RESIDENT PREPARATION GUIDELINES HEAT TREATMENT BED BUG HEAT TREATMENT Your infestation came to you through exposure to bed bug activity at another location or a visitor. To stop further infestation to your residence take care not to bring in used furniture or other items showing evidence of bed bugs. Visitors who stay with you may have bed bugs in their luggage and sleeping bags. These items should be treated. Clothing must be hung in closets loosely (3 to 6 inches apart). Closet floors and closet shelving must be cleared of all storage (ie. bedding, clothing, furniture and boxes) before treatment. All rooms/areas being treated need to be at least 70o F at time of treatment. All electronics (not appliances) need to be unplugged from outlets and all socket/ outlet covers removed. Cable or phone jack covers that are secure against the wall may stay in place. All items in dresser drawers, night stand drawers, end table drawers need to have only 1 inch of clothing in each drawer. All other items from drawers and children’s playthings (not heat sensitive) can be temporarily placed in milk crates or other well-ventilated plastic containers during treatment. DO NOT stack items on beds, couches, dressers or other pieces of furniture. They may need to be moved by the technicians during the treatment. All walls must be accessible to the technicians. Furniture must be moved 18 inches away from all walls in the rooms to be treated. All loose items need to be off the floor and centered away from the walls. Make sure doors and drawers are accessible. When instructed by representative make sure beds and furniture (that are in need of steam or insecticide treatment) are accessible and free of any other loose items. Dust covers on the underside of the upholstered furniture and box springs may be punctured to allow for treatment. 800.793.8169 | WWW.VARMENTGUARD.COM | Consumables (ie. food, drinks, and medicines) must be stored in refrigerator, bins or cupboards. Heat sensitive items may include wigs, cosmetics, make up, hair products, aerosols, candles, crayons, artwork and vinyl records. Always read labels if you are concerned about an item. The method of application, whether steam or an appropriate insecticide, used to treat for bed bugs in/on a particular piece of furniture or situation will be at technician’s discretion, based on the composition and finish of the item. We insist that all mattresses and box springs be covered with Varment Guard endorsed bed-bug-resistant encasements (not vinyl plastic mattress covers) to hinder further bed bug activity on and in the mattress. Bed bug interceptor (e.g., BlackOut®) devices may be installed under couch and bed legs when the style and situation in the room is conducive to isolating the couch and/or bed from floors, walls and other furnishings. Do not remove or discard any furniture that may be bed-bug-infested from your residence without taking precautions to prevent bed bugs from dropping off and spreading. If you rent, first notify the property manager, then contact Varment Guard. Should the infestation be graded “serious” then infested items (such as mattresses, box springs, bed frames and furniture) must be completely wrapped in plastic and the seams sealed with strong tape before you remove it from your home. Completely destroy anything that you throw away! All people, aquariums and other pets must leave residence upon the arrival of the technicians. Re-enter the serviced residence only after the posted time (at least 4 hours) has passed. Take minimal items when leaving your home during treatment. When coming back into the treated area, avoid bringing items that have not been prepared and/or treated. All over-the-counter insecticides MUST be cleaned up before ANY treatment. DO NOT apply insecticide sprays or dusts to furnishings following treatment. Failure to comply at any point will void the service agreement, in which case additional applications will be chargeable. LR 11/2013 800.793.8169 | WWW.VARMENTGUARD.COM |