How can you get rid of domestic bedbugs in an apartment by yourself, using folk remedies, quickly? - briefly
Use high‑heat methods—wash all linens at 60 °C, steam‑clean carpets and upholstery, and place infested items in a sealed bag in a dryer for 30 minutes—combined with natural powders such as diatomaceous earth or food‑grade silica, which desiccate insects when sprinkled in cracks and seams. Finish by vacuuming thoroughly, discarding the bag, and sealing any remaining treated areas with a thin layer of essential‑oil solution (e.g., tea‑tree or lavender) to repel survivors.
How can you get rid of domestic bedbugs in an apartment by yourself, using folk remedies, quickly? - in detail
Bedbugs hide in seams, cracks, and upholstery; spotting live insects, shed skins, or dark spots on bedding confirms their presence. Immediate action requires thorough inspection, removal of infested items, and application of proven household treatments.
- Strip all linens, curtains, and removable fabrics. Wash at 60 °C (140 °F) for at least 30 minutes; dry on the highest heat setting for 20 minutes. Heat kills all life stages.
- Vacuum mattresses, box springs, carpet edges, and furniture crevices. Use a brush attachment, discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed plastic bag, and seal it.
- Apply diatomaceous earth (food‑grade) generously to seams, baseboards, and behind furniture. The powder abrades the insects’ exoskeletons, causing dehydration. Leave undisturbed for 48 hours, then vacuum.
- Use steam cleaning on mattresses, sofa cushions, and upholstered chairs. Steam must reach 100 °C (212 °F) for at least 10 seconds on each surface; the heat penetrates hiding places and eliminates eggs.
- Prepare a solution of 1 part rubbing alcohol to 3 parts water. Spray directly onto visible bugs and suspected harborages. Alcohol evaporates quickly, destroying the insects on contact.
- Spread a thin layer of baking soda on carpet fibers and floorboards. After 24 hours, vacuum thoroughly; the fine particles desiccate the pests.
- Seal infested items in airtight plastic bags for two weeks; the lack of food and oxygen kills any remaining bugs.
Repeat vacuuming and steam treatment every three days for two weeks, then weekly for an additional month to capture late‑hatching individuals. Keep clutter to a minimum, repair wall cracks, and install protective mattress encasements to prevent reinfestation. Consistent execution of these steps removes bedbugs rapidly without professional chemicals.