How can you get rid of house bedbugs and ticks at home? - briefly
Thoroughly vacuum and steam‑clean all areas, launder bedding at >120 °F, and apply EPA‑registered insecticide for bedbugs and acaricide for ticks while sealing cracks and crevices. If infestation continues, contact a licensed pest‑control professional.
How can you get rid of house bedbugs and ticks at home? - in detail
Eliminate indoor bedbugs and ticks by following a systematic approach that combines thorough inspection, targeted treatment, and preventive measures.
Begin with a complete survey of all sleeping areas, furniture, and pet zones. Examine seams, folds, and crevices of mattresses, box springs, headboards, and upholstered pieces. Use a bright flashlight and a magnifying lens to spot live insects, shed skins, or tiny dark spots (fecal matter). Pay special attention to baseboards, cracks in walls, and under carpets.
Once infestation sites are identified, remove all bedding and wash fabrics in water exceeding 60 °C (140 °F) for at least 30 minutes. Dry on the highest heat setting for a minimum of 30 minutes. For items that cannot be laundered, place them in a sealed plastic bag and expose to a professional-grade dryer or a portable heat chamber that reaches 55–60 °C for several hours.
Vacuum every affected surface, including mattress edges, furniture frames, and floor cracks. Use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter, then immediately discard the bag or empty the canister into a sealed container outside the home. This step reduces adult insects and eggs.
Apply heat treatment to larger items that cannot be laundered. Portable steam generators delivering steam at 100 °C (212 °F) penetrate deep into fabric and wood, killing all life stages on contact. Move the nozzle slowly to ensure thorough coverage of seams and folds.
Chemical control should target both adult insects and eggs. Use products specifically labeled for bedbug and tick control, such as pyrethroid sprays, desiccant dusts (silica gel or diatomaceous earth), and insect growth regulators (IGRs). Follow label instructions precisely: apply to cracks, voids, and the undersides of furniture, avoiding direct contact with skin or pets. For ticks, treat pet bedding and areas where animals rest, using acaricide formulations approved for indoor use.
Seal all cracks, gaps, and entry points in walls, floors, and baseboards with caulk or expandable foam. Install protective mattress encasements that are certified to be impermeable to insects. Reduce clutter to eliminate hiding places and improve airflow, which discourages infestations.
If the problem persists after these measures, engage a licensed pest‑management professional. They can conduct fumigation, heat‑chamber treatment, or apply advanced insecticides unavailable to consumers, ensuring complete eradication.
Maintain vigilance by conducting monthly inspections, laundering bedding weekly, and keeping humidity below 50 % to create an environment unfavorable to both pests. Consistent application of these practices prevents re‑infestation and secures a pest‑free home.