What should you do with bed bugs in an apartment and how to get rid of them? - briefly
Identify the infestation, seal the bedroom, apply heat treatment or approved insecticide, vacuum thoroughly, wash all linens at high temperature, and hire a licensed pest‑control professional to ensure complete eradication.
What should you do with bed bugs in an apartment and how to get rid of them? - in detail
Identify the problem promptly. Examine seams, mattress tags, and cracks for live insects, shed skins, or rust‑colored spots. Document findings with photographs.
Notify the property manager or landlord immediately. Provide written evidence and request a written response outlining the planned remediation timeline. Review the lease and local housing codes to confirm the landlord’s legal responsibility for pest control.
Isolate the affected area. Remove all bedding, curtains, and clothing from the infested space. Place items in sealed plastic bags or containers that can be heated to at least 50 °C (122 °F) for 30 minutes, or launder them on the hottest cycle the fabric tolerates and dry on high heat for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Conduct thorough mechanical cleaning. Vacuum carpets, floor seams, and upholstered furniture, discarding the vacuum bag or emptying the canister into a sealed bag outside the building. Brush mattress and box‑spring frames to dislodge hidden insects, then apply a mattress encasement rated for bed‑bug protection.
Apply chemical treatments only after the landlord’s approval or under professional supervision. Use EPA‑registered insecticides labeled for bed‑bug control, following label directions for dosage, application method, and safety precautions. Target cracks, baseboards, electrical outlets, and furniture joints. Rotate products with different active ingredients to reduce resistance.
Consider heat treatment for heavily infested items that cannot be laundered. Place objects in a portable heater or a professional heating chamber, maintaining temperatures above 45 °C (113 °F) for at least four hours to ensure mortality of all life stages.
Engage a licensed pest‑management company if the infestation exceeds a few rooms or recurs after initial efforts. Request a written work plan that includes inspection, treatment, and post‑treatment monitoring. Ensure the provider follows integrated pest‑management principles, combining chemical, physical, and preventive measures.
Schedule follow‑up inspections. After treatment, re‑inspect the unit weekly for at least six weeks, focusing on previously affected zones. Document any new activity and report immediately to the landlord for additional action.
Prevent re‑infestation. Keep clutter to a minimum, seal cracks in walls and flooring, and install door sweeps. Regularly wash bedding and garments on hot cycles. Inspect second‑hand furniture before bringing it into the apartment. Encourage neighboring units to cooperate, as bed bugs readily spread through wall voids and shared utilities.
By following these steps—prompt detection, formal communication with the property owner, systematic cleaning, targeted treatment, professional intervention when needed, and ongoing monitoring—residents can eradicate bed‑bug populations and restore a livable environment.