How to treat a room for bedbugs at home? - briefly
Begin by removing all bedding, clothing, and clutter, then wash fabrics in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat. Apply a certified insecticide spray to seams, cracks, and baseboards, seal the room, and monitor with sticky traps for several weeks.
How to treat a room for bedbugs at home? - in detail
A thorough inspection is the initial phase. Use a bright flashlight and a magnifying glass to examine seams of mattresses, box springs, headboards, bed frames, furniture joints, baseboards, and wall cracks. Mark confirmed locations with a small piece of tape to guide subsequent actions.
Remove all bedding, curtains, and removable fabrics. Launder items in water hotter than 60 °C (140 °F) for at least 30 minutes; for items that cannot be washed, place them in a sealed plastic bag and store in a freezer at –18 °C (0 °F) for a minimum of four days.
Mechanical elimination reduces the population before chemical application. Vacuum the entire room, paying special attention to crevices, seams, and upholstered surfaces. Immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag and remove it from the premises.
Apply an EPA‑registered insecticide formulated for bed‑bugs. Choose a product labeled for cracks, crevices, and upholstered furniture. Follow label directions precisely: spray a thin, even coating into all marked areas, allowing the liquid to penetrate hiding spots. For porous materials, use a dust formulation such as silica‑based powder, applying a light layer with a brush.
Heat treatment offers a non‑chemical alternative. Raise room temperature to at least 45 °C (113 °F) for a sustained period of four hours, ensuring that all infested items reach the target temperature. Professional portable heaters can maintain the required heat; verify temperature with calibrated thermometers placed in multiple locations.
After treatment, install interceptors beneath each leg of the bed and furniture. Interceptors consist of a smooth outer surface and a rough inner surface that trap crawling insects. Check interceptors daily for captured specimens and replace them weekly.
Maintain a monitoring schedule for at least three months. Use passive sticky traps placed near previous infestation sites and inspect them weekly. If new activity appears, repeat targeted insecticide applications or consider supplemental heat treatment.
Prevent re‑infestation by encasing mattresses and box springs in zippered covers rated for bed‑bugs. Reduce clutter that provides additional hiding places. Seal cracks in walls, baseboards, and around electrical outlets with caulk. Regularly wash bedding and vacuum the room to eliminate any stray individuals before they establish a new colony.