Heat can wipe out bed bugs in a single day, which is a real advantage when the crew is driving an hour or more to reach Portola. The crew sets up commercial heaters and air movers, then reads wireless probes tucked into mattresses, cushions and wall corners.
Why Heat Works
Bed bugs and eggs die when held at a high enough temperature for long enough, and no insect can build up resistance to heat. Our crew generally aims to hold the coolest spots in each room at about 120°F or more, standing mattresses on end and moving cushions so heat reaches every layer.
How the Day Runs
- PrepareHeat-sensitive items come out, then heaters, fans and probes go in.
- Warm upRoom temperatures rise to the target over a few hours.
- HoldReadings are tracked and items are shifted until no cool pocket is left.
- Wrap upOnce cooled, the crew checks results and may apply a residual at the edges.
Heat in Portola's Older Houses
Most homes in 96122 were built between the 1950s and the 1970s, and Portola averages a January low near 19°F. Older windows and lightly insulated walls can lose heat fast in cold weather, so ask whether the crew runs its own generator or needs a particular electrical panel. Late spring through early fall is the easiest window for a heat job.
Take These Out First
- Candles, spray cans, medications, ammunition, lighters, plants and pets.
- Photographs, vinyl records and anything that may soften or melt.
- Electronics or instruments the crew lists for removal.
- Leave clothing and bedding in place unless the crew says otherwise.
Questions About Heat Treatment
Can we sleep at home the night of the heat treatment?
Usually. After the rooms cool and the crew reviews its temperature readings, most households move back in that same evening.
Why not just crank the wood stove?
A home heating system or stove cannot raise every corner evenly enough to kill bed bugs, according to the EPA, and running a stove that hard creates a serious fire hazard.
What happens when you reach out: Bed Bug Control CA provides bed bug inspection and treatment across California. We book an inspection at your Portola home at a time that suits you. You get a written quote before any treatment.