When it comes to bed bug treatment in Knoxville, our 47+ years in the business have taught us that the most effective option is thermal heat treatment. Bed bugs and their eggs cannot survive at a temperature over 120°F, so by heating the property to this temperature for an extended period of time, we can get a 100% extermination rate. No other treatment method on the market can offer this level of success.

Let's take a closer look at what is involved in thermal bed bug treatment in Knoxville.

How Does Thermal Heat Treatment Work?

If we were to explain how thermal bed bug treatment in Knoxville works in the most basic terms, we would say that it dehydrates the bugs! Prolonged exposure to temperatures of 120°F and above will dry out the bug's body and kill any eggs that are yet to hatch. The more complex explanation is that the proteins in the bed bugs' DNA begins to break down over a specific temperature, and cells will cease to function, resulting in death. During the treatment, high-powered fans ensure an even distribution of heat throughout the entire property for one to two hours in order to eliminate the infestation.

Preparing Your Home for Thermal Bed Bug Treatment in Knoxville

When you book thermal bed bug treatment in Knoxville, you should be expected to vacate the property for most of the day. We advise our customers to take only the bare minimum with them, as any of your belongings could harbor bed bugs. We suggest grabbing just your wallet, phone, and keys. Leave your purse behind, as this is a common cause of recontamination! Just one breeding pair of bed bugs can result in over 7 million bed bugs over a period of 4 months if left untreated! That's why it is essential to eliminate every trace of them during your thermal bed bug treatment in Knoxville.

There are a few exceptions to the rule about leaving your belongings behind. Since it will get sweltering inside during the treatment, you will need to remove anything that might melt or be damaged during the treatment. This includes:

• Candles
• Chocolate
• Make-Up
• Aerosols & Pressurized Items
• Fresh Produce
• Firearms & Ammunition
• Photo Negatives
• Vinyl Records
• Vinyl Miniblinds
• Flammables (Alcohol, Solvents, Fuel)
• House Plants
• Pets (Including Fish or Reptile Tanks)
• Medications

Note that any items you remove temporarily, including the personal items you have with you when leaving for the day, should be thoroughly inspected and sanitized before reintroducing them to the property after the heat treatment is complete.

It is important to note that for a thorough thermal bed bug treatment in Knoxville to be carried out, the technicians will need access to everything in the home, including clothing, shoes, and bedding. It is not unusual for some items to be in disarray following treatment. Mattresses will need to be flipped, closets opened, and drawers removed. Clothing that is not hanging in the closet or placed in drawers can be left in open weave laundry baskets to allow the heat to circulate. Tightly packed clothing or linens may need to be spread out for treatment. The fans used in the treatment are high-powered, so you will want to secure loose papers and wall hangings. It is safe to leave electronics in the property during heat treatment, but they should be unplugged and covered with a clean towel.

We use top-of-the-line thermal heat equipment from GreenTech Heat Solutions. They provide a very informative first-hand account of a complete treatment on their website, which might help prepare you for your own treatment.

What to Do After Heat Treatment

Once you return home after the bed bug treatment in Knoxville has been completed, you may find the property feels hotter than usual. Feel free to open your windows or turn on the air conditioning. You will want to place the clothing you wore to leave the house in the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes to kill any lingering bed bugs or eggs. You should inspect and sanitize anything you are bringing back into the home to make sure it does not aid in reinfestation. We guarantee to eliminate the current infestation; however, we cannot put a guarantee on any NEW infestations that may occur after we eliminate your current infestation.

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Otis Termite & Pest Control is a full-service pest control company with a focus on outstanding service. We have been serving the East Tennessee area for over 56 years and our reputation is built on prompt and effective service. We’re good at what we do and we’re fast. We do the job right the first time – and that’s an actual guarantee! 

Call 865.690.1662 or visit www.otispestcontrol.net.