Steam kills bed bugs and eggs the instant it touches them. Pros rely on low-moisture dry steam, hot enough to kill on contact while leaving cushions and mattress ticking only slightly damp.
Where Steam Works Best
- Mattress seams, tufts and piping.
- Sofas, upholstered chairs and fabric headboards.
- Car seats and child safety seats.
- Dog beds, long drapes and fabric pieces that will not fit in a dryer or would be ruined by one.
Why Use a Professional Steamer
Home steamers often cool down at the tip or leave fabric wet. Professionals use commercial units, move slowly along every seam and combine steam with another method, since steam leaves nothing behind to stop bugs that return.
- FindThe technician locates where the bugs are hiding.
- SteamSeams and joints are treated slowly and thoroughly.
- CoverMattresses often go into bed bug proof encasements.
- PairSteam is combined with another method and a follow-up visit.
Steam in Lafayette Homes
Steam fits Lafayette homes with upholstered antiques and fine fabrics that should not go through a heat treatment. It is also a smart step for an estate sale chair or a used mattress before it comes inside, and for parents who want no chemicals on a child's bed.
How to Prepare
- Take all bedding off and send it through a hot wash and a long, hot dry.
- Clear items off the floor near beds and seating.
- Point out any delicate or valuable fabric to the technician.
Questions About Steam Treatment
Is steam enough by itself?
Only for a tiny, early case on a single bed. In most houses steam is paired with a treatment that also covers bed frames, baseboards and the rooms next door.
Will steam hurt an upholstered antique?
Most fabric handles professional dry steam, but tell the technician about silk, velvet, leather or fragile pieces so a hidden spot can be tested 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 Lafayette. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.