It can be effective when suitable professional equipment is used correctly and lethal temperatures are achieved throughout the relevant bed bug harbourages.

Bed bugs are vulnerable to sustained high temperatures, including adults, nymphs and eggs.

The key is not simply making the room air hot. Heat needs to circulate and reach mattresses, beds, furniture, carpets and other potential hiding places.

That is why our hire packages use powerful indirect diesel heaters, industrial fans and temperature-monitoring equipment rather than simply supplying a heater.

One of the main advantages is cost. Hiring professional heat-treatment equipment allows you to carry out much of the treatment yourself while using the same type of powerful equipment used for professional pest heat treatments.

You are also involved in the process and can monitor temperatures throughout the treatment. We provide one-to-one instruction and help you get the equipment set up and running.

MothKill specialises in insect heat treatment. We do not simply drop off a heater and leave you to work everything out yourself.

Your hire package includes the equipment required for the agreed treatment, preparation and operating instructions, help with initial setup and telephone support during the treatment.

Successful heat treatment requires more than a heater. Air circulation, temperature monitoring, preparation and correct equipment positioning are all important.

Depending on the package and treatment requirements, equipment supplied can include:

• Powerful indirect diesel heaters
• Heat-resistant ducting
• Industrial air-moving fans
• Temperature sensors and monitors
• Thermal imaging equipment
• Extension leads and transformers
• Rain covers
• Heat-resistant blankets and clamps
• Safety barriers
• Diesel fuel

We also provide instructions and help with the initial setup.

Yes. We provide one-to-one instruction and help you set up the equipment and get the treatment started.

We explain heater positioning, fan placement, temperature monitoring and the preparation required before treatment. Telephone support is also available during the hire period if you need guidance.

That's what our DIY hire service is designed for. You do not need to already be a pest-control technician.

We show you how the equipment works, help with setup and explain the temperatures to monitor and where. You must, however, follow the preparation, operating and safety instructions carefully throughout the treatment.

During treatment, room air temperatures will commonly reach around 50–60°C or higher in selected areas. However, air temperature alone does not determine whether the treatment has worked.

The important factor is whether beds, mattresses, carpets, furniture and other potential harbourages reach and maintain lethal temperatures.

This is why temperature sensors and air-moving fans are used throughout the treatment.

Yes. When sufficient temperatures are achieved and maintained for an appropriate period, heat can kill bed bugs at all life stages, including eggs.

This is an important advantage of heat treatment because eggs can be more difficult to control with some conventional treatments.

Treatment time depends on the size, layout and contents of the room. As a general guide, we normally allow around six hours, although smaller rooms may reach the required conditions sooner and larger or heavily furnished areas can take longer.

Treatment should be guided by temperature readings rather than the clock alone.

Yes. Heat treatment can be highly effective, but no responsible pest treatment should be described as impossible to fail.

Problems can occur when a room is poorly prepared, excessive clutter prevents heat circulation, insulated areas remain too cool, belongings are packed too tightly or bed bugs are present in areas that have not been treated.

Following the preparation instructions, circulating the heated air correctly and monitoring temperatures throughout treatment greatly improves the likelihood of a successful treatment.

Yes. Correct preparation is extremely important. Clutter can restrict heated-air circulation and create cooler, insulated areas where bed bugs may survive.

Preparation instructions are provided before the equipment arrives. Rooms should generally be decluttered, beds and furniture made accessible and heat-sensitive items removed or protected as instructed.

Not necessarily. The correct approach depends on how the property is being treated.

Clothing and bedding that can safely tolerate heat can often remain within the treatment process when arranged correctly. Alternatively, suitable items can be tumble dried at a high temperature in accordance with the manufacturer's care instructions.

Avoid moving potentially infested clothing or bedding into untreated rooms, as this can spread bed bugs around the property.

Some belongings can be damaged or become unsafe when exposed to prolonged high temperatures. Items that may need to be removed or protected include:

• Aerosols and pressurised containers
• Lighters and flammable products
• Prescription and over-the-counter medicines
• Cosmetics and perfumes
• Candles and wax products
• Plants and pets
• Vinyl records and photographic film
• Delicate artwork and antiques
• Some electronics
• Heat-sensitive plastics
• Plastic blinds and curtain rails
• Some laminated or glued furniture
• Musical instruments
• Food and drinks that may be affected by heat

Not every plastic, laminated or glued item will necessarily be damaged, but materials respond differently to prolonged high temperatures. If you are unsure about an item, remove it or ask us before treatment.

It can. Some laminated and MDF furniture relies on adhesives that may soften when exposed to high temperatures. This can cause edging or laminate to lift or separate.

We therefore recommend removing vulnerable laminated furniture where practical or discussing it with us before treatment.

Some plastics can soften, distort or warp at elevated temperatures. Plastic blinds, curtain rails, lightweight mouldings and similar items can be particularly vulnerable.

Heat-sensitive plastics should be removed before treatment wherever practical.

Our system uses indirect diesel heaters positioned outside the property. Clean heated air is ducted inside while combustion gases remain outside.

As with any high-temperature equipment, the system must be operated according to the instructions provided. Treatment temperatures should be monitored and heat-sensitive belongings removed or protected beforehand.

The diesel heater remains outside the property. Combustion gases are exhausted outdoors while clean heated air is passed through ducting into the treatment area.

People and pets should not remain in the heated treatment area.

Temperatures become uncomfortable and surfaces, ducting and equipment can become very hot. Only enter treatment areas when necessary for monitoring and when it is safe to do so in accordance with the instructions provided.

Our main whole-room systems use powerful indirect diesel heaters rather than relying on small domestic electric heaters.

Heating an entire room and its contents requires substantial heating capacity together with powerful air-moving fans and temperature monitoring.

Domestic fan heaters, household radiators and similar equipment should not be relied upon for whole-room bed bug treatment.

Effective whole-room heat treatment requires controlled heating, air circulation and temperature monitoring. Attempting to overheat a property with unsuitable domestic heating equipment can also create a safety risk.

Professional heat treatment can be used against several insect pests, including:

• Bed bugs
• Clothes moths
• Carpet beetles
• Fleas
• Some other stored-product and crawling insects

Preparation and treatment methods can vary depending on the pest, so tell us what you are treating when you enquire.

Our standard hire service is suitable for ground-floor flats with suitable access.

The heaters remain outside and heated air must be safely ducted into the property, so access and equipment positioning are important.

If you live in a flat, tell us the floor and describe the access when enquiring so we can confirm whether the property is suitable.

Yes. Delivery and collection are included within the applicable service area.

Yes. The diesel required for the agreed treatment package is included, so you do not need to arrange fuel separately.

The hire charge and equipment deposit must be paid in full before the hire begins.

Our current DIY heat-treatment packages start from £895.

Package options are available for smaller treatments through to complete houses, with the number of heaters and equipment supplied matched to the size of the treatment.

Check the prices shown on this page or contact MothKill with your property size and postcode so we can advise which package is suitable.

Yes, subject to the property being suitable. Larger packages include multiple indirect diesel heaters so several rooms can be treated as part of the same treatment.

For a whole-house treatment, tell us the number of bedrooms, approximate number of rooms, property type and postcode so we can recommend the appropriate equipment package.

It can provide a substantial saving compared with having a technician carry out the entire professional treatment.

You carry out much of the treatment yourself while MothKill provides the specialist heating equipment, fans, temperature monitoring, fuel, instructions and support.

Contact MothKill with your postcode, property type and number of rooms you want to treat.

We can then confirm whether the property is suitable, recommend the appropriate hire package and explain the preparation required before delivery.