Our specialist heat treatment for bed bugs has been developed and perfected over 15 years. Rooms are gradually super-heated using special mobile convection heaters. Hot air is circulated within the rooms and (when done correctly) penetrates all the hardest-to-reach cracks and crevices where the bugs like to harbour. Wireless sensors linked to a data logger are placed in the most difficult to reach areas to ensure the heat penetrates fully. These are plotted on a laptop so that we can be certain all parts of the room have reached the required temperature for the required amount of time.

A big reason why bed bugs are so feared is that they actually feed on the blood of humans, typically while people are sleeping. Bed bugs can leave behind bites that may appear as red, raised welts and that may be itchy and even painful for some people, similar to a mosquito bite. However, some people may not even react to bed bug bites, so they may not even be aware that they’re being fed on. Bed bugs can also leave behind unappealing small, brown fecal spots, translucent bed bug eggs and shed nymph exoskeletons.

To the untrained eye, these pests can be challenging to spot. Adults are only about 4–5 millimeters long (about the size of apple seeds), and nymphs are smaller and translucent, which makes them hard to see. They are good at hiding and often seek cracks and crevices of furniture and walls as well as the underside of carpets and other hard-to-access areas.

Another reason why bed bugs are such a nuisance is that they are difficult to control and resistant to many pesticides. A single product or technique alone is unlikely to be effective on infestations.

The most important thing that retail store owners and managers can do is to simply be aware of this growing problem. Learn to recognize bed bugs and their signs, and be alert to the possibility of bed bugs coming into the store. Like many other pests, bed bugs can establish large infestations rapidly, so quick action is key.

Here are some other steps that retail businesses can take:

1. Educate store staff about bed bugs so they know what to look for and what to do if they see signs.
2. Watch for signs of bed bugs, especially on clothing and upholstered furniture.
3. If you have fitting rooms or waiting areas, keep a special eye out in these locations. Make sure fitting rooms and waiting areas in your store are vacuumed frequently, paying close attention to cracks, crevices, upholstered furniture seams and where carpeting meets the walls.
4. Clear out clutter from storage rooms, checkout areas and employee break rooms.
5. Inspect all deliveries, shipments and returns for signs of bed bugs.
6. Have a program in place for what to do if bed bugs are found in the store, including bagging infested items in plastic bags.
7. Get professional help. A commercial pest control partner with experience in serving retail businesses can help you detect infestations early as well as help prevent future problems. Heat and Go offers customized bed bug treatments employing multiple methods, including steam, physical removal with a HEPA vacuum, targeted application of pesticides and other proven solutions.

Some preparation is needed from you to ensure we can get the best result for you and can offer the guarantee. In general terms the key is that the rooms to be treated are uncluttered and certain items that will respond adversely to the heat (eg make-up, plants) are removed. There will be some bagging up and washing to do prior to the treatment taking place. On booking we will send you a document outlining the advised preparation.