Bed Bug Heat Treatment Frequently Asked Questions
Straightforward answers to common questions about bed bugs, professional heat treatment, preparation, pricing and what to expect before and after treatment.
What You Need to Know
Bed bugs can be difficult to deal with and there is a lot of conflicting advice online. Here are answers to some of the questions we're regularly asked about professional bed bug heat treatment.
General Bed Bug Questions
Identification, risks and how infestations begin.
What are bed bugs and how do I know if I have them?
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood, usually at night. Common signs include itchy bites, blood spots on sheets, dark faecal marks on mattresses, and seeing live bugs in seams or cracks.
Are bed bugs dangerous?
Bed bugs are not known to spread diseases, but they can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, poor sleep and significant stress.
How do bed bugs get into my home?
They are usually brought in via luggage, second-hand furniture, clothing, or after staying in hotels, hostels or using public transport.
Heat Treatment Questions
How professional bed bug heat treatment works.
What is bed bug heat treatment?
Heat treatment is a professional process where we raise the temperature of your property to a level that kills bed bugs at all life stages, including eggs, without relying on chemicals for the heat stage itself.
Does heat treatment really work?
Yes. When carried out correctly, professional heat treatment is a highly effective method of controlling bed bug infestations.
What temperature kills bed bugs?
Bed bugs and their eggs are killed by sufficient exposure to lethal temperatures. Our professional equipment is used to raise and monitor temperatures throughout the treatment area so the required conditions are achieved.
How long does the treatment take?
Treatment time depends on the property, layout and conditions on the day. Once the required treatment conditions have been established, we maintain an approximately five-hour lethal heat hold.
Is heat treatment safe?
Yes, when performed professionally and the preparation instructions are followed. We use specialist equipment and monitor temperatures throughout treatment.
Will heat damage my belongings?
Most household items can remain, but heat-sensitive, pressurised, flammable and delicate items must be removed or protected as instructed.
See the complete Required Removal List further down this page.
Do I need to leave the property during treatment?
Yes. For safety reasons, people and pets must vacate the property during the treatment process and should not return until advised.
Pricing & Booking
Costs, deposits and treatment arrangements.
How much does bed bug heat treatment cost?
Costs vary depending on property size, infestation, access and treatment requirements. We provide clear pricing after reviewing the property details.
Why is heat treatment more expensive than chemical treatment?
Professional heat treatment requires specialist heating equipment, industrial airflow, temperature monitoring, energy and an experienced technician.
- Targets all bed bug life stages
- Specialist commercial equipment
- Professional temperature monitoring
- Can reduce reliance on repeated spray treatments
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. A 25% deposit is required to secure your booking, with the remaining balance payable on arrival before treatment begins.
Do you offer guarantees?
HeatKillUK provides a limited 6-month warranty where the qualifying conditions are met, including treatment of the complete property and compliance with preparation requirements. Full conditions are explained before booking.
Preparation & Aftercare
Getting the property ready and what happens afterwards.
How do I prepare for heat treatment?
Preparation is important. Depending on the property, you may be asked to:
- Declutter rooms as instructed
- Prepare clothing and bedding as advised
- Provide access to treatment areas
- Remove heat-sensitive items
We provide preparation guidance before your appointment.
What happens after the treatment?
- The property is allowed to cool
- You can return when advised it is safe
- You may find dead bed bugs
- Monitoring continues after treatment
Do I need follow-up treatments?
We normally carry out one heat treatment followed by an inspection approximately 2–3 weeks later. At the follow-up we can inspect the property and use powder and insecticide treatment where appropriate.
Can bed bugs come back after treatment?
Bed bugs can be reintroduced after treatment through travel, visitors, second-hand furniture or other infested belongings. This is different from bed bugs surviving the original treatment.
Property-Specific Questions
Flats, rental properties and neighbouring units.
Can you treat flats and apartments?
Yes. We treat flats, apartments, HMOs and shared buildings. Depending on the circumstances, adjoining units may also need to be considered or inspected.
Do you treat hotels and rental properties?
Yes. We can work with landlords, letting agents, property managers and hospitality businesses.
Will my neighbours be affected?
The heat treatment is carried out within the treatment property. In flats or shared buildings, however, we may recommend that neighbouring or adjoining units are considered for inspection.
Common Concerns
DIY treatment, furniture and hiding places.
Why shouldn't I try to treat bed bugs myself?
DIY treatment can sometimes reduce bed bug numbers, but unsuccessful treatment may miss harbourages and eggs or allow an infestation to continue.
