of the most critical prep steps: all wearable fabric items in the treatment zone must be laundered or heat-dried after treatment, not before. Washing before treatment is pointless — clothes will be contaminated again if bugs survive treatment. Washing before and removing clean clothes creates a pathway for bugs to escape in the bags.
Correct protocol:
- Leave all clothing in drawers and closets during treatment
- After treatment is complete and home cools, bag all clothing in sealed bags
- Run all bagged items through a dryer on high heat for 30 minutes minimum
- Fold clean items and return to treated, vacuumed drawers
Day-of Checklist
The morning of your heat treatment:
- Remove and relocate all mandatory removal items (see list above)
- Pull furniture 6 inches from walls to improve airflow
- Pull out dresser drawers 2–3 inches
- Open closet doors and leave them open
- Leave interior doors open throughout the unit
- Remove items from under the bed (stuffed storage blocks airflow)
- Unplug all electronics
- Ensure all pets and plants are out
- Leave keys with your treatment provider — you must vacate for the duration (typically 6–8 hours)
After treatment: allow the space to cool for at least 1 hour before re-entry. The treatment provider will confirm when it's safe. Expect surfaces to be warm for several hours after you return.