Safe Ways to Fight Bedbugs

Hot Water

• Washing clothing, drapes, bedding and other washable items in hot water will kill bedbugs, as long as the water temperature is above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Toss all washable clothing and bedding in the washing machine on hot, then dry the items in the dryer twice on hot. Dry-clean any clothing, coats and other fabric items that you are unable to wash in the washing machine. Rent a steam cleaner and carefully clean all carpets, couches and other fabric furniture. Clean fabric items in the entire house -- not just the bedroom. Bedbugs don't mind traveling to get a meal.
  
  

Freezer

• If you don't have access to a washing machine, put all of your clothing, bedding, stuffed animals and other plush or fabric items in the freezer in a sealed garbage bag. The freezer must be at a temperature of 32 degrees or lower to kill the bugs. Keep the items in the freezer for at least three days. If you don't have a freezer, leaving your items outside in a garbage bag for three days in the winter is effective, as long as the temperature is consistently lower than 32 degrees Fahrenheit and the items are placed in the shade.
  
  

Vacuum

• As soon as you notice signs of bedbugs, like small bites on the arms and legs or little black specks on your mattress, vacuum in every area of your house. Vacuum rugs, drapes, furniture, the mattress, the walls and the floor. Get into every crevice of your bed frame and the baseboard of your bed. Change your vacuum bag after you've vacuumed the entire house, and continue to vacuum as carefully as possible every day, being sure to dispose of the vacuum bag after each cleaning. Continue to vacuum until about two weeks after you no longer experience bedbug bites.
  
  

Car

• If you're traveling and you notice symptoms of bedbugs, don't bring them back home with you. Buy a few new items of clothing as soon as you notice symptoms of bedbugs and keep them sealed in a plastic garbage bag. If it's summer, place the rest of your clothing in garbage bags, then place them in your car. Keep the doors and windows of the car shut for at least one day. Park the car in the sun so the temperature reaches at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit inside.