How to get rid of bedbugs in an apartment using home remedies? - briefly
Use high‑temperature steam on mattresses, furniture seams, and cracks, then sprinkle diatomaceous earth and launder all bedding at 60 °C; seal crevices, declutter the space, and install mattress encasements to prevent re‑infestation. Repeat the process weekly until no insects are observed.
How to get rid of bedbugs in an apartment using home remedies? - in detail
Bedbugs hide in seams, cracks, and fabric folds; locating them is the first step. Examine mattress edges, box‑spring stitching, headboard joints, baseboard gaps, and furniture crevices. Look for live insects, shed skins, or dark spots of excrement.
Prepare the area by removing clutter that can shelter insects. Wash all removable textiles—bedding, curtains, clothing—at 60 °C (140 °F) or higher; dry on the hottest setting for at least 30 minutes. Vacuum floors, upholstery, and mattress surfaces thoroughly, using a brush attachment to dislodge eggs. Immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed plastic bag.
Apply heat: portable steam cleaners reaching 100 °C (212 °F) penetrate fabric and wood, killing bugs on contact. Steam seams, folds, and hidden joints for several minutes each. For items that cannot be heated, freeze them at –18 °C (0 °F) for a minimum of four days; the cold kills all life stages.
Use desiccant powders such as food‑grade diatomaceous earth. Lightly dust seams, baseboard cracks, and behind furniture. The powder abrades the insects’ exoskeletons, causing dehydration. Reapply after vacuuming or cleaning.
Natural oils with repellent properties can supplement other methods. Mix 10 ml of tea‑tree oil, 10 ml of lavender oil, and 5 ml of peppermint oil in 500 ml of water; spray lightly onto surfaces, avoiding over‑saturation. Repeat every 48 hours for two weeks.
Encasement: fit mattress and box‑spring covers rated for bedbug protection. Seal tightly; keep the encasements on for at least one year to ensure any surviving bugs die inside.
Seal entry points: caulk gaps around baseboards, electrical outlets, and pipe penetrations. Install door sweeps on exterior doors to block migration.
Monitor progress with interceptors placed under each leg of the bed. Check traps weekly; a decline in captured insects indicates effectiveness.
If infestation persists after two treatment cycles, repeat the entire protocol, focusing on missed cracks and hidden furniture. Consistent application of heat, desiccant, thorough cleaning, and barrier methods eliminates the population without chemical pesticides.