I have bed bugs at home, what should I do? - briefly
Inspect bedding, furniture, seams, and cracks; wash all linens in hot water, dry on high heat, and vacuum thoroughly. Contact a licensed pest‑control professional for targeted treatment and follow their recommendations to prevent re‑infestation.
I have bed bugs at home, what should I do? - in detail
If you discover bed‑bugs in your dwelling, act immediately to limit spread and eradicate the infestation.
First, confirm the presence. Look for live insects about the size of an apple seed, dark‑brown, flat bodies. Inspect seams of mattresses, box springs, headboards, nightstands, and cracks in walls or furniture. Examine bedding, sheets, and pillowcases for tiny reddish spots (fecal stains) or shed skins.
Next, isolate the affected area. Strip the bed of all linens and place them in sealed plastic bags. Wash fabrics in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. For items that cannot be laundered, seal them in airtight containers for several months to starve the bugs.
Implement a thorough cleaning regimen:
- Vacuum floors, carpets, upholstered furniture, and mattress seams. Empty the vacuum canister into a sealed bag and discard it outside.
- Steam‑treat surfaces that can withstand temperatures of 100 °C for several minutes; the heat kills all life stages.
- Apply a dry‑ice (CO₂) fogger or a residual insecticide labeled for bed‑bug control, following label instructions precisely. Focus on cracks, baseboards, and hidden crevices.
After chemical or heat treatment, monitor the situation with interceptors placed under each bed leg. These devices capture any moving bugs and provide evidence of ongoing activity.
If the infestation persists after two weeks of diligent self‑treatment, enlist a licensed pest‑management professional. Professionals can perform:
- Whole‑room heat treatment (raising ambient temperature to 50–55 °C for 4–6 hours).
- Fumigation with approved gases.
- Targeted application of EPA‑registered products.
Finally, adopt preventive habits to avoid re‑infestation:
- Encase mattresses and box springs in zippered, bed‑bug‑proof covers.
- Reduce clutter that offers hiding places.
- Inspect second‑hand furniture before bringing it indoors.
- Regularly wash and heat‑dry bedding.
Consistent execution of these steps eliminates the pest and prevents future outbreaks.