How to find and kill bedbugs? - briefly
Inspect seams, mattress tags, and cracks using a flashlight and a white cloth to locate live insects, shed skins, or dark spots. Treat confirmed infestations with high‑heat washing, steam, and approved insecticide sprays, then seal crevices to prevent re‑entry.
How to find and kill bedbugs? - in detail
Detecting bed bugs requires systematic inspection. Begin by removing all bedding and examining seams, folds, and tags for live insects, shed skins, or rust‑colored fecal spots. Use a bright flashlight or a magnifying lens to scan mattress edges, box‑spring corners, and headboard joints. Pull back baseboard trim and inspect behind picture frames, electrical outlets, and furniture legs. Place white paper towels under furniture legs overnight; any droppings left on the paper confirm presence.
To confirm an infestation, set up interceptors beneath each leg of the bed and other furniture. Check them daily for trapped insects. Sticky traps placed near suspected hiding spots provide additional evidence. If multiple detection methods reveal activity, proceed to eradication.
Eradication steps:
- De‑clutter – discard or seal items that cannot be treated, such as heavily infested fabric or cardboard.
- Heat treatment – wash all linens, curtains, and removable fabrics in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Use a portable steamer on mattresses, furniture, and cracks; steam must reach 100 °C for a minimum of 20 seconds.
- Chemical application – apply a registered residual insecticide to cracks, crevices, and baseboards, following label directions precisely. Use a dust formulation in wall voids and upholstery seams where liquids cannot penetrate.
- Encasements – fit mattress and box‑spring covers rated for bed‑bug protection; leave them on for a full year to trap any survivors.
- Vacuuming – vacuum mattresses, furniture, and floors with a HEPA‑rated filter, discarding the bag or emptying the canister outside the dwelling.
- Repeat monitoring – reinstall interceptors and sticky traps for at least eight weeks, inspecting weekly. Re‑treat any new activity promptly.
Professional heat or fumigation services may be necessary for severe cases; they can raise ambient temperatures to lethal levels (≥ 45 °C) throughout the entire structure. Regardless of method, maintain vigilance after treatment to prevent re‑infestation.