How long do you have to stay away after bed bug treatment?

Author: Helen Goldner  |  Last update: Friday, April 4, 2025

Steps to take DURING a bed bug home treatment Evacuate the household, make sure no one stays behind while the residual spraying is on-going. Leave the house vacant at least 4 to 5 hours after treatment is done.

What not to do after bed bug treatment?

You must not:
  1. enter your home for at least two hours afterwards because the insecticide spray can be harmful to people and pets.
  2. vacuum the carpets for at least 15 days to allow the spray time to work.

Can you sleep in your bed after bed bug treatment?

You may continue to sleep in your bed after treatment. Encasements should be put on mattresses and box springs. Any surviving bed bugs in the mattress or box spring will not be able to escape the encasement or bite.

How long after treatment are you bedbug free?

It typically takes anywhere from 2-4 treatment sessions over a period of 3-6 weeks to completely eliminate bed bugs, depending on the level of infestation and the size of the house.

When can I put my clothes back after bed bug treatment?

Clothing should be washed (hot cycle) and placed in dryer on hot or, if already clean, at least placed in the dryer for 1 hour. H eat-dried clothing must be retained in plastic bags or special (covered) plastic bins and not placed back into dresser drawers until after the second treatment.

Doctor explains BED BUGS - including SYMPTOMS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION ( +PHOTOS!)

How long to stay out of house after bed bug treatment?

Leave the house vacant at least 4 to 5 hours after treatment is done. Do not attempt to tag along your pest control technician around the house while they are carrying out the treatment.

Are clothes hanging in a closet safe from bed bugs?

While bed bugs don't typically live in your clothes, they can infest wardrobes or drawers if they're already in your home. If they've made their way into your bedroom, they'll hide in the dark corners of closets or among folded clothes, waiting for their next meal.

Can bed bugs be gone after one treatment?

Answer: Whether or not the first treatment works depends on the extent of the infestation. Keep in mind that it is rare to solve this kind of problem on the first try. An average number of three treatments are needed for bed bug control.

What smells do bed bugs hate?

Bed bugs are sensitive to strong smells and certain scents can help keep them away. Essential oils like lavender, tea tree and peppermint are popular choices. These oils not only smell good but also act as natural repellents.

Is it possible to 100% get rid of bed bugs?

Heat is non-toxic, and can kill all bed bug life stages including bed bug eggs. However, heat treatment of any kind (except your home clothes dryer) is still relatively expensive and has no residual (long lasting) activity. The lack of residual activity means that bed bugs can re-infest again the day after treatment.

Should I throw my bed away if I have bed bugs?

You shouldn't have to throw away any of your possessions during a bed bug infestation. Everything can be salvaged with proper treatment in place. Instead of tossing your clothes and bedding, you should try washing them in a hot water wash. High heat washing and drying consistently kills bed bugs and their eggs.

Why do I still have bed bugs after 3 treatments?

There can be many reasons for failure of a pesticide treatment to completely control the bed bugs, including: Not finding all the bed bugs. Inadequately preparing area (failure to remove clutter, seal cracks and crevices, etc.).

What do I do with my shoes for bed bug treatment?

Wool items, plush toys, shoes and other non washable items should be placed in the dryer at the highest dryer setting for 20 minutes. Seal and throw away bags used to move laundry to be washed. Clean clothing and sheets should be stored in sealed bags or sealed plastic containers until the bed bug problem is stopped.

Should I throw away my vacuum after bed bugs?

If you have used a vacuum cleaner, discard the bag, or empty the receptacle in a sealed plastic bag. All washable parts of the vacuum cleaner should be thoroughly cleaned in hot water and detergent. Infested items for disposal shouldn't be left with the regular building trash.

How to tell if bed bug treatment is working?

If you have had a professional treatment and it has been three weeks since the end of the treatment with no signs of continuing infestation such as bites, live bugs, new fecal matter or cast skins, then it is likely that your bed bug infestation has been controlled. But there may be several complicating factors.

Will I still get bitten after bed bug treatment?

⇒ In case that you react to the bites, 3 weeks with no bites after the initial 2 weeks period waiting time after the treatment is a very good indication that the bed bugs are completely exterminated.

What is bed bug weakness?

If bed bugs have one weakness, it's that they're intolerant of extremely high or low temperatures. Washing clothes and bedding at the highest possible setting followed by drying for at least 30 minutes at high heat should do the trick. You can also freeze clothing or other objects you suspect of being infested.

Does Vicks VapoRub keep bed bugs away?

While some people believe that the strong smell of VapoRub might repel bed bugs, there is no reliable data to support this claim.

What repels bed bugs from biting you?

DEET treated fabric is repellent to bed bugs (Wang et al. 2013). Commercial insect repellents containing DEET for repelling ticks and biting insects are also helpful for preventing bed bugs when applied to outer surface of clothing (Figure 8).

Is one treatment enough for bed bugs?

Bed bugs infestations can often be dealt with using 2-3 chemical treatments that are properly performed by a licensed and experienced pest control contractor. Or, for more advanced and entrenched infestations, a properly performed heat treatment, along with a chemical perimeter treatment, will often take care of it.

How do you know when all bed bugs are gone?

If you don't experience any bites or see evidence of bed bugs in the weeks after treatment, you can be confident that the problem has been taken care of.

What to do with books during bed bug treatment?

We recommend keeping the books stored until you have been able to fully treat the rest of your belongings and your home. It is fine to put any loose items from your bookcase into boxes. Just remember that cardboard can be a haven for bed bugs. So plastic is best.

How long will I see bed bugs after treatment?

How long after treatment do you know bed bugs are gone? Even after one professional treatment, you may still need to be on the lookout to be fully sure that you no longer have bed bugs in your bed. That can take four to six weeks because that is how long it takes to really exterminate bed bugs completely.

Do you have to throw everything away with bed bugs?

In general, you shouldn't have to throw out any items in the midst of or after a bed bug infestation. With proper treatment, all items should be able to be salvaged. Instead of throwing out clothing and bedding, it's recommended to wash them in a hot water washing machine. High heat will kill bed bugs and their eggs.

What laundry detergent kills bed bugs?

Some bed bug products are like additives for regular laundry detergents. They promise additional success rate, but actually, any laundry detergent can handle the same task. If possible, also use a dryer set for at least 30 minutes.

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