How should a house be washed for bedbugs? - briefly
First, vacuum all rooms, wash bedding, curtains, and removable fabrics in water hotter than 130 °F and dry on high heat. Next, steam‑treat mattresses, furniture seams, and cracks at 212 °F for at least 30 seconds.
How should a house be washed for bedbugs? - in detail
A thorough decontamination of a residence infested with bedbugs requires systematic preparation, targeted cleaning, and verification.
Begin by removing all items that can be laundered. Separate clothing, bedding, curtains, and washable fabrics. Place each load in a sealed plastic bag and transport directly to a washing machine. Use the hottest water setting the fabric can tolerate, followed by a high‑heat dryer cycle of at least 30 minutes. For items that cannot withstand heat, seal them in airtight containers and freeze at –20 °C (–4 °F) for a minimum of four days.
Next, isolate the living spaces. Cover vents, doorways, and cracks with tape or plastic sheeting to prevent insects from migrating during treatment. Remove clutter that could hide bugs, and discard infested mattresses or upholstered furniture only after thorough inspection.
Proceed with mechanical removal:
- Vacuum every carpet, rug, and floor surface using a HEPA‑rated vacuum. Focus on seams, tufts, and edges. Immediately seal the vacuum bag or canister in a zip‑lock bag and discard it outdoors.
- Use a handheld steamer on fabric surfaces, mattress seams, baseboards, and furniture crevices. Maintain steam temperature above 120 °C (248 °F) for at least 10 seconds per spot to ensure mortality.
Apply chemical controls where heat or steam are insufficient:
- Select a label‑approved residual insecticide formulated for bedbug control. Apply according to manufacturer instructions, targeting cracks, voids, and voids in walls, furniture, and baseboards.
- For immediate knock‑down, use a short‑acting spray on visible insects, ensuring adequate ventilation.
After chemical application, allow the prescribed drying time before re‑entering the area. Conduct a second vacuuming to remove any dead insects and residual debris.
Finally, verify eradication:
- Install passive monitoring devices (e.g., interceptors) under each leg of furniture for at least two weeks.
- Perform weekly visual inspections of common harborage sites, focusing on seams, folds, and hidden crevices.
If monitoring devices capture additional activity, repeat the steam and chemical steps in the affected zones. Completion is confirmed when no live insects are detected over a continuous 30‑day observation period.