Bedbugs have appeared in an apartment: what should be done at home? - briefly
Inspect bedding, furniture, and seams; seal infested items in plastic bags, wash fabrics at ≥60 °C, and vacuum thoroughly. Apply a registered insecticide or hire a licensed exterminator, then use monitoring traps for several weeks.
Bedbugs have appeared in an apartment: what should be done at home? - in detail
A bed‑bug infestation in a residence requires immediate, systematic action.
First, confirm the presence. Look for live insects, rusty‑colored spots on fabrics, and tiny white skins. Inspect seams of mattresses, box springs, headboards, picture frames, baseboards, and electrical outlets. Use a flashlight and a fine‑toothed comb to collect specimens for identification.
Second, isolate the problem area. Remove all bedding, curtains, and clothing from the affected room. Seal each item in a heavy‑duty plastic bag and place it in a freezer at –18 °C for at least four days, or launder at 60 °C for 30 minutes. Vacuum the mattress, bed frame, and surrounding floor thoroughly; discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed container outside the home.
Third, treat the environment. Apply a registered insecticide formulated for bed‑bug control to cracks, crevices, and the undersides of furniture. Follow label instructions precisely, paying attention to dwell time and ventilation requirements. For non‑chemical options, use a steam cleaner set to 150 °F (65 °C) on all surfaces where insects hide; steam penetrates fabric and eliminates eggs.
Fourth, monitor progress. Install interceptors under each leg of the bed and furniture. Check them weekly for captured bugs. Replace interceptors every month until no insects are observed for two consecutive weeks.
Fifth, consider professional extermination if the population persists after several treatment cycles. Licensed pest‑control operators have access to heat‑treatment equipment that raises room temperature to 130 °F (54 °C) for several hours, a method proven to eradicate all life stages.
Finally, prevent re‑infestation. Encase mattresses and box springs in zippered covers rated for bed‑bugs. Reduce clutter that provides hiding places. Inspect second‑hand furniture before bringing it indoors, and wash or quarantine any items acquired from external sources.
By following these steps—verification, containment, targeted treatment, ongoing monitoring, professional assistance when needed, and preventive measures—residents can eliminate an infestation and protect the dwelling from future occurrences.