How can you get rid of bedbugs in an apartment using your own methods? - briefly
Eliminate infestations by vacuuming every surface, washing bedding and clothing at ≥ 60 °C, exposing items to heat (≥ 45 °C) or freezing (≤ ‑20 °C), applying diatomaceous earth or a diluted essential‑oil spray to cracks, and sealing all entry points. Repeat the entire procedure weekly for one month to eradicate all life stages.
How can you get rid of bedbugs in an apartment using your own methods? - in detail
Eliminating bedbugs from a dwelling without professional services requires a systematic approach that combines thorough cleaning, targeted treatments, and preventive measures.
Begin with a full inspection. Identify all infested areas by checking seams of mattresses, box‑spring frames, headboards, nightstands, baseboards, electrical outlets, and cracks in walls or flooring. Use a flashlight and a magnifying lens to spot live insects, shed skins, or dark spots (fecal stains).
Next, isolate the sleeping area. Strip the bed of all linens, pillow‑cases, blankets, and mattress protectors. Place each item in a sealed plastic bag and launder on the hottest cycle the fabric can tolerate (≥ 60 °C / 140 °F) for at least 30 minutes. After washing, dry on high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes to kill any remaining bugs and eggs.
Treat the mattress and box spring:
- Vacuum the entire surface and seams with a brush‑attachment vacuum. Empty the canister into a sealed bag immediately.
- Apply a diatomaceous earth (food‑grade) or silica‑gel powder along seams, folds, and crevices. Lightly brush the powder into the material; it acts as a desiccant, damaging the insects’ exoskeletons.
- Cover the mattress and box spring with an encasement designed to be bug‑proof. Ensure the zipper is sealed and the fabric is thick enough to prevent penetration.
Address surrounding furniture and floor coverings:
- Remove all clutter that could hide insects (books, shoes, clothing). Store items in sealed containers.
- Steam‑clean upholstered furniture, curtains, and carpets. Steam must reach at least 100 °C (212 °F) for several seconds to be lethal.
- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth or a boric‑acid powder in cracks, baseboards, and behind furniture. Allow it to sit for 48 hours before vacuuming.
Seal entry points. Use caulk to close gaps around windows, doors, and utility penetrations. Install door sweeps to block insects from entering under doors.
Maintain a strict monitoring routine. Place sticky traps or interceptors under each leg of the bed and furniture. Replace them weekly and record captures to gauge progress.
Repeat the entire cycle—inspection, laundering, treatment, and sealing—every 7–10 days for at least three weeks. Bedbug eggs hatch in about 7–10 days; repeated interventions ensure newly emerged insects are eliminated before they reproduce.
Finally, adopt preventive habits: avoid bringing second‑hand furniture without thorough inspection, wash and dry all newly acquired bedding on high heat, and keep the apartment clean and decluttered to reduce hiding places.
Following these steps systematically can eradicate a bedbug infestation using only readily available, non‑chemical methods.