Before your home is treated for bedbugs, you need to help in preparing to get the most out of the treatment.  Because bedbugs are travelers and move around a lot, you need to start by vacuuming the floors and the furniture thoroughly (if possible, shampoo or steam clean these areas). All the bedding needs to be stripped down to the mattresses, and the bedding washed in hot laundry detergent. Bedding is the most common place that bedbugs are found, in and around the creases in the mattresses and box springs or base.  Also, they are found in the furniture like bed frames, headboards, nightstands, dressers, and other furniture.  The furniture in the living room can also be areas where bedbugs can hide.  All of the floors, the bedding, and the furniture will need to be treated so plan to have all pets, children, and the people away for at least 2 to 3 hours during and after treatment.  Because all of theses areas listed above are being treated, you need to remove all pet items, children toys and clothes, shoes and clothing from the treated areas.  Because these insects lay eggs, and eggs are naturally protected by Mother Nature, you may need to treat again within 10 days.  Bedbugs may require multiple treatments depending upon environmental conditions at the home.  People can carry bedbugs from one location to another, and may not even be aware they are doing so—these things will also determine how many treatments may be necessary.