If bedbugs have appeared in an apartment, how can they be eliminated at home? - briefly
To eradicate bedbugs at home, isolate infested items, vacuum all surfaces, wash fabrics at ≥60 °C, and apply a certified insecticide spray or heat treatment. Seal cracks, use monitoring traps, and repeat the procedure weekly until no bugs are observed.
If bedbugs have appeared in an apartment, how can they be eliminated at home? - in detail
When bedbugs are discovered in a dwelling, immediate action prevents spread and reduces population.
First, confirm the infestation. Look for live insects, dark‑colored spots (feces), shed skins, and tiny white eggs on seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, nightstands, and cracks in walls or baseboards. Use a flashlight and a fine‑toothed comb to collect specimens for identification.
Next, isolate the affected area. Remove all bedding, curtains, and clothing and place them in sealed plastic bags. Wash fabrics in hot water (minimum 60 °C/140 °F) and dry on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes; heat kills all life stages. For items that cannot be laundered, seal them in airtight containers for 90 days, the duration of the bedbug life cycle, to starve the insects.
Implement a thorough cleaning regimen:
- Vacuum mattresses, box springs, furniture, carpet edges, and floor crevices with a HEPA‑rated vacuum. Immediately empty the canister into a sealed bag and discard it outdoors.
- Use a steamer (temperature ≥ 100 °C/212 °F) on seams, folds, and hard surfaces. Steam penetrates hidden cracks and destroys eggs, nymphs, and adults within seconds.
- Apply diatomaceous earth or a silica‑based dust to voids, baseboard gaps, and behind furniture. These inert powders abrade the insect’s exoskeleton, causing desiccation.
- For severe infestations, apply a regulated insecticide labeled for indoor use against bedbugs. Follow label instructions precisely: spray cracks, crevices, and the undersides of furniture, then allow the product to dry before re‑entering the space. Use only products approved by relevant health authorities.
After treatment, monitor progress. Place sticky interceptors under each leg of the bed and furniture to capture wandering bugs. Inspect interceptors weekly; a declining catch rate indicates effectiveness. Repeat vacuuming and steaming every 7–10 days for at least three cycles, as some eggs may hatch after the initial treatment.
Prevent re‑infestation by maintaining the following practices:
- Encase mattresses and box springs in zippered, bedbug‑proof covers; keep them sealed for at least one year.
- Keep clutter to a minimum; store items in sealed containers.
- Inspect second‑hand furniture before bringing it indoors; treat or discard suspect pieces.
- Seal cracks in walls, baseboards, and flooring with caulk or expanding foam.
By combining rapid identification, heat and steam application, targeted chemical or dust treatments, and diligent monitoring, a household can eradicate a bedbug problem without professional extermination. Continuous vigilance ensures the pest does not return.