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Facilities Management
FM Employee Section

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, persistent pests that can quickly turn your home into a stressful environment. They hide in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and even cracks in walls, feeding on human blood—usually at night. Although eliminating them may seem overwhelming, following a proper treatment plan can successfully rid your home of these troublesome intruders and restore your peace of mind.

How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs

Though small cases of bed bugs can often be treated on your own, we request that a work order be submitted so our pest control professionals can help. Our goal is to eradicate them from your residence, and prevent it from spreading to other locations.

Step 1. Confirm the Infestation

  • Look for small reddish-brown bugs, tiny white eggs, dark fecal spots, or shed skins.
  • Check mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and nearby furniture.

Step 2: Declutter the Area

  • Remove unnecessary items to reduce hiding spots. Place them in large plastic bags and discard them properly.
  • Seal items you plan to keep in large black plastic bags and place them in direct sunlight for 4–8 hours.
  • Keep them sealed in your unit until your treatment is complete to minimize hiding places for bed bugs.

Step 3: Wash and Heat-Dry Fabrics

  • Wash bedding, curtains, and clothing, then dry them on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
  • Keep only necessary items accessible for daily use, and seal all non-essential items in bags.
  • Bed bugs will not survive after 15 minutes of exposure to 115°F (46°C) heat.

Step 4: Vacuum Thoroughly

  • Vacuum mattresses, box springs, carpets, and cracks in furniture.
  • Immediately seal and discard the vacuum bag outdoors.

Step 5: Use Mattress Encasements

  • Install bed bug-proof covers to trap remaining bugs and prevent new infestations.
  • Keep the covers on for at least 18 months, as bed bugs can survive about a year without feeding inside a mattress encasement.

Step 6: Apply Appropriate Treatments

  • Use EPA-approved bed bug sprays or a steam cleaner to treat all areas where bed bugs may hide. This includes mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, nearby furniture, cracks in walls.
  • Follow label instructions carefully.

Step 7: Monitor and Repeat as Necessary

  • Bedbug eggs can hatch later, so repeat treatment after 7–14 days as needed.

Important Considerations

  • Do not change where you sleep, as this can cause bed bugs to spread to other areas of your home.
  • Refrain from visiting friends’ homes until treatment is complete to prevent spreading bed bugs.
  • Although bed bug sprays and steam treatments are highly effective at killing bugs on contact, carefully following steps 2–5 is critical to fully eliminating them from your residence. Be vigilant and consistent in completing all steps.