How can you tell that bedbugs have disappeared from an apartment? - briefly
The lack of live bugs, eggs, fecal spots, or shed skins in all inspected rooms, together with no new bite reports for several weeks, signals elimination. Confirmation comes from professional monitoring devices that record no activity over a month.
How can you tell that bedbugs have disappeared from an apartment? - in detail
To confirm that a residence is free of Cimex lectularius, follow a systematic inspection and monitoring protocol.
First, conduct a visual examination of all potential harborages. Inspect seams, folds, and stitching of mattresses, box springs, and pillowcases. Examine bed frames, headboards, and footboards, focusing on joints and cracks. Check upholstered furniture, especially hidden cushions and under the fabric. Examine baseboards, wall voids, electrical outlet covers, and any cracks in walls or flooring. Look for live insects, shed exoskeletons (exuviae), darkened spots (fecal stains), or small yellowish eggs. Absence of these signs across all inspected locations strongly indicates eradication.
Second, employ passive detection devices. Place interceptor cups beneath each leg of the bed and furniture. Use these traps for a minimum of two weeks; a lack of captured specimens confirms no activity. Complement traps with active monitoring tools such as pheromone‑baited sticky cards positioned near suspected hiding places. Record observations daily; an uninterrupted period without catches validates the absence of the pest.
Third, verify sanitation and environmental conditions. Ensure that all bedding and linens have been laundered at temperatures ≥ 60 °C (140 °F) for at least 30 minutes. Confirm that any infested items have been heat‑treated, frozen (≤ −18 °C / 0 °F for 4 days), or professionally exterminated. Maintain low humidity and regular vacuuming of carpets, cracks, and crevices to remove residual eggs or nymphs.
Finally, schedule a post‑treatment follow‑up. After the initial inspection and monitoring phase, repeat the comprehensive visual check and reinstall interceptors for an additional 30‑day period. Consistent negative findings during this extended interval provide conclusive evidence that the infestation has been eliminated.