Heat can clear a home of bed bugs in one day. The crew sets up commercial heaters and fans and uses sensors to track temperatures inside mattresses, cushions and along the walls. In most Port Costa homes you can move back in that same evening.
Why Heat Works
Bed bugs and their eggs die when held at high heat long enough, and unlike with some chemicals, they cannot build resistance to it. Crews typically hold the coolest spots in each room at about 120°F or more, shifting cushions and standing mattresses on edge so heat reaches every layer.
How the Day Runs
- Set upMeltable items are removed, then the crew places heaters, fans and probes.
- Warm upRooms rise to the target over a few hours.
- HoldThe crew watches the readings and moves things so no corner stays cool.
- Wrap upAfter cooling, the crew checks results and may add a residual at edges.
Heat in Port Costa's Older Homes
Heat is a good fit for people who want no pesticide on beds and for landlords who need a unit back quickly. Many buildings in the village are decades old, and some go back to the 1880s, so have the crew look at the electrical panel first and ask whether it brings its own power source.
Take These Out First
- Candles, crayons, lipstick, aerosols, medicines, plants and pets.
- Photos, vinyl records and anything that may warp or melt.
- Electronics or instruments on the crew's list.
- Leave clothing and bedding where they are unless told otherwise.
Questions About Heat Treatment
Can we sleep at home the same night?
In most cases, yes. After the rooms cool and the crew checks results, many people are back that evening.
Could I just crank the wall heater or a space heater?
No. The EPA warns that home heaters cannot warm a room evenly enough to kill bed bugs, and they raise the risk of fire, especially in an old wood building.
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 Port Costa. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.