Bed Bug Heater Hire

Bed Bug Heater Hire FAQs

Thinking about hiring professional bed bug heat treatment equipment? Below are answers to the most common questions about our bed bug heater hire packages, equipment, preparation, temperatures, delivery and how the treatment works.

Does DIY bed bug heat treatment really work?

Yes, when the correct professional equipment is used and the treatment is carried out properly. Bed bugs are vulnerable to sustained high temperatures, including adults, nymphs and eggs.

The key is not simply making the air in the room hot. Heat must circulate around the room and penetrate mattresses, beds, furniture, carpets and other potential hiding places. That is why our hire packages include powerful indirect diesel heaters, industrial fans and temperature-monitoring equipment rather than just a heater.

Why hire a bed bug heater instead of paying for professional treatment?

The main advantage 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, so you can monitor temperatures and understand exactly how the property has been treated. We provide one-to-one instruction and help you get the equipment set up and running.

Why hire bed bug heaters from MothKill?

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 treatment, instructions on preparation and operation, help setting everything up and telephone support during the treatment.

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

What equipment is included with bed bug heater hire?

Depending on the package, we supply the equipment required to carry out the treatment, which 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 initial setup.

Do you provide instructions on how to use the equipment?

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.

What if I have never carried out heat treatment before?

That's exactly 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 what temperatures to monitor and where. However, you must follow the preparation and safety instructions carefully throughout the treatment.

What temperature should a room reach for bed bug heat 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 we use multiple temperature sensors and air-moving fans to distribute heat throughout the treatment area.

Does heat treatment kill bed bug eggs?

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

This is one of the major advantages of heat treatment because eggs can be more difficult to control with some conventional treatments.

How long does DIY bed bug heat treatment take?

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

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

Can bed bug heat treatment fail?

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

Problems can occur if a room is poorly prepared, there is excessive clutter, heat cannot reach insulated areas or belongings are packed too tightly together. Bed bugs may also be present in areas that have not been treated.

Following the preparation instructions, circulating the heated air correctly and monitoring temperatures throughout the treatment greatly improves the chances of success.

Do I need to prepare the rooms beforehand?

Yes. Correct preparation is extremely important. Clutter can prevent heated air circulating and can create cooler insulated areas where bed bugs may survive.

You will receive preparation instructions before the equipment arrives. Rooms should generally be decluttered, beds and furniture made accessible and heat-sensitive items removed or protected.

Do all my clothes and bedding need to be washed?

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 according to the manufacturer's care instructions.

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

What items must be removed before heat treatment?

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 damaged by heat

Not every glued or plastic 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.

Can heat treatment damage laminated furniture?

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.

Can heat treatment damage plastic items?

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.

Is bed bug heater hire safe?

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. Rooms and temperatures should be monitored throughout treatment and heat-sensitive belongings removed beforehand.

Will there be diesel fumes inside the property?

No. The diesel heater remains outside the property. Combustion gases are exhausted outdoors while clean heated air is passed through ducting into the treatment area.

Can I stay inside during the treatment?

No. 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 treated areas when necessary for monitoring and when it is safe to do so according to the instructions provided.

Do you hire electric bed bug heaters?

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 as well as powerful fans to circulate the air. Simply placing a small electric heater in a room is not equivalent to a professional heat-treatment setup.

Can I use normal space heaters to kill bed bugs?

No. Domestic fan heaters, household radiators and similar equipment should not be relied upon for whole-room bed bug treatment.

Successful heat treatment requires controlled heating, air circulation and temperature monitoring. Attempting to overheat a property using unsuitable domestic heating equipment can also create a safety risk.

What pests can the equipment be used to treat?

Professional heat treatment can be used against a number of insect pests, including:

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

The preparation and treatment method can vary depending on the pest, so tell us what you are treating when you enquire.

Do you hire bed bug heaters for flats?

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

The heaters remain outside and hot air must be safely ducted into the property, so access and equipment positioning are important. If you are in a flat, tell us the floor and describe the access when enquiring so we can confirm whether the property is suitable.

Do you deliver and collect the heaters?

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

Is diesel fuel included?

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

When do I pay for the heater hire?

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

How much does bed bug heater hire cost?

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 and we can advise which package is suitable.

Can I treat a whole house with hired bed bug heaters?

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.

Is DIY bed bug heater hire cheaper than professional heat treatment?

Yes. This is one of the main reasons customers choose our hire service. You carry out much of the treatment yourself while we provide the specialist heating equipment, fans, temperature monitoring, fuel, instructions and support.

It can therefore offer a substantial saving compared with having a technician carry out the entire professional heat treatment for you.

How do I book bed bug heater hire?

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 correct hire package and explain the preparation required before delivery.