This document is not final and is subject to change.
Wood, composite, metal or plastic, including headboard
Inspection
This is the most important step, and is described in detail on page 33. (Learn more about inspection).
Preferred Control Method
Heat
Hair dryer or space heating. Blow hot air into cracks and crevices of bed frames to
flush bed bugs, and use the crevice tool on a vacuum cleaner to pick them up. Space
heating is effective for large furniture. (Learn more about heat).
Other Control Options
Isolation
If the bed frame has been treated and is bed bug free, pitfall traps can be used to isolate the bed. (Learn more about isolation).
Hand Wash
If possible, bed frames can be dismantled to more effectively clean these spaces. This step should be combined with vacuuming to intercept live bed bugs. Read the section on hand washing for precautions about treating wood furniture. (Learn more about hand wash).
Vacuum
Use of a vacuum alone may not be sufficient to remove bed bugs hiding in cracks and crevices. However, this technique can be combined with using a hair dryer. (Learn more about vacuuming).
Steam
This treatment can damage wooden bed frames, and without proper drying times can cause metal frames to rust. Test steam treatments on a small part of the bed frame before selecting this technique. (Learn more about steam).
Desiccant Dust
See this section for specific instructions. Always read and follow the label instructions. (Learn more about desiccant dust).
Freeze
Some companies offer Cryonite treatment, which is CO2 gas that freezes on contact. Freezing will not damage wood, mattresses, box springs or linens. (Learn more about freezing).
Updated 5/22/2025