How can you destroy bedbugs in an apartment yourself? - briefly
Use high‑temperature steam, wash all bedding and clothing at 60 °C, apply a registered bed‑bug insecticide to cracks, crevices, and furniture, and vacuum thoroughly. Repeat the treatment weekly for four weeks to eradicate all life stages.
How can you destroy bedbugs in an apartment yourself? - in detail
Eliminating a bed‑bug infestation without hiring a pest‑control firm requires a systematic approach that combines thorough inspection, sanitation, physical removal, and targeted treatment.
Begin with a full‑room survey. Examine seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, nightstands, baseboards, electrical outlets, and behind picture frames. Use a bright flashlight and a magnifying lens to locate live insects, whitish eggs, or dark‑brown fecal spots. Mark each infested spot with a colored sticker to track progress.
Sanitize all fabrics. Strip bedding, curtains, and removable upholstery. Wash items at the highest temperature the material tolerates (≥ 60 °C/140 °F) for at least 30 minutes, then dry on high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes. For non‑washable items, place them in a sealed plastic bag and store in a freezer set to –18 °C/0 °F for at least four days.
Reduce harborage. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and floor cracks with a HEPA‑rated vacuum. Immediately discard the vacuum bag or seal the canister in a zip‑lock bag and place it in an outdoor trash container. Use a stiff‑bristled brush to dislodge insects from cracks and crevices, then vacuum the debris.
Apply heat or cold directly to infested surfaces. A commercial steamer delivering steam at 100 °C (212 °F) for 10 seconds per spot kills all life stages. Move the steam nozzle slowly across seams, folds, and edges. For items that can withstand it, use a portable heater to raise room temperature to 50 °C (122 °F) and maintain for several hours, monitoring with a thermometer.
Deploy chemical controls only after non‑chemical measures. Choose a registered bed‑bug insecticide labeled for indoor use, such as a pyrethroid‑based spray or a desiccant dust (silica gel or diatomaceous earth). Apply according to label directions: spray crevices, under furniture legs, and along baseboards; dust porous areas where insects hide. Wear gloves and a mask to avoid inhalation or skin contact.
Encasement is essential for long‑term prevention. Install zippered mattress and box‑spring covers rated to block bed‑bugs. Ensure seams are sealed. Keep encasements on for at least one year to capture any survivors.
Monitor continuously. Place interceptors under each bed leg; these devices consist of a rough‑sided outer cup and a smooth inner cup that traps climbing insects. Check traps weekly and replace as needed. Repeat the inspection‑clean‑treat cycle every seven days for at least three weeks, as eggs may hatch after the initial treatment.
If infestation persists after two full cycles, consider professional heat treatment or fumigation, as these methods achieve temperatures and exposure times beyond typical DIY capabilities.