How to treat bed bugs in an apartment at home on your own? - briefly
Thoroughly clean the unit—launder all linens at 60 °C, vacuum seams, cracks, and furniture, then apply a certified residual insecticide to known hiding places and repeat after seven days. Seal any infested items in airtight plastic bags before discarding or treating them with heat.
How to treat bed bugs in an apartment at home on your own? - in detail
Treating a bed‑bug problem in a private apartment without professional help requires systematic preparation, thorough execution, and diligent follow‑up.
Begin with inspection. Use a bright flashlight and a magnifying glass to examine seams of mattresses, box springs, headboards, nightstands, baseboards, and cracks in walls. Look for live insects, shed skins, and small dark spots (fecal stains). Mark confirmed sites with a colored sticker to avoid missing any area later.
Isolate the living space. Remove all bedding, curtains, and clothing. Place each item in a sealed plastic bag. Wash fabrics in hot water (minimum 120 °F/49 °C) and dry on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. Items that cannot be laundered should be placed in a freezer at –4 °F (–20 °C) for 72 hours.
Apply chemical treatments only where necessary. Choose a registered insecticide labeled for bed‑bug control, such as a pyrethroid‑based spray or a desiccant dust (silica gel or diatomaceous earth). Follow label directions precisely: apply a thin, even coating to mattress edges, bed frames, furniture crevices, and baseboard gaps. Avoid over‑application, which can lead to resistance and health hazards.
Complement chemicals with non‑chemical methods. Vacuum all floors, upholstery, and cracks using a HEPA‑rated vacuum. Immediately empty the canister into a sealed bag and discard it outdoors. After vacuuming, sprinkle a thin layer of diatomaceous earth around bed legs, under furniture, and along baseboards. The powder will abrade the insects’ exoskeletons, causing dehydration.
Seal all possible entry points. Use caulk to close gaps around pipes, electrical outlets, and baseboard joints. Install bed‑leg encasements that are certified to block insects, ensuring a snug fit around the mattress and box spring.
Maintain a strict monitoring schedule. Place interceptors under each leg of the bed to capture wandering bugs. Check traps weekly, recording any catches. Continue vacuuming and re‑treating suspect zones every 7–10 days for at least three weeks, as bed‑bugs can survive several weeks without feeding.
Finally, prevent reinfestation. Keep clutter to a minimum, regularly wash linens, and inspect any second‑hand furniture before bringing it into the apartment. If after a month of diligent effort no new insects are detected, consider the eradication successful, but remain vigilant for any resurgence.