Bed bug heat treatment raises the temperature of a room until the bugs die. BPCA’s heat treatment guide says the target is about 50C for two hours, or 52C for one hour, at the insect itself, not just in the room air. This guide explains what that means and which questions to ask a contractor.
How heat treatment works
Heat treatment uses equipment to warm a room or home well above normal temperatures. So the aim is to hold the heat long enough to kill bed bugs at every stage, including those hidden in cracks. Also, it does not rely on a chemical being left on surfaces.
The key idea is that bugs hide. They sit inside furniture, behind skirting and in the gaps around sockets. Heat has to travel into those places and stay there. First, it must get in. Then it must stay long enough, because a brief spike does not do the job. So the question is never whether the room feels hot. The question is whether the hidden spots reached the target.
The temperatures that matter
BPCA’s heat treatment guide gives two combinations, and both depend on time as well as heat. One is about 50C held for two hours. The other is about 52C held for one hour. In both cases, the temperature that counts is the one at the insect.
That is a very different thing from the temperature on a wall thermostat. Air heats quickly. However, mattresses, sofas and thick walls heat slowly. A room can read hot while the inside of a bed base is still cool. This gap is the main reason heat treatment can fail.
Why cold spots cause problems
A cold spot is any place that stays below target while the rest of the room is hot. Because of this, bugs that sit in a cold spot can survive and rebuild numbers. Typical culprits are dense furniture, items stacked against walls and tight gaps.
Preparation reduces cold spots. For example, moving items away from walls lets hot air circulate. Likewise, opening drawers and wardrobes helps. Your contractor should give written instructions, and our page on how to prepare for a visit lists the usual tasks. Poor preparation is also a common reason treatments fail, according to the BPCA.
Ask for a thermolog report
You cannot see a cold spot, so ask for proof. BPCA’s heat treatment guide advises asking for a thermolog or sensor report. It records temperatures at several points through the visit. Then it can show whether hidden places reached the target.
Think of it as a receipt for the work. If the report shows a spot that never got hot enough, you can ask for that area to be treated again. A contractor who cannot give any temperature record is harder to trust, since you cannot check the result. Our list of questions to ask a bed bug exterminator includes this and other checks.
Heat or residual insecticide?
Heat is only one method. The BPCA describes the standard approach as a residual insecticide applied to infested surfaces after an inspection. Many firms offer both. Some also combine them. Our guide to treatment methods compares the options in plain terms.
The right choice depends on your home. For example, think about the size of the property, how far the problem has spread, and who lives there. People with health concerns, pets or young children may prefer one method over another. Ask the contractor to explain why they recommend their choice, and what the follow-up plan is.
Preparing a home for heat
Heat treatment asks more of the occupier than people expect. Manchester City Council says the occupier must complete the preparation instructions or treatment cannot go ahead. The same principle applies to private firms, so ask for the list early and allow time to do it.
For example, typical tasks include clearing floors, bagging clothes and moving furniture away from walls. Also ask about items that heat can damage. Heat can damage some belongings, so a good contractor will tell you what to remove or protect. If anything is unclear, ask before the day, not during the visit.
Questions to ask before you book
A short list of questions shows how a firm works. First, ask how the firm measures temperature and whether it will share the record. Then ask how it handles cold spots, and what it does if a sensor reads low.
Next, ask what the guarantee covers and how long it lasts. Also ask how many visits are planned and what a revisit costs. Finally, ask what you need to do before and after the visit. Clear, written answers are a good sign, while vague answers are a reason to keep looking.
What about cost?
We do not have a trusted UK-wide price for private heat treatment, so we do not quote one. Prices differ between firms and between properties, so compare like with like. Quotes should say what is included, because that is how you compare them fairly. They should also list how many visits are planned and what the guarantee covers.
Our guide to bed bug exterminator costs explains how to compare quotes without relying on invented averages. The only prices we can cite are published council charges, which vary by city. For example, our bed bug help in Birmingham page notes that the council signposts residents to the BPCA’s find a pest controller tool rather than treating bed bugs itself.
Heat treatment in flats and shared buildings
However, heat treatment in one flat does not fix a neighbour’s problem. The BPCA says bed bugs migrate, so untreated homes above, below and either side can send them back. In a block, the plan should cover more than one unit. Read our guide to bed bugs in flats and shared buildings for how landlords and managing agents fit in.
While the answer depends on your tenancy, it is worth asking your landlord who will arrange and pay for treatment. Our article on who pays when tenants find bed bugs explains the position from Shelter and Citizens Advice. Meanwhile, keep notes of dates, photos and messages.
Local council help
Not every council treats bed bugs, so heat may not be on offer locally. Our review of whether councils treat bed bugs compares what several cities say. You can also read our Edinburgh area guide and bed bug help in Cardiff. Cardiff Council says it cannot treat bed bugs in residential properties at the moment, so a private firm may be the main route there.
After the heat has gone
Treatment is not the end of the job. First, follow the contractor’s written instructions, and watch for new signs over the following weeks. Seeing a few bugs soon after treatment is common, so do not panic. Our guide to what to expect after treatment explains the early weeks.
To avoid a repeat, think about how the bugs arrived. Luggage, clothes and second-hand furniture are all common routes. See our guide to bed bugs, travel and second-hand furniture. If you worry about your health, read whether bed bugs are dangerous. The BPCA reports no known disease risk from bed bug bites, and the NHS says bites do not usually cause other health problems.
Ready to ask for help?
If you want a professional to look at your home, request help through the form on this site. Tell us the type of property and where you have seen signs. Please do not include any payment details.
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Frequently asked questions
What temperature does bed bug heat treatment need to reach?
BPCA's heat treatment guide says the target is about 50C for two hours, or 52C for one hour, at the insect itself. The temperature of the room air is not enough. The heat has to reach the places where bugs hide.
What is a cold spot in heat treatment?
A cold spot is a place that stays below the target temperature even when the room air is hot. Dense furniture, wall voids and tight gaps are typical examples. Bugs in a cold spot can survive.
How can I check a heat treatment worked?
Ask for a thermolog or sensor report. It records temperatures at several points during the visit, so it can expose cold spots. A good contractor should be happy to share it.
Is heat better than spray?
Neither is better in every home. The BPCA describes heat as one option, and the standard alternative is a residual insecticide. The right choice depends on the property, the extent of the problem and your circumstances.