MY AMAZON REVIEW OF ZAPPBUGBecause my granddaughter was to return from South America, and knew she had Bed Bugs, I researched how to avoid bringing them into my home. I purchased and used the ZappBug Heater, but that was my SECOND STEP in the process.FIRST AT THE LAUNDROMAT:She took an Uber (didn’t want her or her stuff in my car) from the airport to a laundromat that I had determined heated their dryers well above the 120̊ required to kill bed bugs and I met her there. Everything that could tolerate high heat went into the dryer including her backpack, shoes, money belt - everything but the electronics. She changed into the clean clothes and shoes I brought, and those items also went into the dryer which I ran for 1 hour on HOT. The electronics all went into a hard plastic container with a top that sealed tight. Then we DOUBLE BAGGED the an appropriate amount of items from the dryer into multiple bags so that when each bag was opened at home, everything in it could fit into the ZAPPBUG HEATER at one time.SECOND AT HOME USING THE ZAPPBUG HEATER:All the bags/containers went onto the balcony. Alternately, into a bathtub - not near anyplace they would be likely to hide. Each bag, one at a time was turned upside down to open directly into the heater which was already set up and connected following the instructions. The manufacturer has a customer service representative who was really helpful. I ran multiple loads through the heater according to their directions, immediately putting the bags that had held the clothing into a clean bag while holding them INSIDE the heater so nothing could escape. I immediately disposed of the used bags OUT OF THE HOUSE each time I emptied a bag. When the items came out of the heater, I spread the items out in a contained area according to the handler who was bringing the dog.THIRD - HIRED THE DOG THAT CAN SMELL BEDBUGS:I was able to arrange for the handler to bring the dog early the next morning having followed his directions about turning the AC and fan OFF prior to his arrival so that the odor of the bugs would be able to be smelled by the dog. I had the electronics, in the container with the lid off, in a separate room (the bathtub) so that if bugs were found I would know if they were in the items that could undergo heat again, or in the electronics that cannot be heated.If they had been found in the electronics I had a plan that I was very glad I didn’t have to use because it involved a very highly toxic material (Nuvan ProStrips - Package of 12 Strips with 12 Cages - 16 Gram). The technican that works for the company that manufactures Nuvan spoke to me on the phone with precise directions and real cautions about handing the highly toxic product.) The dog handler advised me NOT TO KEEP THE NUVAN if I didn’t need to use it.<br>I was moving & worried how I would leave bugs behind. I had been tortured by those damn things for over a year & thought I would have to throw everything but my clothes away; but my son had toys that he loved & I'm not rich so I found this! I wanted to wait a couple months to make sure I didn't bring any with me since the rule is 60 days of no bites = big free. Its almost been 3 months since I moved and nothing! Im so happy I don't have to sleep with a flashlight, cover up my kids in long clothes to protect him & not have to spray harmful substances/alcohol to keep them at bay. I did use other precautions like wash/dry all my clothes; immediately take my clothes I was wearing off into plastic zip lock bags & shower (same with my kid) etc etc. But I am living proof you can move without taking any bugs with you!Don't pack it too full though, it may be time consuming but its well worth the effort to do it right to get rid of these damn things. They are a nightmare!<br>Product works great, just load your stuff into it, insert the internal temperature sensor and set it on the included self-timer for a few hours. Super simple, and necessary if you travel or ever use public transportation. Since DDT was banned bedbugs are back and they're everywhere nowadays, and airplanes/trains/hotels make it easier than ever to pick them up in your luggage without even knowing. Unfortunately as I found out, bedbugs are almost impossible to get rid without using a combination of a Pest Control Service, Cimexa non-toxic silica dust and HEAT. But I couldn't run my suitcase in the dryer... Enter the Zappbug!I use the "bug-oven", as I call it, for my suitcase whenever I travel, and whatever else I don't want to run through a clothes dryer. The golden rule of killing bedbugs with heat is 120 degrees F for at least 45 minutes. The eggs and nymphs are super resistant unfortunately so be sure to get it hot enough for long enough to ensure death of all bedbugs, nymphs and eggs. 1 hour in the clothes dryer on high for clothes/linens, or about 4 hours with the Zappbug.This comes with a self-timer, so you can set it to automatically turn off after 0.5/2/4/8 hours. Usually 4-8 is the safest bet. I usually can get my empty suitcase, purse and shoes done in 2-4 hours, sooner if I'm checking the included temperature sensor; once it hits 120, I wait 45 minutes and then it's done.This product worked perfectly for the last three months, but unfortunately it seems the thermal unit may have overheated and the heating component failed recently. Initially I was frustrated but I called them and after a quick conversation with the customer support/sales lady she was able to set me up with an exchange for a new heating unit as I am still under the 1 YEAR FULL WARRANTY. They even shipped it priority to ensure I would receive it immediately. (Thank you so much!)Also, if for whatever reason something ever happens after the warranty expires they are able to still replace piece-by-piece at cost/shipping. So you're not stuck spending unnecessary $$$ if you just lost a sensor or something.TIPS:Don't overload it, if you can just do all clothes in your laundry dryer and use this for other things.Bury the heat sensor/wrap it in the thickest part furthest away from the heating unit. You want the entire chamber to be above 120F for 45 minutes, minimum. Any cooler spots, the bugs will go to as they try to survive the heat.I recommend wire shelves or something like that to ensure proper airflow. Stack things and leave some space between them, and don't block the heater's path or those little vents, they're also for airflow. It WILL heat up the room it's in!Do this in the late afternoon or when ambient room temperature is already above 70 degrees F. Hotter = quicker.For the same reason, try using it in a small room like your bathroom so it will heat up much quicker.If you've got hard flooring, you'll lose heat from the bottom. Put cardboard or a yoga mat underneath and it will be, you guessed it, quicker.The on/off is a small stand that depresses on the bottom of the heater, for safety reasons (aka so it can't tip over and start a fire or whatever) so if that is not fully pushed in, unit won't turn on. Also, if it won't turn on try it on a different circuit or without the timer.If you're troubleshooting, call them! They're so helpful, search Zappbug customer service phone number online.Don't overload your circuit, if this is running don't plug in another energy intense item on same circuit!Don't use with any extension cord/power strip EXCEPT the heavy duty outdoors type ones, meant for energy intense usage... Common sense and safety for any heating units.<br>My husband travels for work quite often, so we have a routine where he cooks his suitcases. The previous bed bug cooker I had quit working after a few years, and I couldn’t find a replacement online. So I ordered this one. First, it does get hot but I’m not sure if it is heating the suitcase hot enough for a long enough period of time to actually kill all the bed bugs. Also the directions specifically say to only use the cooker inside but it will make your room really hot. So basically you are overheating your own room (which seems like a total waste of heat and energy) and probably not killing all the potential bugs because heat is being lost to the room. The previous cooker I had was much better quality and didn’t heat my room in the process (and only cost about $50 more than this one). This one seems cheap and I doubt it is heating my suitcases hot enough to reach all possible bugs.