How to drive bedbugs out of an apartment? - briefly
Thoroughly clean, vacuum seams, and apply approved insecticide sprays to cracks, furniture, and bedding. Follow with encasements, heat treatment, and professional inspection to confirm eradication.
How to drive bedbugs out of an apartment? - in detail
Eliminating bedbug infestations requires a systematic approach that combines thorough inspection, targeted treatment, and preventive measures.
Begin with a comprehensive survey of all sleeping areas, furniture, and cracks in walls or baseboards. Use a flashlight to detect live insects, shed skins, and dark spots of feces. Mark each infested location for subsequent action.
Next, remove or isolate items that can harbor pests. Wash all bedding, curtains, and removable fabrics in hot water (minimum 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Seal non‑washable items in airtight plastic bags for a minimum of 2 weeks to starve any hidden insects.
Apply chemical or non‑chemical treatments according to the severity of the problem.
- Insecticidal sprays – select products registered for bedbug control, apply to seams, crevices, and undersides of furniture, following label directions precisely.
- Heat treatment – raise room temperature to 50 °C–55 °C for several hours; professional equipment ensures uniform heat distribution and penetration into hidden spaces.
- Cold treatment – expose infested objects to temperatures below −18 °C for at least 4 days; suitable for items that cannot withstand heat.
After treatment, conduct a follow‑up inspection within 7 days to confirm mortality and identify any remaining hotspots. Repeat the treatment cycle if survivors are found.
Implement long‑term prevention strategies.
- Seal gaps around baseboards, electrical outlets, and plumbing fixtures with caulk or expanding foam.
- Install mattress and box‑spring encasements that are certified to block bedbugs.
- Reduce clutter that provides hiding places; keep storage containers closed.
- Conduct regular visual checks, especially after travel or the arrival of second‑hand furniture.
Maintain a documented schedule of inspections, treatments, and environmental controls. Consistent application of these steps removes the infestation and minimizes the risk of recurrence.