How to find and get rid of bedbugs? - briefly
Inspect bedding, seams, and furniture for tiny reddish‑brown insects, rust‑colored spots, or shed skins, then eradicate them by laundering infested fabrics at high temperatures, applying heat or steam to affected areas, and using approved insecticide sprays or dusts to treat cracks and crevices.
How to find and get rid of bedbugs? - in detail
Detecting an infestation begins with visual inspection of sleeping areas. Look for small, rust‑colored spots on sheets, mattress seams, and walls; these are fecal stains left by the insects. Also check for live insects, which are about 5 mm long, flat, and reddish‑brown. Examine headboards, footboards, picture frames, and electrical outlets, as bugs hide in tiny cracks.
Useful tools include a bright LED flashlight, a magnifying glass (10×), and adhesive interceptor cups placed under bed legs. Interceptors capture bugs that travel to and from the mattress, providing evidence without disturbing the population. For ambiguous cases, set up sticky traps near suspected hideouts; a count of captured insects confirms presence.
Once an infestation is confirmed, choose an eradication method suited to the severity and environment.
Chemical control
- Select an EPA‑registered bed‑bug insecticide labeled for indoor use.
- Apply directly to seams, tufts, box‑spring folds, and crevices where bugs shelter.
- Treat the entire mattress surface, the box spring, headboard, and surrounding baseboards.
- Repeat application after 7–10 days to target newly hatched nymphs.
- Follow safety guidelines: ventilate the area, wear protective gloves, and keep occupants out for the recommended period.
Heat treatment
- Raise ambient temperature to at least 45 °C (113 °F) for a minimum of 90 minutes.
- Use professional heating equipment to ensure uniform temperature throughout furniture, walls, and flooring.
- Verify temperature with calibrated probes placed in hidden zones.
- After cooling, vacuum and seal all exposed surfaces.
Steam and desiccant methods
- Apply a high‑temperature steamer (≥100 °C) to mattress surfaces, upholstery, and luggage. Steam penetrates fabric fibers, killing bugs and eggs on contact.
- Distribute food‑grade diatomaceous earth in cracks, along baseboards, and under furniture. The powder abrades the exoskeleton, causing dehydration. Reapply after cleaning.
Preventive actions
- Encase mattresses and box springs in zippered, certified encasements; keep them sealed for at least one year.
- Launder bedding, curtains, and clothing on hot cycles (≥60 °C) and dry on high heat.
- Vacuum floors, mattresses, and furniture daily; discard vacuum bags promptly.
- Reduce clutter that provides additional hiding places.
- Inspect second‑hand furniture before introducing it into the home; treat or isolate suspect items.
A coordinated approach—early detection, targeted treatment, and rigorous follow‑up—eliminates the pest and prevents recurrence. Continuous monitoring with interceptor cups for several weeks after treatment confirms success.