What should you do if bedbugs are feeding? - briefly
Isolate the affected area, launder all bedding and clothing in hot water, and apply a certified insecticide or arrange professional heat treatment. Follow with thorough cleaning and regular inspections to verify eradication.
What should you do if bedbugs are feeding? - in detail
When you discover that bedbugs are actively feeding, immediate action is required to limit bites, reduce infestation, and prevent health complications.
First, address the bites themselves. Wash the affected skin with mild soap and cool water to remove any residual insects and reduce irritation. Apply a topical antiseptic or hydrocortisone cream to alleviate itching and prevent secondary infection. If swelling or an allergic reaction develops, seek medical attention promptly.
Second, contain the infestation. Strip the bed of all linens, clothing, and fabric items. Seal each piece in a plastic bag and launder on the hottest cycle the material can tolerate, followed by a high‑heat dryer cycle (minimum 130 °F/54 °C). Items that cannot be washed should be placed in a sealed bag for at least 90 days, a period that exceeds the bedbug life cycle.
Third, treat the sleeping environment. Vacuum the mattress, box spring, bed frame, and surrounding furniture thoroughly, paying special attention to seams, folds, and cracks. Immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister into a sealed container. Use a certified bedbug spray or a steam treatment (temperature ≥ 120 °F/49 °C) on all surfaces, focusing on hidden crevices, baseboards, and wall voids. Consider applying a residual insecticide to cracks and crevices that cannot be steam‑treated.
Fourth, monitor and repeat. Install interceptors under each leg of the bed to capture wandering insects and verify treatment effectiveness. Conduct weekly inspections for new bites, live bugs, or shed exoskeletons. Continue the cleaning and treatment cycle for at least three weeks, as eggs may hatch after the initial round.
Fifth, prevent re‑infestation. Encase the mattress and box spring in certified, zippered encasements that trap any remaining bugs and block new entry. Keep clutter to a minimum, as it provides hiding places. Seal cracks in walls, baseboards, and furniture with caulk. When traveling, inspect hotel bedding, keep luggage elevated, and wash all clothing immediately upon return.
By following these steps—cleaning bites, laundering and sealing fabrics, treating the environment, monitoring progress, and implementing preventative measures—you can halt feeding activity, reduce the population, and protect health.