Bedbugs: how to get rid of them at home? - briefly
Clean all linens in hot water, vacuum seams, cracks, and furniture, then treat affected areas with an EPA‑registered insecticide or steam heat at 120 °F for at least 30 minutes. Seal entry points, use mattress encasements, and monitor with interceptors to ensure complete eradication.
Bedbugs: how to get rid of them at home? - in detail
Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that hide in seams, cracks, and fabric folds, emerging at night to feed on blood. Effective eradication begins with thorough inspection, followed by a combination of physical, thermal, and chemical measures.
First, locate infestations by examining mattress edges, box springs, headboards, and surrounding furniture. Look for live insects, shed skins, and rust‑colored fecal spots. Use a bright flashlight and a flat‑surface tool to probe seams and crevices. Mark confirmed sites with removable tape to track treatment progress.
Next, reduce the population through mechanical actions:
- Vacuum every surface, paying special attention to stitching, tufts, and folds; immediately seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and discard it outdoors.
- Wash all removable textiles (sheets, pillowcases, curtains) in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Encase mattresses and box springs in zippered, bed‑bug‑proof covers; leave them on for a minimum of one year.
Thermal treatment is highly effective. Raise room temperature to 50 °C (122 °F) for several hours using portable heaters, ensuring heat penetrates hidden areas. Alternatively, apply a steam cleaner (≥ 100 °C) to cracks, baseboards, and upholstery, moving slowly to maintain lethal temperatures for at least 20 seconds per spot.
Chemical options should be employed after physical measures. Select EPA‑registered insecticides labeled for indoor use against bed bugs. Apply:
- Contact sprays to exposed insects and immediate hiding places.
- Residual dusts (e.g., silica gel, diatomaceous earth) in voids and wall cavities; avoid dispersing dust on fabric surfaces.
- Aerosol foggers only in sealed rooms, following manufacturer safety instructions.
Combine treatments in a systematic schedule: repeat vacuuming and steaming weekly for three weeks, re‑inspect after each cycle, and reapply residual dusts as needed. Monitor with passive traps (interceptor cups) placed under each leg of the bed to capture wandering insects and verify control.
Finally, prevent re‑infestation by:
- Reducing clutter that offers hiding spaces.
- Sealing cracks in walls, baseboards, and flooring with caulk.
- Inspecting second‑hand furniture before introduction.
- Maintaining regular laundering of bedding at high temperatures.
Consistent application of these steps, documented and adjusted based on inspection findings, leads to complete elimination of bed‑bug populations within a residential setting.