What should be done after a bed bug disinfection? - briefly
«Conduct a thorough post‑treatment inspection of all rooms, focusing on seams, cracks, and furniture, and set up traps or monitors for at least four weeks.»
«Wash or dry‑clean all bedding and clothing at ≥ 60 °C, and store any non‑launderable items in sealed plastic bags until no further activity is detected.»
What should be done after a bed bug disinfection? - in detail
After the eradication process, confirm that all life stages have been eliminated. Use a flashlight and magnifying glass to examine seams, mattress tags, bed frames, and nearby furniture. Record any surviving insects and repeat treatment if necessary.
Continue with thorough cleaning. Wash all bedding, clothing, and curtains in hot water (minimum 55 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Vacuum mattresses, box springs, and upholstered items, discarding the vacuum bag or cleaning the canister immediately. Steam‑clean carpets and curtains where heat can reach 100 °C for several minutes.
Isolate and treat storage containers. Place items that cannot be laundered in sealed plastic bags for a minimum of two weeks to starve any hidden insects. Apply residual insecticide to cracks, baseboards, and wall voids only if recommended by a professional.
Implement preventive barriers. Install mattress encasements that are certified insect‑proof, sealing all seams. Keep clutter to a minimum, reducing hiding places. Seal gaps around pipes, electrical outlets, and baseboards with caulk or expandable foam.
Establish a monitoring routine. Deploy interceptor traps under each leg of the bed and in adjacent furniture. Check traps weekly for at least 30 days, recording catches and disposing of trapped insects promptly. Replace traps if no activity is observed for two consecutive weeks.
Maintain vigilance. Conduct periodic visual inspections every 1‑2 months, focusing on high‑risk areas such as travel luggage, second‑hand furniture, and hotel rooms. Immediate action at the first sign of resurgence prevents re‑infestation.