Bedbugs in an apartment: what to do, how to get rid of them, and what do they look like? - briefly
«Small, reddish‑brown, flat, oval insects about 4‑5 mm long, visible after feeding.» They are eradicated by vacuuming seams, steaming infested areas, encasing mattresses, and applying licensed insecticide or hiring certified pest‑control professionals.
Bedbugs in an apartment: what to do, how to get rid of them, and what do they look like? - in detail
Bedbugs are small, oval insects about 4–5 mm long, reddish‑brown, and flat when unfed. After a blood meal they become swollen and darker. Visible signs include tiny dark spots (fecal stains) on bedding, shed exoskeletons, and occasional live insects on seams, mattress tags, or baseboards.
If an infestation is suspected, isolate the affected area. Remove all bedding, curtains, and clothing; wash at ≥ 60 °C and dry on high heat. Vacuum mattresses, box springs, furniture, and cracks, discarding the vacuum bag or cleaning the canister immediately. Seal removed items in plastic bags to prevent spread.
Effective eradication combines heat, steam, and targeted insecticides. Professional heat treatment raises room temperature to ≥ 50 °C for several hours, killing all life stages. Steam applicators penetrate seams and upholstery, delivering lethal temperatures to hidden bugs. Residual insecticide sprays, applied to cracks, baseboards, and furniture frames, provide ongoing control; products must be approved for indoor residential use. Re‑treatments are often required after 7–10 days to address newly hatched individuals.
Prevention relies on regular inspection and barriers. Encase mattresses and box springs in certified zippered covers that prevent entry and escape. Reduce clutter that offers hiding places. Seal gaps around pipes, electrical outlets, and baseboards with caulk. Periodically examine travel luggage, second‑hand furniture, and clothing before introducing them into the dwelling.
A systematic approach—prompt detection, thorough cleaning, heat or steam application, and professional chemical treatment—eliminates the pest and minimizes recurrence. Continuous monitoring and preventive barriers sustain a bedbug‑free environment.