How should I clean an apartment after bedbugs? - briefly
Remove all bedding, curtains, and clothing; wash them in water at least 120 °F and dry on high heat, then vacuum every surface and discard the vacuum bag. Apply an EPA‑approved insecticide or steam treatment to cracks, furniture, and floors, and seal any openings to prevent re‑infestation.
How should I clean an apartment after bedbugs? - in detail
Cleaning a dwelling that has harbored bed‑bugs requires a systematic approach that eliminates all life stages of the pest and removes any contaminated material.
First, isolate the area. Remove all items that cannot be treated, such as books, electronics, and decorative objects, and place them in sealed, airtight containers. Seal cracks, crevices, and gaps around baseboards, windows, and doors with caulk or expanding foam to prevent re‑infestation.
Next, process all fabrics. Wash bedding, curtains, clothing, and washable upholstery on the hottest cycle the material can tolerate (minimum 120 °F/49 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. For items that cannot be laundered, place them in a freezer at –20 °C (–4 °F) for a minimum of four days to kill all stages of the bug.
Thoroughly vacuum every surface. Use a high‑efficiency vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. Pay special attention to seams, folds, and edges of mattresses, box springs, sofas, and chairs. After each pass, immediately empty the vacuum canister into a sealed plastic bag and discard it in an outdoor trash container.
Apply steam treatment to hard‑to‑clean areas. A steamer that reaches at least 130 °F (54 °C) for several seconds can penetrate fabric and cracks, killing bugs and eggs. Move the nozzle slowly to ensure adequate contact time.
If residual insects remain, apply a registered insecticide labeled for bed‑bug control. Follow the product label precisely: apply to cracks, voids, and the undersides of furniture, avoiding direct contact with food surfaces. Use a residual spray for long‑term protection, and repeat applications according to label recommendations.
Dispose of all contaminated waste properly. Seal infested debris, such as pillowcases, mattress covers, and vacuum bags, in double‑layered polyethylene bags before placing them in an outdoor trash bin. Do not place infested items in recycling streams.
Finally, monitor the environment. Install passive interceptors under each bed leg and around furniture. Check them weekly for new activity. Continue inspections for at least three months, as bed‑bugs can survive without feeding for extended periods.
By executing these steps in order—containment, laundering, vacuuming, steaming, chemical treatment, disposal, and monitoring—the apartment can be restored to a bed‑bug‑free condition.