Heat treatment can finish a bed bug job in one day. The crew brings commercial heaters and fans and places sensors inside mattresses, cushions and along the walls to track temperature. Most Oakley homes are livable again by evening.
Why Heat Works
Bed bugs and eggs die when they are held at a high enough temperature for long enough, and they cannot build resistance to heat the way they can to some sprays. Crews typically keep the coolest spots in each room at about 120°F or more, flipping mattresses and moving cushions so heat reaches every layer.
Treatment Day
- Clear outThings that could melt are packed away while the crew wheels in heaters and runs sensor cables.
- Ramp upOver the next few hours the air and furniture climb toward the goal temperature.
- HoldThe crew watches readings and shifts furniture so no spot stays cool.
- Wrap upOnce the house cools the crew inspects again, and some add a residual along baseboards.
Heat in Oakley Homes
Heat is popular with families who want nothing sprayed where they sleep and with landlords who need a rental turned around quickly. Oakley's July highs average around 96°F, but that is nowhere near enough to treat furniture left on a patio. Larger two-story homes may be treated in sections, so ask how the crew will handle the upstairs.
Remove These First
- Pets, houseplants, prescriptions, spray cans, wax candles and makeup.
- Photos, vinyl records and anything that could melt or warp.
- Electronics or other items on the crew's list.
- Leave clothing and bedding where they are unless told otherwise.
Questions About Heat Treatment
Oakley summers get to the high 90s. Will leaving furniture outside kill bed bugs?
No. Outdoor heat is uneven and rarely reaches deep into cushions or frames for long enough. Professional heat is measured with sensors inside the items being treated.
Will we be home by bedtime?
Usually. When the rooms have cooled and the crew has checked the results, most families move back in that same evening.
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 Oakley. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.