How can I get rid of bedbugs in the house and what products should I use? - briefly
Apply heat (above 50 °C) to infested areas and use a registered insecticide—e.g., a pyrethroid‑based spray or diatomaceous earth—while vacuuming, laundering fabrics at high temperature, and sealing cracks. Repeat the process after 7–10 days to eliminate any surviving bugs.
How can I get rid of bedbugs in the house and what products should I use? - in detail
Eliminating bedbugs from a home requires a systematic approach that combines thorough inspection, targeted treatment, and ongoing monitoring.
Begin by locating all infested areas. Examine seams of mattresses, box springs, headboards, bed frames, baseboards, electrical outlets, and cracks in furniture. Use a flashlight and a fine-toothed comb to collect live insects, shed skins, and fecal spots. Mark each site with a colored sticker to track progress.
Prepare the environment before applying any product. Reduce clutter to expose hiding places, wash all bedding, curtains, and removable fabrics in hot water (minimum 60 °C) and dry on the highest setting for at least 30 minutes. Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and floor seams, then immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed container.
Apply chemical controls according to label instructions. Recommended categories include:
- Synthetic pyrethroid spray (e.g., deltamethrin, bifenthrin) for surface treatment of cracks, crevices, and furniture frames.
- Neonicotinoid‑based aerosol (e.g., imidacloprid) for direct contact on adult insects.
- Insect growth regulator (e.g., hydroprene) to disrupt molting cycles and prevent new emergence.
For areas where chemicals are undesirable, use non‑chemical methods:
- Diatomaceous earth or silica gel powder applied thinly to baseboards, under furniture, and in wall voids. These desiccants abrade the insect exoskeleton, causing dehydration.
- Heat treatment with portable heaters raising room temperature to 50 °C for a minimum of 90 minutes, ensuring all hiding spots reach lethal levels.
- Cold treatment by placing infested items in a freezer at –18 °C for at least 72 hours.
After treatment, encase mattresses and box springs in zippered, bug‑proof covers rated for at least two years. Install interceptors beneath each bed leg to trap wandering insects and provide early detection.
Schedule regular follow‑up inspections every 7–10 days for the first month, then monthly for the next two months. Repeat vacuuming and spot‑treat any newly discovered activity. Persistent infestations may require professional heat‑fusing or fumigation services, especially in multi‑unit dwellings.
Consistent execution of these steps, combined with appropriate product selection, eliminates bedbugs and prevents re‑infestation.