What can you use yourself to exterminate bedbugs? - briefly
Use hot water (above 120 °F) with detergent, a high‑temperature steamer, or a dust of diatomaceous earth to kill bugs on contact, and apply an over‑the‑counter pyrethrin or bed‑bug‑specific insecticide spray for residual control. Ensure thorough coverage of mattresses, seams, cracks, and furniture, and repeat treatment after 7–10 days to eliminate newly hatched insects.
What can you use yourself to exterminate bedbugs? - in detail
Eliminating bedbugs without professional services relies on a combination of mechanical, chemical, and environmental tactics that can be applied by the homeowner.
Physical removal methods include vacuuming all mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and surrounding furniture. Use a hose attachment, empty the canister into a sealed bag, and discard it in an outdoor trash bin. Steam treatment with a handheld steamer set to at least 120 °C (250 °F) kills insects and eggs on contact; focus on seams, folds, and cracks. Heat‑exposure chambers—such as a large dryer—can treat clothing and bedding by running a high‑heat cycle for 30 minutes.
Chemical options that can be purchased over the counter consist of:
- Pyrethroid‑based sprays (e.g., permethrin, deltamethrin) applied to cracks, baseboards, and furniture legs.
- Silica‑gel dust spread into wall voids, under carpet edges, and inside mattress seams.
- Neem‑oil formulations for contact killing and repellent action.
- Diatomaceous earth, food‑grade, sprinkled lightly on floors and left for several days before vacuuming.
Environmental strategies improve effectiveness:
- Wash all linens, curtains, and removable fabrics in hot water (≥ 60 °C / 140 °F) and dry on the highest setting for at least 30 minutes.
- Encase mattresses and box springs in certified bedbug‑proof covers, keeping them sealed for a minimum of one year.
- Reduce clutter to eliminate hiding places; store items in sealed plastic containers.
- Maintain low indoor humidity (below 50 %) to discourage egg development.
Monitoring tools such as passive interceptor traps placed under bed legs help verify the presence of insects and assess treatment success. Repeating the above measures weekly for a month, then monthly for several additional months, ensures that newly hatched bugs are intercepted before they establish a population.