What should be done after treating an apartment for bedbugs with a cold fog? - briefly
After fogging, thoroughly vacuum all rooms, wash all linens and clothing at ≥ 60 °C, and seal or discard heavily infested objects; then place interceptor traps in bedrooms and monitor for several weeks. If live bugs appear, repeat the fogging cycle.
What should be done after treating an apartment for bedbugs with a cold fog? - in detail
After the cold‑fog application, ensure thorough ventilation. Open windows and doors for at least several hours; operate fans to circulate fresh air and disperse residual aerosol. Remove and discard protective clothing; wash it separately at the highest safe temperature.
Conduct a detailed inspection within 24–48 hours. Place sticky traps beneath furniture legs and around baseboards. Examine seams, mattress folds, and upholstered cushions for live insects or shed skins. Record findings with dates and locations.
Launder all removable textiles. Use water‑temperature settings of 60 °C (140 °F) or higher; dry on the hottest setting. For items that cannot be laundered, seal in airtight bags for a minimum of two weeks to starve any surviving pests.
Treat remaining infested items with complementary methods. Apply heat treatment to mattresses, box springs, and large furniture, maintaining interior temperatures of 50–55 °C (122–131 °F) for at least four hours. For cracks and crevices, use residual insecticide sprays approved for bedbug control, following label instructions regarding concentration and re‑application intervals.
Maintain documentation of all actions. Log ventilation duration, trap results, laundering cycles, heat‑treatment parameters, and any residual‑spray applications. Store records for at least six months to support future assessments.
Schedule follow‑up monitoring. Repeat trap placement and visual inspections weekly for the first month, then bi‑weekly for the next two months. If live insects are detected, initiate a targeted retreat using the same or alternative control methods.