What did I use to kill bedbugs? - briefly
I applied a pyrethroid‑based aerosol spray formulated for bedbug control. I also employed a portable heat unit to sustain temperatures above 45 °C for several hours, ensuring complete mortality.
What did I use to kill bedbugs? - in detail
I eliminated the infestation with a combination of chemical and non‑chemical interventions, applying each according to its proven mode of action.
The primary agent was a pyrethroid‑based spray containing bifenthrin (0.5 % w/v). I applied it to mattress seams, bed frames, and baseboard cracks, allowing a 10‑minute dwell time before wiping excess residue. This insecticide disrupts the nervous system of the pests, causing rapid paralysis and death.
To complement the spray, I used a silica‑gel dust (Silica Aerogel, 95 % SiO₂). The fine particles were dusted into hidden crevices, wall voids, and behind furniture. The desiccant absorbs the lipid layer of the bug’s exoskeleton, leading to dehydration over several hours.
For immediate knock‑down, I employed a heat‑treatment device that raised ambient temperature to 48 °C (118 °F) for a continuous 90‑minute period. Bedbugs cannot survive sustained exposure above 45 °C; the heat penetrates mattresses, box springs, and upholstered items, ensuring mortality throughout the infestation zone.
I also deployed double‑sided adhesive traps placed along the perimeter of the sleeping area. The traps capture wandering adults and nymphs, providing a visual indicator of residual activity and aiding in monitoring the success of the treatment.
Finally, I sealed all entry points with low‑VOC caulk and installed a protective mattress encasement rated to block insects. The encasement prevents re‑infestation by trapping any survivors and denying access to new pests.
Summary of tools and substances used
- Pyrethroid spray (bifenthrin, 0.5 %): direct contact insecticide.
- Silica‑gel dust (95 % SiO₂): desiccant for hidden habitats.
- Portable heat unit: 48 °C for 90 minutes, whole‑room treatment.
- Adhesive interception traps: monitoring and capture.
- Mattress encasement & caulk: barrier and exclusion.
Each component addressed a specific stage of the bedbug life cycle, resulting in complete eradication when applied in the sequence described.