It is traumatizing when you first Notice that you have bed bugs in your household and even the process of eliminating them can be quite stressing. But as soon as the treatment is over the job is not over, There are however certain measures that should be pursued to keep the home free from bed bugs after elimination. In this guide, we’ll explain how to act after the bed bug treatment and protect your home against these insects’ return. 
 
Understanding Bed Bug Treatment 

It is, however, important to consider what bed bug treatment entails before going through the post-treatment procedures. A professional bed bug exterminator, will most likely use one or a combination of the following approaches, which are chemical treatment, heat treatment or cryonite treatment. These methods are very successful in eradicating bed bugs however, they do not completely eradicate all the bed bugs and their eggs at once. This is why on post-treatment guidelines, people are advised to adhere to the guidelines given by the exterminator strictly. 

1.  Wait Before Cleaning  
   Finally, one may be tempted to clean his or her house thoroughly after the treatment in order to wash out the chemical smell or other remnants. But one should not immediately do the cleaning as this is the time to do deep cleaning. When professionals are performing bed bug removal services the chemicals they use are formulated to work for more than one day. Cleaning too early can wash away these treatments and thereby cause the area to become re-infected easily. Normally, it is advised that you allow your floors to dry for at least two weeks before vacuuming or mopping the floors. During this time, you can still clean lightly, but anything more than that is a no-no.
    
2. Carry on a Search for Bed Bugs since You Might Still Encounter Them 
   In most cases it is shocking to find bed bugs or their casings after the treatment has been conducted. But even if one sees some of the bugs after the treatment, it does not necessarily imply that the process of extermination was fruitless. Bed bugs are very persistent, and their eggs can easily hatch after the treatment process has been carried out. The good news is that the residual chemical treatments should take care of the rest of the bed bugs or their eggs which might have hatched after the treatment. The main course of action is observation. If there are still live bed bugs after two weeks have passed, then it is wise to consult the exterminator. It is possible that the further treatments may be required.
    
3. Maintain a Clutter-Free Environment 
   This means that clutter offers the bed bugs with many places where they can hide hence making it difficult to fully eradicate the pests. The only other thing that they should do after treatment is to ensure that their surrounding is not cluttered. The first step is to clean your house to eliminate clutter especially in areas that bed bugs prefer to conceal themselves for instance under the beds, closets and furniture. This also helps in making your home unattractive to bed bugs and at the same time enhances future inspections. 
    
4. You should encase your mattress and box spring. 
   There are several things you can do after the treatment, but one of the best things you can do is using bed bug proof covers to encase your mattress and box spring. These covers are intended to contain any residual bed bugs inside them until they die, and they do not allow new bed bugs to get in. This step is very important because mattress and even box springs are favorite places of bed bugs to hide. It also makes the future bed bug inspection much easier since the encasements enable one to notice any signs of infestation easily. 
    
5. Monitor and Inspect Regularly 
   One must carry out a frequent check to avoid the bugs coming back into the house. Look at the obvious areas which are the seams of mattresses, around the bed frame, headboards, and in pieces of furniture. You can also use bed bug interceptors – small cups that should be located under the legs of the bed to catch bed bugs that are moving around. These interceptors are especially helpful in the sense that they notify you before the bed bugs come back into your home. 
    
6. Wash Your Bed Linen and Other Attire As Often As Possible 
   It is also important not to let bed bugs breed in your home, since they cannot withstand extreme heat; so always wash your beddings, clothes, and curtains with hot water. Clean these items with water that is 120°F (49°C) or hotter and tumble dry at the highest heat setting. This will assist in eradicating those that survived the treatment or those that might have crawled back into the same area. It is suggested to follow this routine for few weeks after the treatment to minimize chances of re-infestation.
    
7. Second Hand Products should not be Purchased without Caution 
   Although, people can buy second-hand furniture and clothes for cheap, they are a common cause of bed bugs. Any used item that you buy should also be checked for signs of bed bugs before they are brought into your home. Check for black specks (which are fecal matter), small white round shaped eggs or the bugs themselves. To be even more safe, wash and disinfect these products before bringing them into your home area. 
    
8. Communicate with Your Exterminator 
   Do not forget to stay in touch with your bed bug exterminator after the first round of treatment. They can tell you what to do in your particular case and may recommend to perform a second inspection or treatment. It is also advisable to maintain contact with your exterminator especially when you have some questions or when you note some signs that the treatment is not effective. 
    
9. Consider Preventative Measures 
   To minimize the chances of a re-infestation, you can go for preventions such as bed bug monitors or interceptors. These devices are useful in identifying the presence of the bed bugs in early stages and this will enable one to take action before they become a nuisance. Also, prevent yourself from taking bed bugs into your home by avoiding rooms where they are likely to be found such as hotels and public transport. 
    
10. Educate Yourself and Others 
    It is very important to know as much as possible about bed bugs in order to avoid infestations. Take your time and learn about what bed bugs look like, how they are transmitted and what to do if you ever come across them. You should share this information to your family and friends so they can also do something about bed bugs before they infest your homes too. In order to avoid the invasion of the bed bugs, it is important to be prepared and to prevent this from happening.