Treatment and Elimination of Bedbugs
Eliminating bedbugs is challenging due to their resilience, hiding abilities, and resistance to many common pesticides. Effective treatment and elimination of bedbugs often requires a combination of professional pest control, environmental management, and vigilance.
Professional pest control options:
- Chemical treatments
- Professionals apply insecticides, such as pyrethroids, directly to infested areas
- May require multiple treatments to reach hidden eggs or nymphs.
- Heat treatment
- Raising room temperature above 50°C kills bedbugs at all life stages.
- Highly effective but less available in low-resource settings.
- Fumigation
- Professionals may seal entire structures and treat them with gas.
- Expensive and used in extreme cases.
Home-based interventions:
- Vacuuming daily: Use a strong vacuum on mattresses, bed frames, and crevices. Dispose of the bag immediately.
- Steam cleaning: High-heat steam can kill bedbugs on soft surfaces.
- Wash clothes, linens, and curtains at 60°C, then tumble-dry them on high heat
- Encase mattresses: Use special bedbug-proof covers on mattresses and pillows.
- Declutter: Remove hiding places by reducing clutter around beds and furniture.
Avoid using flammable substances like paraffin, methylated spirits, or petrol — a dangerous practice reported in some informal settlements.
Treatment and Elimination of Bedbugs
In South Africa, access to professional extermination services can be expensive. Some municipalities offer environmental health support, but services vary by region. NGOs and community clinics may assist in referral or advice.
Bedbugs do not go away without intervention. Even after treatment, continued monitoring for signs of re-infestation is necessary for several weeks.
👉 [Next: Prevention and Living Bedbug-Free]
