How to get rid of bedbugs from an apartment using folk methods? - briefly
Apply diatomaceous earth to seams and crevices, vacuum thoroughly, wash all bedding in hot water, and treat surfaces with a tea‑tree or lavender essential‑oil spray; cover the mattress with a heat‑treated encasement. Repeat the process weekly until no bugs are detected.
How to get rid of bedbugs from an apartment using folk methods? - in detail
Bedbugs thrive in cracks, seams, and fabric folds. Effective traditional control begins with thorough preparation.
1. Remove all bedding, curtains, and clothing. Wash at 60 °C (140 °F) for at least 30 minutes; dry on high heat for 30 minutes. Items that cannot be laundered should be sealed in airtight bags for two weeks to starve insects.
2. Vacuum every surface—mattresses, box springs, furniture, baseboards, and carpet edges—using a nozzle attachment. Empty the vacuum bag into a sealed container and discard outdoors.
3. Apply diatomaceous earth (food‑grade) liberally along bed frames, under furniture, and in wall voids. The powder scrapes the insects’ exoskeletons, causing dehydration. Leave for 48 hours, then vacuum.
4. Use steam: a portable steamer reaching 120 °C (248 °F) penetrates seams and kills all life stages on contact. Treat mattress stitching, headboards, and upholstered chairs slowly, moving the nozzle continuously to avoid surface damage.
5. Deploy essential‑oil sprays with proven repellent properties. Mix 20 ml of tea‑tree or lavender oil with 1 L of water, add a few drops of dish‑soap, and spray directly onto cracks and crevices. Reapply every 48 hours for two weeks.
6. Scatter powdered neem or neem‑oil‑infused cotton balls in hidden corners. Neem disrupts the insects’ feeding and reproduction. Replace balls weekly.
7. Create a trapping solution: fill shallow dishes with a mixture of water, a few drops of dish‑soap, and a teaspoon of sugar. Place traps near suspected hideouts. Bedbugs are attracted, drown, and can be counted to monitor progress.
8. Seal entry points. Use caulk to close gaps around baseboards, pipes, and window frames. Install mattress encasements labeled “bug‑proof” to contain any remaining insects.
9. Maintain low humidity (below 50 %) and cool temperatures (below 20 °C/68 °F) where feasible; bedbugs reproduce slowly under these conditions.
10. Repeat the entire cycle—vacuum, steam, diatomaceous earth, and oil spray—every 7–10 days for at least three months, as eggs may hatch after the initial treatment.
Consistent application of these folk techniques, combined with strict sanitation, eradicates infestations without chemical pesticides.