When preparing for a bed bug extermination treatment you wanna use the checklist below and either initial or check of each part of the process so you don’t skip a key part of the bed bug extermination process.
Bed Bugs are tough to control. They are difficult to see, they are active at night when humans are sleeping, and a female lays eggs at 2 to 3 per day and may lay 200 to 300 eggs in a lifetime. They can go without food (blood) for up to 140 days.
Bed bugs hide in cracks and small places and are difficult to see, especially in the early molting stages and the eggs are very small and almost invisible to the naked eye. Bed bugs live in clusters, like roaches. They generally will travel 20 or more feet from their nesting area if the host moves to another location. They have been known to move downstairs if the host goes from bedroom to living room. They prefer to feed at night, but will feed during the day if the host is inactive. You may need a flashlight to locate the bed bugs. They will hide in bedding, bed frames, covers, couches and chairs, window and door moldings, behind wall paper and pictures, cracks in flooring, under carpet along walls, wall voids such as light sockets and outlets, luggage and backpacks and clothing. Without your help and cooperation, the problem cannot be resolved. Without your cooperation, the problem will spread to neighboring units. As a result, we will need to act to terminate your lease to resolve the infestation. In laboratory tests, bed bugs have been found to carry the causative agents for several diseases such as yellow fever, typhus, etc; although they have not been found to transmit diseases. We cannot take a chance on the problem spreading to other units.
By signing below, you are agreeing to the preparation required. Treatment by the Pest Management Professional may take up to an hour. With cooperation, we can win the battle in your apartment. Without your cooperation, we will lose the war against bed bugs in the building. If you do not sign this agreement and abide by the listed requirements, this will be cause for termination of your tenancy. You may also be held liable for damages.Resident Responsibility (please initial after reading each point below):
____ I understand that I may need to arrange for family members or friends to help me prepare.
____Remove all lose items from the floor and all items must be away from the baseboards, including toys,
clothing, etc.
____ I understand that my thorough cleaning of the apartment in advance of the treatment will make it easier and more effective. If I use your vacuum, be sure to dispose of the vacuum bag outside in the loading dock dumpster and please tape it shut.
____ All furniture must be moved 3 feet from the walls.
____ Closets – all floors must be cleared of any objects.
____ All shelves must be cleared of any objects.
____ All clothing must be removed and stored in zip lock or sealable plastic bags (after washing in hot water.)
____ Remove all sheets, blankets, mattress covers and pillowcases from all beds, wash in hot water(over 120 degrees F.) at high heat setting. After cleaning place in plastic bags and do not put them back on the bed until the evening after receiving pest control service.
____ Empty all dresser and night stand drawers and remove drawer from dresser or night stand.
____ Remove all clothing, toys, boxes from bedroom floors. Remove all items under beds. Place items in the Kitchen.
____ Stuffed animals should be placed in a clothes dryer on high setting for 10 minutes.
____ Wash all clothing, in water temperature of 120 degrees or higher and dry them on high heat setting. Place the clean items in plastic storage bins or plastic garbage bags. Store them in the kitchen as well until after treatment. When carrying around building the laundry should be in a plastic bag which should be disposed of and a new plastic bag used for the cleaned clothing.
____ Existing beds will be treated based on the condition of the mattress and box springs and the severity of the infestation. If mattresses and or box springs are damaged (including tears or small holes around buttons, rips in seams, etc., the mattress should be disposed of and we will take care of the removal. The mattress will be sealed in plastic before being carried out of the building and will be marked and destroyed before being placed in the dumpster, to make sure the mattress is not returned to another unit. If you insist on keeping the damaged and infested bedding, you will be required to purchase a customized bed bug mattress and box springs cover. You may purchase it though the pest
control vendor and make up to 3 monthly payments for it through the office.
____ Additional furniture such as couches, chairs, etc., will be treated based on the condition of the item of furniture and the severity of the infestation. Some leather furniture may not be treatable. If furniture is damaged (including holes or rips, etc.,) treatment will not be rendered and the items must be discarded. Again, the staff at the community will cover the item with plastic and dispose of the item for you, rendering it unusable. This will include cutting a large X in the upholstery and spray painting it with “Bed Bug Infested.”
____ I understand that I should not purchase used furniture or accept used “free” furniture, under any circumstances and that this is a major source of infestation.
____ If you have a pet, the pet must be removed from the apartment for at least 4 hours following the treatment and cannot be present for the treatment. Fish tanks need to be covered and sealed in plastic and air pump turned off for a 4 hour period, following treatment.
____ Children 10 and under must vacate the apartment during and for a four (4) hour period following treatment as an extra precaution.
____ Anyone that is pregnant, has asthma, heart conditions, or any other respiratory problems must vacate the unit prior to treatment and must consult with their physician as when the reenter the apartment. If you choose to self treat, please understand there are risks of using any chemical and read and follow directions carefully.
____ You will need to repeat all this in two weeks because eggs will hatch and your unit will need to be re-treated.
Apartment Staff:
____ We will pre-inspect on the afternoon before the day of treatment to see if you are properly prepared. We will let you know if there was anything missed.
____ If requested of us, we will put two sided tape around the legs of the bed. Vaseline will also work to prevent the bed bugs from climbing up onto the bed at night. Coating the legs with petroleum jelly is also effective as long as it is not disturbed or brushed off. Bed bugs can’t fly and they can’t get traction on slippery surfaces.
____ You can purchase the approved and certified covers from the office staff and may choose to make three monthly payments with your rent.
____ We can provide limited interim treatments with heat and spray. We may vacuum certain areas to remove eggs and bed bugs and the vacuum bag will be sealed and disposed of. We may help the exterminator get access to cracks and pipe chases for treatment.
____ We will make sure the openings between units are sealed to the best of our ability by caulking any openings that can be accessed. We will look in cabinets, and plumbing chases. We will seal cracks with caulk or sealant.