Heat
- Remove what heat damages — Virginia Tech’s list: “All houseplants, pets, candles, lipstick, and combustibles (aerosol cans and cigarette lighters),” plus “non-refrigerated produce, medications, stringed instruments, family heirlooms, and photographs.”
- Electronics disconnected; televisions “removed or wrapped in blankets.”
- Clutter stays. “Clutter removal should not be required as part of heat treatment preparation.”
- Out for the day, with pets.
Chemical
- Launder and dry everything washable on high for 30 minutes (OSU: ≥130°F); bag it clean and keep it sealed until visit two.
- Pull furniture a foot from walls; empty nightstands and dressers.
- Vacuum seams and edges with a HEPA vacuum; bag the contents and take them outside.
- Encase the mattress and box spring and leave the covers on.
Either way
Do not throw the bed out; beds treat. Do not steam the mattress yourself; OSU: “generally not recommended because it is difficult to get rid of excess moisture.” Do not carry infested items through shared hallways unbagged.
Figures cited: Ohio State University Extension ENT-0103 (2025) and HYG-2105 (2020);
Virginia Cooperative Extension ENTO-583NP (2024); Kells & Goblirsch, Insects 2(3):412–422
(2011); Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County program pages (read 2026-10-08). Not medical advice.