Steam kills bed bugs and eggs on contact. The machines professionals bring make a very hot, low-moisture steam that works into tufting and seams while leaving cushions only slightly damp.
Where Steam Does the Most Good
- Mattress seams, tufts and piping, including bunk mattresses.
- Futons, sofa beds and upholstered chairs.
- Dinette cushions and built-in beds in RVs and trailers.
- Pet beds, car seats and bulky items that will not fit in a dryer.
Why Pro Equipment Matters
Home steamers often lose heat at the nozzle or leave fabric damp. Technicians use commercial machines, move slowly along each seam and pair steam with another method, since steam kills on contact only and leaves no protection against bugs that emerge later.
- LocateThe technician finds where bugs are hiding.
- SteamSeams, tufts and joints get slow, careful passes.
- EncaseMattresses often go into sealed bed bug encasements.
- PairSteam is combined with another method and a follow-up visit.
Steam at Shaver Lake Campgrounds and Cabins
Camp Edison on the west shore has around 250 sites, many with hookups, and Dorabelle Campground takes trailers up to 40 feet, so plenty of RVs spend time in 93664. A trailer cannot go under a fumigation tent and is hard to heat evenly, which makes steam a practical tool for its cushions and bedding. In a cabin, steam is handy on guest mattresses and on any used couch or futon before it comes inside.
Preparing for Steam
- Strip beds and bunks and run all bedding through a hot wash and dryer.
- Clear floor space around beds, couches and RV seating.
- Tell the technician about heirlooms, leather or fragile fabric.
Questions About Steam Treatment
Can steam handle the problem alone?
Only for a very small, early case on one bed or chair. Most cabins need a second method that reaches bed frames, paneling gaps and other rooms.
Is steam safe on an old cabin quilt or leather chair?
Most durable fabrics handle professional dry steam fine. Point out antiques, leather and delicate textiles so the technician can test a hidden area 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 Shaver Lake. That company inspects, quotes and does the work.