How to get rid of bedbugs and ticks in an apartment? - briefly
Eliminate infestations by vacuuming all seams, steam‑cleaning upholstery, applying EPA‑registered insecticides, sealing cracks, and laundering fabrics at ≥60 °C. Remove ticks with fine tweezers, treat the environment with an acaricide spray, and keep humidity low while conducting regular inspections.
How to get rid of bedbugs and ticks in an apartment? - in detail
Eliminating bedbugs and ticks from a residential unit requires a systematic approach that combines inspection, sanitation, chemical treatment, and preventive measures.
Begin with a thorough inspection. Examine seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, upholstered furniture, and carpet edges. Use a flashlight and a magnifying lens to locate live insects, shed skins, or small dark spots (fecal stains). Mark each infested area with a removable label to track progress.
Sanitize the environment. Remove all bedding, curtains, and removable upholstery and launder them at 60 °C (140 °F) for at least 30 minutes. Place items that cannot be washed in sealed plastic bags for a minimum of two weeks to starve any hidden pests. Vacuum carpets, floor joints, and cracks with a HEPA‑filter vacuum; immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag.
Apply chemical control. Choose an EPA‑registered insecticide labeled for both bedbugs and ticks. Follow label directions precisely: spray cracks, crevices, and the undersides of furniture, then allow the product to dry completely before re‑occupying the space. For severe infestations, consider a professional pest‑management service that can employ heat treatment (raising room temperature to 50 °C/122 °F for several hours) or fumigation, both of which eradicate all life stages.
Implement physical barriers. Encase mattresses and box springs in zippered, insect‑proof covers and keep them sealed for at least one year. Install protective liners on furniture legs and use bed‑leg risers to create a gap that hinders crawling insects.
Maintain ongoing prevention. Reduce clutter to eliminate hiding places. Seal cracks in walls, baseboards, and around pipes with caulk. Regularly inspect new second‑hand furniture before bringing it indoors. Use interceptors under bed legs to monitor any remaining activity.
If follow‑up inspections reveal persistent signs, repeat vacuuming, laundering, and targeted spraying. Document each treatment date and product used to ensure compliance with safety regulations and to guide future actions.