Professional treatment provides specialist equipment, systematic treatment and monitoring that is difficult to reproduce with ordinary domestic products.
Can I stay in the room while it's being treated?
No. The temperatures used during professional heat treatment are not suitable for people or pets to remain inside the property.
Will I need to throw away my mattress or furniture?
In most cases, no. One of the advantages of professional heat treatment is that mattresses, beds, sofas and much of the furniture can normally be treated rather than automatically discarded.
Do bed bugs live in carpets and walls?
Bed bugs can hide in many areas close to where people rest or sleep, including:
- Bed frames and headboards
- Skirting boards and cracks
- Electrical fittings and surrounding voids
- Sofas and upholstered furniture
- Carpet edges and nearby harbourages
Booking & Coverage
Availability, service areas and what to do next.
How quickly can you come out?
Availability varies according to existing bookings, location and the treatment required. Contact us with your postcode and property details and we'll confirm the earliest suitable appointment.
What areas do you cover?
We cover London and many parts of England, including areas across the South East, South, South West, East of England and the Midlands.
Contact us with your postcode and we'll confirm current coverage.
How do I book a treatment?
You can request a quotation through our website or call HeatKillUK directly. We'll review the property details, explain the treatment and confirm the available dates.
I think I have bed bugs — what should I do right now?
- Avoid moving belongings between rooms
- Do not automatically throw away furniture
- Avoid spreading items around the property
- Contact us for advice on the next step
Bed Bug Heat Treatment – Required Removal List
To ensure a safe and effective heat treatment, certain items must be removed from the property before we arrive. High temperatures can damage some materials and may create a safety risk where flammable or pressurised products are present.
Heat-Sensitive & Meltable Items
These items may melt, warp or become damaged under high temperatures:
- Candles and wax products
- Crayons
- Vinyl records
- CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays
- Thin plastic storage boxes
- Soft plastics, bags and packaging
- Cosmetics and makeup
- Lotions, gels and toiletries
- Chocolate and heat-sensitive foods
- Artificial plants and decorations
- Glue-based items
- Plastic window blinds
- Plastic curtain rails
- Shoes containing heat-sensitive glues
Flammable & Pressurised Items
STRICTLY PROHIBITED. These items present a serious safety risk and must be removed.
- Aerosol cans
- Deodorant and hairspray aerosols
- Air freshener aerosols
- Butane, propane and camping gas
- Fire extinguishers
- Lighters and matches
- Paint tins
- Solvents and thinners
- Flammable cleaning chemicals
- Fuel containers of any kind
Medications & Health-Related Items
Heat may reduce effectiveness or damage these items.
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medicines
- Vitamins and supplements
- Insulin
- Temperature-sensitive medication
- Medical devices or supplies
Electronics & Valuable Equipment
Some electronics may tolerate heat, but removal is strongly recommended unless agreed otherwise.
- Laptops and desktop computers
- Televisions
- Gaming consoles
- Routers and internet equipment
- External hard drives and backup devices
- Cameras and photography equipment
Electronics left on-site remain the customer's responsibility unless agreed in writing.
Items Prone to Warping or Damage
- Musical instruments, especially wooden instruments
- Artwork and paintings
- Antique or delicate furniture
- Photographs and albums
- Collectibles and sentimental items
- Laminated or glued materials
- Laminated furniture
Pets, Plants & Living Items
No people, pets or other living items can remain in the property during treatment.
- Dogs and cats
- Birds
- Reptiles
- Other pets
- Fish tanks and aquariums
- House plants
Food & Consumables
- Chocolate and sweets
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Dairy products
- Open food containers
- Heat-sensitive packaged foods
Sealed tins and dry goods are usually safe, but removal is recommended where practical.
Personal & Miscellaneous Items
- Perfumes and aftershaves
- Nail varnish
- Hair wax and gels
- Hair sprays and aerosol products
- Alcohol-based liquids
Important Customer Responsibilities
- If in doubt, remove the item.
- All required items should be removed before our arrival.
- We are not responsible for damage to items left in the property against this guidance.
- Failure to prepare correctly may delay the treatment.
- Additional charges may apply where preparation prevents treatment from proceeding as planned.
- In some circumstances the appointment may need to be cancelled.
✓ Items That Can Usually Remain
Prepared as instructed
As advised
Unsure About Something Before Treatment?
If a heat-sensitive item cannot be removed, protect it as advised. If you're unsure whether something can remain in the property, contact HeatKillUK before your treatment day.
