Guide

If you’re having issues getting a temperature reading, you may need to do a simple thermometer reset. To reset your thermometer, first, remove all batteries from the device (both from the sensor and the display screen). After all the batteries are removed, first re-insert the display screen batteries. Then, you can reinsert the sensor batteries. This order of battery insertion will reset your thermometer.

Keep in mind, that it can take some time for your unit to fully heat up (sometimes 2-3 hours or more depending on the room, ambient temperature, and size of treatment load). Also, note that the display screen may lose signal if it is too far away from the unit, or if the unit heats above 140°F. If this happens, simply follow the reset instructions above. 

Safety Tip-Over Switch

The Safety Tip-Over Switch is a small black button located on the bottom of the red, square ZappBug thermal unit. When your unit is plugged in, the button should naturally be pressed in. The button must be pressed in for the unit to turn on. Should your unit ever be knocked over, the button would be released, resulting in shutting off power to your unit. This ensures safety in the case of any tip-over accidents.

If you plug in your ZappBug thermal unit and it does not turn on, please check the safety tip-over switch, to verify that it is indeed pushed in.

Overheat Warning

Running your ZappBug chamber in a closet, small room, or a room with a temperature above 99℉ or 37℃ may cause an alarm to sound and ZappBug thermal unit to shut off.  ZappBug thermal units contain safety switches designed to shut off in overly hot environments.  To fix this issue crack a window or door, or move the chamber and ZappBug thermal units to a larger room with temperatures below 99℉ or 37℃

Make sure the intake vent is unobstructed and free of clutter or debris.  If something is blocking the ZappBug thermal units’ air intake it cannot heat the chamber and will shut off to prevent overheating.

If your ZappBug thermal unit has stopped due to overheating you will need to allow at least 20 minutes for the ZappBug thermal unit to cool before you can restart the treatment.

The most common reasons as to why the units might struggle to reach 120°F or above are ambient conditions and item arrangement. The ZappBug Units works best in rooms that are at least 70°F or above. Whenever possible, do not run the unit on hard flooring; if you must, place insulation (such as cardboard or area rugs) between the ZappBug device and the floor, in order to limit heat loss. Always arrange items as spread out as possible to allow air to flow easily throughout the unit. 

If you aren’t receiving a signal from the thermometer probe, you may need to set the probe channel. To do that, remove the back of each thermometer probe and change each probe’s channel by sliding the button to position 1. All probes need to be on the correct channel in order to monitor treatment accurately. 

Hard flooring, such as cement, wood, linoleum, tile, etc. can absorb heat from the ZappBug unit. This won’t cause damage to the floor but may cause your unit to struggle to get up to kill temperatures (120° Fahrenheit).

Resolve this issue by placing an insulator such as an area rug, cardboard (such as the box your unit came in), towels, foam pads, etc. between the flooring and your unit. To test your unit and ensure you have it in the best treatment environment, turn it on while empty. It should take 15-20 minutes to reach 120° Fahrenheit. If it doesn’t reach 120° in 20 minutes please check out the other troubleshooting tips. 

If your unit is struggling to get up to necessary temperatures, you may be overstuffing it. Think of cooking a turkey, the bigger and thicker the turkey, the longer it will take to cook. This is very similar to “cooking” your clothing. We suggest leaving a few inches of a gap between your items and the unit wall, as well as 6-8 inches of clearance in front of the thermal unit so air may circulate around your items. If you are treating thicker items like sweaters or blankets, try to mix in less dense items such as t-shirts and thin cotton.

Researchers have found that bed bugs at all life stages die quickly at temperatures at or above 120°F.  

If you’re having issues getting a temperature reading, you may need to do a simple thermometer reset. To reset your thermometer, first, remove all batteries from the device (both from the sensor and the display screen). After all the batteries are removed, first re-insert the display screen batteries. Then, you can reinsert the sensor batteries. This order of battery insertion will reset your thermometer.

Bed bugs can survive for up to 18 months without feeding. It is critical that all potentially infested items are heat treated or, alternatively, sealed and stored for 18 months.

Bed bugs aren’t always found in beds. They can hide anywhere but they are typically near a food source like a bed, chair or couch where we sleep or rest. Bed bugs can flatten their bodies and slip into tiny cracks. They love cracks in furniture, cardboard, bed frames and other convenient spots.

Bed bugs are unable to climb smooth, nonporous surfaces like those lining the ZappBug devices.

Bed bugs suffer from thermal shock and are immediately unable to move at temperatures above 140°F.

For more information please visit https://www.zappbug.com/get-rid-of-bed-bugs.