How to fight bedbugs at home in an apartment? - briefly
Thoroughly vacuum all surfaces, steam‑treat mattresses and furniture, and apply a labeled bed‑bug insecticide to cracks, crevices, and baseboards. Afterwards, wash bedding and clothing at ≥ 60 °C, seal entry points, and monitor with sticky traps for several weeks.
How to fight bedbugs at home in an apartment? - in detail
Bedbugs reveal themselves through small reddish‑brown spots on sheets, itchy welts on the skin, and live insects or shed skins in seams, mattress edges, and cracks near the bed. Early detection prevents spread to other rooms and neighboring units.
Isolate the infested area immediately. Remove all bedding, curtains, and clothing from the room and place each item in sealed plastic bags. Vacuum floors, baseboards, and upholstered furniture thoroughly; discard the vacuum bag or clean the canister after use. Seal cracks, crevices, and gaps around baseboards, electrical outlets, and wall hangings with caulk or expandable foam to limit movement.
Launder all removable fabrics on the hottest cycle the material can tolerate, followed by a high‑heat dryer for at least 30 minutes. For items that cannot be washed, place them in a freezer at –18 °C (0 °F) for a minimum of 72 hours. Steam‑clean mattresses, box springs, and upholstered pieces, ensuring the steam reaches a temperature of 100 °C (212 °F) to kill all life stages.
Apply targeted treatments:
- Heat treatment – rent or purchase a portable heater capable of raising room temperature to 50 °C (122 °F) for several hours; monitor with a thermometer.
- Insecticidal dust – use silica‑based or diatomaceous earth dust in voids, under furniture, and along baseboards; avoid excessive airborne particles.
- Residual spray – select a product labeled for bedbug control, apply to cracks, bed frames, and furniture legs according to label directions; limit exposure to occupants and pets.
- Encasements – install zippered mattress and box‑spring covers rated for bedbugs; keep them sealed for at least a year.
After treatment, set up interceptors under each leg of the bed and furniture. Check interceptors weekly, recording any captured insects. Maintain a clutter‑free environment, regularly vacuum, and repeat heat or steam treatments every two weeks for a month to eradicate any survivors. Notify building management to coordinate inspections and preventive measures for adjacent units, reducing the risk of re‑infestation.