Finding bed bugs in your home is stressful. You may be waking up with bites, spotting dark stains on the sheets, or wondering whether the problem is spreading to other rooms. The good news is that bed bugs can be removed when the treatment is done properly and every step is followed.
At All in One Pest Control, we treat bed bugs in houses, condos and apartments across Toronto. Here is exactly what our team does after we arrive at your home, and what we ask you to do before we get there.
Step 1: Preparation
Good preparation makes the treatment work better, and it is the one step that starts before our technicians arrive. We will give you a checklist when you book, and the main tasks are:
- Pack all your clothes. Put clothing, bedding and linens into sealed plastic bags. Wash and dry what you can on high heat, since heat kills bed bugs at every stage of life.
- Empty the dressers and wardrobes. Our technician needs to reach the drawers, the frames and the corners inside them. Bags and boxes of belongings should be sealed so nothing is exposed during treatment.
- Clear the floor around the bed. Remove items stored under the bed and pull furniture a little away from the walls so we can reach the baseboards.
- Plan for people and pets. We will explain who needs to stay out of the treated rooms and for how long.
If you live in a condo or apartment, let your landlord or property manager know about the problem. Bed bugs travel through walls and hallways, and neighbouring units may need to be checked.
Step 2: Inspection
When our technician arrives, the first job is to find out exactly where the bed bugs are. We do not spray before we look. Bed bugs hide close to where people sleep, so we check:
- Mattress seams, tags and the box spring
- The bed frame, slats and headboard
- Nightstands, dressers and wardrobes
- Baseboards, wall cracks and behind electrical outlets
- Sofas, armchairs and curtains
- Neighbouring rooms, in case the problem has spread
We look for live bugs, shed skins, eggs and the small dark spots they leave behind. The inspection tells us how serious the infestation is and which areas need treatment, so we can explain the plan to you before we begin.
Step 3: Preparing the treatment
Once we know the problem areas, our team prepares the products for your home. The products are mixed and measured following the label directions, and the amount depends on the size of the infestation and the areas being treated.
Our technicians wear protective equipment, including a respirator and gloves, while they prepare and apply treatment. Doing this carefully keeps the treatment effective and keeps your household safe.
Step 4: Treating the affected areas
This is where thoroughness matters most. Bed bugs hide in tiny gaps, so a quick spray over the surface is not enough. Our technicians work through each affected area one at a time, including:
- The bed frame, slats and joints
- The seams and edges of the mattress and box spring
- Baseboards, cracks and crevices near the bed
- Furniture and other spots where the inspection found activity
We take our time and do the job properly, because any area we miss can start the problem again. Before we leave, we explain how long you should stay out of the treated rooms, when it is safe to return, and what to avoid cleaning in the first few days.
Step 5: Follow-ups
Bed bug treatment is not always finished in one visit. Eggs can hatch after the first treatment, so a follow-up visit is an important part of getting rid of them for good. Typically, we come back about two weeks later to check the treated areas and re-treat if we find any activity. Depending on the infestation, more than one follow-up may be needed.
Between visits, you can help by:
- Keeping clothes and bedding sealed until we tell you it is safe to unpack
- Using mattress and box spring encasements
- Telling us right away if you see new bites or live bugs
Tips to avoid bed bugs coming back
- Inspect second-hand furniture and mattresses carefully before bringing them home.
- After a trip, unpack your luggage away from the bedroom and wash your clothes on high heat.
- Keep the area around your bed tidy so any bugs are easier to spot.
Need bed bug treatment in Toronto?
If you think you have bed bugs, do not wait. They multiply quickly and spread to other rooms and other units. Contact All in One Pest Control to book an inspection. Call us at 416-877-0947 or send a message through our website, and our team will get your home back to normal.
