How can you remove bed bugs and fleas from an apartment on your own?

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How can you remove bed bugs and fleas from an apartment on your own? - briefly
Start by vacuuming every surface, laundering all linens and clothing in water ≥ 60 °C, and applying high‑heat steam to mattresses, furniture seams, and cracks. Follow with a residual insecticide spray or dust targeting baseboards, upholstery, and crevices, and repeat the treatment weekly until no insects reappear.

How can you remove bed bugs and fleas from an apartment on your own? - in detail
Eliminating both bed‑bugs and fleas without professional help requires a systematic approach that combines thorough cleaning, targeted treatments, and preventive measures.
First, identify the extent of the infestation. Inspect mattresses, box springs, bed frames, upholstered furniture, cracks in walls, baseboards, and pet bedding. Look for live insects, shed skins, dark spots (feces), and tiny white eggs. Use a flashlight and a fine‑toothed comb to check seams and folds.
Next, prepare the living space:

Remove all clutter that can hide insects.
Wash all bedding, curtains, and removable fabrics in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
Vacuum every carpet, rug, and upholstered surface, paying special attention to seams and crevices. Immediately seal the vacuum bag or empty canister into a plastic bag and discard it outside.
Steam‑clean mattresses, sofas, and carpets at a temperature of 100 °C for a minimum of 10 minutes; the heat kills all life stages.

Apply treatments:

Chemical option

Purchase an EPA‑registered aerosol or liquid spray labeled for both bed‑bugs and fleas.
Follow label instructions precisely: apply to cracks, baseboards, under furniture, and directly onto infested fabrics.
Re‑apply after 7–10 days to target newly hatched insects.

Non‑chemical option

Use diatomaceous earth (food‑grade) lightly dusted on floors, carpet edges, and behind furniture. It desiccates insects on contact.
Place flea traps (a shallow dish of water with a few drops of dish soap) near pet sleeping areas; fleas drown when attracted to the light.

Seal entry points:

Fill gaps around pipes, electrical outlets, and baseboards with silicone caulk.
Install door sweeps on exterior doors to block insect migration.

Monitor progress:

Set sticky traps along baseboards and under furniture to capture moving insects.
Check traps weekly; a decline in captures indicates successful control.
Continue vacuuming and steaming for at least four weeks, as eggs may hatch after initial treatment.

Prevent future outbreaks:

Keep pets on a regular flea‑preventive regimen (topical or oral medication).
Use mattress encasements that are certified insect‑proof.
Wash and dry bedding weekly at high temperatures.
Maintain low indoor humidity (40 % or less) to discourage bed‑bug development.

By following these steps—detection, thorough cleaning, targeted treatment, sealing, monitoring, and ongoing prevention—homeowners can eradicate both pests without professional intervention.