How to catch all bedbugs? - briefly
Conduct a thorough inspection, seal cracks, and place interceptor traps beneath all furniture legs. Then apply a licensed heat treatment or approved insecticide to eradicate any remaining bugs.
How to catch all bedbugs? - in detail
Bedbug eradication begins with a thorough inspection. Examine seams, folds, and crevices of mattresses, box springs, headboards, and furniture. Use a bright flashlight and a magnifying glass to locate live insects, shed skins, and dark‑colored fecal spots.
Action plan
- Physical removal – Vacuum every infested surface, paying special attention to seams and edges. Immediately empty the vacuum canister into a sealed plastic bag and discard it in an outdoor trash container.
- Heat treatment – Raise room temperature to at least 50 °C (122 °F) for a minimum of 90 minutes. Portable steamers can target localized infestations; ensure steam penetrates deep into fabrics and cracks.
- Chemical control – Apply a registered residual insecticide to cracks, baseboards, and voids where bugs hide. Follow label instructions for dosage, safety gear, and re‑application intervals.
- Interceptive devices – Place adhesive bedbug traps under each leg of the bed and furniture. Replace traps weekly and record catches to assess population trends.
- Encasement – Encase mattresses and box springs in certified, zippered covers that prevent bugs from entering or exiting. Keep encasements on for at least one year to break the life cycle.
- Professional assistance – Engage licensed pest‑management operators for large or resistant infestations. They can combine heat, fumigation, or desiccant powders with precise monitoring tools.
- Follow‑up monitoring – After treatment, inspect weekly for new activity. Use passive monitors and repeat vacuuming and trapping until no specimens are detected for three consecutive inspections.
Success depends on consistent execution of each step, thorough coverage of all hiding places, and diligent post‑treatment surveillance.