How to treat an apartment against bedbugs yourself? - briefly
Apply high‑heat washing to all linens, steam‑treat or dry‑clean infested furniture, and vacuum seams and cracks daily. Follow with a low‑toxicity indoor insecticide spray and seal entry points to prevent re‑infestation.
How to treat an apartment against bedbugs yourself? - in detail
Bedbugs infestations require systematic elimination to prevent resurgence. The following procedure outlines a comprehensive, self‑administered approach.
Identify the problem by inspecting seams of mattresses, box springs, headboards, and upholstered furniture. Look for live insects, reddish‑brown spots, and tiny white eggs. Mark each confirmed site with a removable label to track treatment progress.
Prepare the environment before applying any control measures. Remove all bedding, curtains, and removable fabric coverings. Wash textiles in hot water (minimum 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Vacuum floors, carpets, and crevices thoroughly, then seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and discard it outside the dwelling.
Implement non‑chemical tactics first. Encase mattresses and box springs in certified bedbug‑proof covers, leaving them on for at least one year. Apply steam at temperatures of 100 °C or higher to infested surfaces, maintaining contact for at least 20 seconds per spot. Use a portable heater to raise room temperature to 45–50 °C for several hours, ensuring all hiding places reach the target temperature.
If chemical intervention is necessary, select products approved for indoor residential use. Apply a residual insecticide spray to cracks, baseboards, and voids where insects hide, following label directions precisely. Use a dust formulation (e.g., silica gel or diatomaceous earth) in voids and under furniture legs; the abrasive particles abrade the insects’ exoskeleton, leading to dehydration.
After treatment, conduct a second vacuuming to remove dead insects and residual dust. Place sticky monitoring traps beneath bed legs and along travel routes; replace them weekly to assess ongoing activity. Continue weekly inspections for at least three months, repeating steam or targeted insecticide applications if new evidence appears.
Prevent re‑infestation by maintaining clutter‑free rooms, sealing gaps around electrical outlets and baseboards, and inspecting second‑hand furniture before introduction. Regular laundering of bedding on high heat and periodic use of monitoring traps sustain early detection capability.