What should be done with bed bugs in an apartment? - briefly
Identify and isolate the infestation, wash all linens on hot cycles and vacuum cracks and seams, then engage a licensed pest‑control service to apply a certified insecticide treatment and arrange follow‑up inspections.
What should be done with bed bugs in an apartment? - in detail
Identify the infestation promptly. Inspect bedding, mattress seams, baseboards, furniture crevices, and wall voids. Use a flashlight and a fine-toothed comb to locate live insects, shed skins, and dark fecal spots.
Isolate the affected area. Strip the bed of all linens; place them in sealed plastic bags and launder at ≥ 60 °C for at least 30 minutes. Encase the mattress and box spring in certified bed‑bug encasements and leave them on for a minimum of 12 months.
Choose an appropriate eradication method.
- Chemical treatment – Apply EPA‑registered insecticides according to label instructions. Target cracks, seams, and hidden harborage zones. Rotate active ingredients to prevent resistance.
- Heat treatment – Raise interior temperatures to 50 °C–55 °C for a sustained period (4–6 hours). Verify uniform heat distribution with calibrated thermometers.
- Cold treatment – Expose infested items to ≤ -18 °C for at least 72 hours if heat is unavailable.
- Steam – Direct steam (≥ 100 °C) into seams, upholstery, and baseboard gaps; repeat after 7 days to catch newly emerged nymphs.
Engage a licensed pest‑control professional. Document the infestation with photographs and written records; present these to the property manager or landlord. Most jurisdictions obligate landlords to remediate infestations promptly and at their expense.
Follow up after treatment.
- Re‑inspect the unit after 7, 14, and 30 days.
- Vacuum floors and upholstery; dispose of vacuum bags in sealed containers.
- Maintain clutter‑free spaces; seal cracks and install door sweeps.
- Use interceptors under bed legs to monitor for residual activity.
If the landlord fails to act, submit a formal written complaint, reference local housing codes, and consider contacting a tenant‑rights organization or filing a small‑claims suit.
Continual vigilance, thorough sanitation, and professional intervention together eliminate the pest and prevent recurrence.