Before a bed bug assessment at home
Prepare useful room and access information for a bed bug assessment without moving belongings before you have a clear plan.
Explain what prompted the enquiry
Describe any visible insect, spotting or shed material and the furniture where it was found. Skin marks alone do not establish a bed bug problem. Include other sleeping spaces and upholstered furniture if you have noticed evidence there, but keep a direct observation separate from a worry about what might be affected.
Wait for instructions before reorganizing
The EPA emphasizes preparation and advises against moving items from an infested room to an unaffected one. Ask for instructions suited to the planned assessment or treatment before moving furniture or carrying bags through the home. A general internet checklist may not match the work proposed for your rooms.
Make preparation workable for the household
Explain if an occupant cannot move furniture, if storage is limited or if someone else needs to receive instructions. Ask what must be completed before the appointment and which tasks can be discussed at the assessment. Pets, room access and the use of treated spaces should be addressed in the specific plan.
Ask what happens after the first visit
Find out how findings will be recorded, which rooms are included and what follow-up checks involve. Ask how to report later evidence rather than guessing whether every mark represents continued activity. For a rental or shared property, decide who coordinates with the owner or manager and passes information to the people using the rooms.
Illustration created for this guide; it is not a photograph of a customer property.
