How should you correctly remove bedbugs from an apartment on your own? - briefly
Identify infested zones, treat them with high‑temperature steam or an EPA‑approved insecticide following label instructions, and seal or discard heavily contaminated items. After treatment, vacuum thoroughly, wash all fabrics at 120 °F, and use bed‑bug interceptors to monitor for several weeks.
How should you correctly remove bedbugs from an apartment on your own? - in detail
Begin by confirming the presence of bedbugs. Examine mattress seams, box‑spring corners, headboard, nightstand cracks, and baseboard junctions. Use a bright flashlight and a magnifying lens to spot live insects, dark‑brown fecal spots, or shed skins. Mark each infested location with a small sticker.
Next, isolate the bedroom. Remove all bedding, curtains, and clothing. Place each item in a sealed plastic bag before transport to the laundry area. Wash fabrics in hot water (minimum 60 °C/140 °F) and tumble dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in airtight bags for a minimum of 14 days, depriving bugs of a host.
Vacuum every surface thoroughly. Employ a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter; focus on seams, crevices, and furniture undersides. After each pass, empty the canister into a sealed bag and discard it outside the building. Follow vacuuming with a steam treatment: apply steam at 100 °C/212 °F for 30 seconds per spot. Steam penetrates fabric and wood, killing all life stages on contact.
Apply an insecticide formulated for bedbugs. Choose a product containing pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, or desiccant dust (e.g., silica gel). Follow label directions precisely:
- Spray cracks, crevices, and voids where bugs hide.
- Treat the perimeter of the room, including baseboards and door frames.
- Apply dust to voids that cannot be sprayed, such as wall voids and under furniture legs.
After application, keep the area unoccupied for the period specified on the product label, typically 4–6 hours. Ventilate the room afterward.
Seal all entry points. Install door sweeps, repair torn screens, and caulk gaps around pipes and vents. Place mattress encasements rated for bedbugs over the entire mattress and box spring, sealing them with a zippered closure.
Monitor the situation with passive traps. Position interceptors under each leg of the bed and furniture. Replace traps weekly and record captures. Continue inspection and treatment cycles for at least three weeks, as eggs may hatch after the initial round.
If infestations persist after two full treatment cycles, consider contacting a professional pest‑control service. Persistent populations often require specialized equipment and expertise beyond DIY methods.