Bed bug plan
What we're doing
Three things kill bed bugs: heat, plastic, and time. The hot dryer kills them and their eggs. Sealed plastic bags hold them in until they starve. Time finishes the rest.
Over the next few weeks, you're moving to the living room with a fresh mattress, running clothes through the dryer one bag at a time, and letting the bedroom sit empty until the bugs starve out. No exterminator. No chemicals.
The plan, day by day
- Tue Apr 28Today — keep going.
You're already doing the work. Don't throw away anything important until you've talked to Ben. Sheets come tomorrow.
- Wed Apr 29Sheets arrive in the mail.
Leave them sealed in the original packaging, in the living room, until Thursday.
- Thu Apr 30New mattress day. Set aside about an hour.
The Cozy City metal frame and the twin mattress arrive. The frame needs assembly with the included Allen key — lay the parts out, count the screws, loose-attach everything before tightening anything (or the last holes won't line up). Build it in the corner where it will live; don't drag it across the room. No box spring is needed — the frame is the platform. Once the frame is together, put the mattress on top and slip the SafeNest waterproof protector over it like a fitted sheet. Lift one corner of the bed at a time and slide one of the little black plastic interceptor cups under each leg — there are six legs, and every single one needs a cup. Pull the bed at least a hand-span away from the wall. Make it up with the new sheets — nothing hangs to the floor. Sleep here tonight.
- Fri May 1First laundry day.
One or two loads. Hot dryer, 45 minutes each. Then shower and put on clean clothes from a Ziploc.
- Sat May 2Take the trash bags to the dumpster.
All the sealed black bags from the bedroom go out to the dumpster today. Take them one at a time if that's easier. One or two more dryer loads if you're up to it.
- Sun May 3Rest.
Look at the six little black plastic cups under the bed legs in the morning. One easy load if you want — but only if you want.
- Mon May 4First weekly check-in.
Look at all six black cups under the bed legs. Look at the sheets. Look at your arms and legs for new bites. Tell Ben what you see.
- Weeks 2 — 4One load a day, max.
Don't try to do it all at once. Slow and steady. Check the cups every morning. Same as before: hot dryer, 45 minutes, sealed Ziploc with the date.
- ~Mid-JuneSix-week check.
If nothing has shown up in the cups and you have no new bites, the plan is working. Ben will let you know what comes next.
- ~October 2027Open the sealed bins.
Eighteen months from when the bedroom was sealed off. Anything stored in there comes out, gets a careful look, and goes back into your life.
When you're actually doing it
Three short reference cards. Open the one you need.