Heat can wipe out bed bugs in a single day. The crew sets up commercial heaters and fans, and sensors report the temperature deep in mattresses, cushions and along the walls. Most Rodeo homes are ready to use again by evening.
How Heat Gets the Job Done
Holding high heat long enough kills bed bugs at every stage, including eggs, and the bugs cannot build resistance to it the way they do to some sprays. Crews aim to keep even the coolest spot in each room at about 120°F or more, turning mattresses and shifting cushions so no layer stays cool.
On Treatment Day
- Set upThe crew takes out heat-sensitive items and places heaters, fans and wireless sensors.
- WarmTemperatures climb to the target over several hours.
- MaintainReadings are watched and belongings are moved so every spot gets hot.
- FinishAfter cooling, the crew checks results and may apply a residual product at the baseboards.
Heat Treatment in Rodeo Homes
Heat suits families who want no pesticide where children sleep and landlords who need a rental turned around fast. In older Rodeo houses, ask how the crew handles drafty windows, floor gaps and wall cavities so heat does not leak away from the target rooms. In a multi-unit building, ask how they will keep bugs from fleeing into the unit next door.
Take These Out First
- Items that melt or catch fire, such as candles, crayons, lipstick and aerosol cans, along with medications, plants and pets.
- Photographs, records and anything else that can warp.
- Anything the crew lists, which may include certain electronics.
- Keep clothing and bedding in place unless told otherwise.
Questions About Heat Treatment
Will we have to stay somewhere else that night?
Usually not. Once the crew wraps up and the rooms cool back down, most families sleep at home the same night.
Can I just crank up the heater at home?
No. The EPA cautions that home heating cannot warm a room evenly enough to kill bed bugs and may cause a fire.
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 Rodeo. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.