How to properly treat bedbugs? - briefly
Launder all textiles at ≥120 °F, vacuum seams and crevices, and seal cracks. Apply an EPA‑approved insecticide or professional heat treatment to eradicate any remaining insects.
How to properly treat bedbugs? - in detail
Effective control of bedbug infestations requires a systematic approach that combines detection, preparation, treatment, and ongoing monitoring.
Begin by confirming the presence of insects through visual inspection of seams, mattress edges, headboards, and cracks in furniture. Use a flashlight and a fine‑toothed comb to collect specimens for identification.
Clear the treatment area: launder all bedding, curtains, and clothing in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and floor crevices, then discard the vacuum bag or seal the canister in a plastic bag.
Apply insecticidal products according to label directions. Preferred options include:
- Pyrethroid‑based sprays for surface treatment of cracks and voids.
- Silica‑based dusts for voids, baseboards, and behind wall panels; dust adheres to insects and causes desiccation.
- Heat treatment using portable heaters to raise room temperature to 50–55 °C for a minimum of 90 minutes, ensuring all harborage zones reach target temperature.
When chemicals are used, treat each infested item twice, spaced 7–10 days apart, to target newly hatched nymphs that may have avoided the initial application.
Non‑chemical methods complement chemical actions:
- Steam at 100 °C applied to mattress seams, box springs, and upholstered furniture for at least 20 seconds per spot.
- Mattress encasements that are certified to trap insects, left on for a full year to prevent re‑infestation.
- Freezing infested items at –18 °C for a minimum of four days.
After treatment, install interceptor traps under each leg of the bed and furniture to capture wandering insects and verify eradication. Inspect traps weekly for four weeks; a decline to zero captures indicates successful control.
Prevent recurrence by sealing cracks, reducing clutter, and performing regular inspections after travel or acquisition of second‑hand furniture. Promptly isolate and treat any newly detected insects to avoid re‑establishment.