Steam kills bed bugs and eggs the moment it touches them. The steam pros use is called dry steam: very hot, with so little moisture that it slips into seams and cushions and leaves them barely damp.
Where Steam Works Best
- Mattress seams, tufts and edges.
- Sofas and recliners that double as beds.
- Pickup bench seats, car seats and child car seats.
- Pet beds, drapes and fabric too large for a dryer.
Why a Professional Unit Matters
Household steamers often lose heat at the nozzle or leave fabric damp. Professionals use commercial machines, work slowly along each seam and combine steam with another method, since steam works on contact only and leaves nothing behind to catch bugs that return.
- LocateThe technician finds where the bugs are hiding.
- TreatSeams, tufts and joints are steamed slowly.
- EncaseMattresses often go into bed bug proof covers.
- CombineSteam is paired with another method and a follow-up.
Steam in Firebaugh Homes
More than half of the households in 93622 include children, and many parents choose steam for kids' mattresses and sofas where they want no chemicals. It also works well on the pickups and family cars many Firebaugh residents drive to work each day.
Getting Ready
- Strip all beds and wash and dry the bedding on the hottest setting.
- Clear the floor around beds and sofas.
- Let the technician know about leather or fragile fabric.
Questions About Steam Treatment
Can steam alone treat a whole house?
Only a very small, early case on one bed. Most homes also need a method that reaches bed frames, wall gaps and the other rooms.
Is steam safe on a sofa or pickup truck seat?
Most fabrics handle professional dry steam without trouble. Point out leather or delicate pieces so the technician can test a hidden area first.
How your call is handled: Bed Bug Control CA is a free referral service. When you call or send the form, you are connected with an independent, licensed pest control company that serves Firebaugh. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.