How can you get rid of bedbugs at home with folk remedies quickly in an apartment? - briefly
Apply high heat by washing all bedding at 60 °C, steaming mattresses, and sprinkling food‑grade diatomaceous earth in crevices, then treat surfaces with a 1 % solution of tea‑tree or lavender oil and vacuum daily, disposing of the vacuum bag immediately. Seal infested objects in sealed plastic bags for several weeks to starve any remaining insects.
How can you get rid of bedbugs at home with folk remedies quickly in an apartment? - in detail
Bedbugs thrive in cracks, seams, and upholstery, so the first step is to eliminate hiding places. Strip bedding, curtains, and removable covers; wash them in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and tumble‑dry for at least 30 minutes. Vacuum every mattress, box spring, sofa, and floor surface, paying special attention to edges and folds. Immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag and place it in an outdoor trash container.
After cleaning, apply proven household remedies:
- Diatomaceous earth (food grade). Lightly dust seams, bed frames, and baseboard cracks. The microscopic silica particles abrade the insects’ exoskeletons, causing dehydration. Leave the powder for 48 hours, then vacuum thoroughly.
- Steam treatment. Use a handheld steamer delivering steam at 100 °C. Direct the jet onto mattress stitching, headboards, and furniture crevices for 10–15 seconds per spot. Heat penetrates to kill all life stages.
- Essential oil spray. Mix 15 ml of tea tree oil, 10 ml of lavender oil, and 5 ml of peppermint oil with 500 ml of water. Add a few drops of dish‑soap as an emulsifier. Spray liberally on infested surfaces, allowing the solution to dry. The oils act as repellents and have mild insecticidal properties.
- Alcohol solution. Apply 70 % isopropyl alcohol to visible bugs and their nests using a spray bottle. Alcohol disrupts the nervous system, leading to rapid mortality. Reapply after 24 hours to target newly hatched nymphs.
- Baking soda and salt mixture. Combine equal parts and sprinkle on carpet edges and under furniture. The abrasive texture damages the insects’ cuticle. Sweep up after 72 hours.
Seal all treated items in plastic bags for at least a week to prevent re‑infestation. Install interceptors under each leg of the bed and furniture; these devices trap bugs attempting to climb, providing early detection of residual activity.
Maintain vigilance by inspecting seams, mattress tags, and luggage racks weekly. Reduce clutter to limit refuges, and keep the apartment’s humidity below 50 % using a dehumidifier, as low moisture levels hinder bedbug development.
If the infestation persists after two treatment cycles, consider professional heat‑treatment or fumigation, as folk methods may not reach deeply concealed colonies. Nonetheless, the outlined DIY approach can achieve rapid reduction of bedbug populations when executed systematically.