Navigating the aftermath of a bed bug treatment and wondering, when can I vacuum after bed bug treatment? Today, we’re unraveling the post-treatment routine in your battle against these elusive pests. Picture this: your space is treated, but when is it safe to wield the vacuum?
Here’s the scoop – it’s generally recommended to wait at least two weeks after a bed bug treatment before vacuuming. We’re about to explore the reasons behind this waiting period and the precautions to ensure your efforts don’t compromise the treatment’s effectiveness.
Join us on this post-treatment journey, ensuring that your vacuuming strategy aligns with the timeline for a bed bug-free zone!
What Are The Common Methods To Treat The Bed Bugs
So, before we answer your question when can I vacuum after bed bug treatment, you should realize that it depends entirely on the treatment you employ to rid your home of bed bugs. So, first, let’s look into how to treat bed bugs at home. Though some people employ DIY hacks to get rid of them, we will focus on the two most common methods in this section. One is spraying, and the other is heat treatment.
Spraying Treatment
Before treating bed bugs, it is critical to have reasonable expectations. If you use a local spray, keep in mind that it will gradually kill the bed bugs. It is because this spray can only be effective when it comes into touch with bed bugs, and it’s nearly impossible to find and spray every single bed insect. Another thing to consider is the brand of the spray, the pressure in a specific space, and the current components, all of which add together to decide the time it would take to completely kill the bed bugs.
Tip: You require a second round of spray treatment for professional treatment approximately two weeks following the first. After the initial round of spraying, you should see a minor decrease in bed bug bites and numbers, with more dead bugs and fewer bites each passing day.
Heat Treatment
If pesticides are not your preferred extermination technique, another option is to overheat the pests. Using high sustained heat in your home, similar to termite extermination, will kill the pests instantly rather than slowly over time. Heat treatment kills every bed insect in a matter of hours; this raises the temperature to a point where all the bed bugs flee. When the inner parts of furniture, bed frames, and mattresses exceed 125°F (52°C), they die instantly, with some dying while running. This procedure eliminates almost all bed bugs in your home.
How Soon After Bed Bug Treatment Can I Come Home?
Another thing we want you to be aware that following any therapy, you should allow some time to return to the house or the areas where the treatment was performed. It is important for your safety. In this area, we will tell you how soon you can return to your home after the bed bug treatment. It may also indirectly explain your question, when can I vacuum after bed bug treatment?. So take notes:
Heat treatment demands you leave your home for six to seven hours. The heat is not detrimental to your health but it can be extremely uncomfortable.
Because the spray can harm your health, you must wait three to five hours before returning home. It occurs because the volume required to kill the bed bugs is extremely concentrated, which might harm your health.
Also, when you return to your living quarters, air everything out. Open windows, use screen doors and turn on fans to circulate air. You want to inhale as few chemicals as possible. They are not toxic to you, but the fewer there are, the better.
Can I Vacuum After Bed Bug Treatment – Why
So we don’t need to remind you if you can vacuum after bed bug treatment because the answer is obvious: YES, and we fully encourage vacuuming after bed bug treatment. Now figure out why to vacuum after bed bug treatment:
Bed bugs are stubborn insects that will not leave your home easily. Even if you have adequately sprayed them or destroyed them with heat treatment, there is a potential that they will return or that some of the stronger ones are already not dead, which is why they return. The most advanced poisons kill the majority of bedbugs but not all of them. The eggs are not killed. So vacuuming after bed bug treatment is the best way to eliminate them. Vacuuming can help you eliminate a large portion of the bed insect population in your home. It makes sure to suck the adhered eggs from the surface as well. We have listed some of the benefits of vacuuming after bed bug treatment below:
Benefits Of Vacuuming After Bed Bug Treatment
Vacuuming gives you the ability to:
- Remove huge groups of clustering bed bugs as soon as possible, or manually remove those you can isolate.
- Get rid of insecticide-resistant pests.
- Use insecticides less often in strongly infested places that would ordinarily require continuously repeated treatments.
- Clean out any dirt, dead insects shed skins, and other waste to create a “clean slate” for future inspections and increase insecticide treatments’ effectiveness.
- When insecticides are unsafe, impractical, or ineffective, vacuuming helps as an effective substitute to control bed bugs in those areas or on those products.
- Offer an alternative control method in regions with a lot of clutter.
How Long After Bed Bug Treatment Can I Vacuum
So, the wait is over; we are finally in the place where you will get the answer to when can I vacuum after bed bug treatment. We recommend that you wait for the residue to dry before vacuuming. Depending on the treatment, you should be able to vacuum within hours of the procedure. Let’s see how:
Heat Treatment
In the case of heat treatment, you can vacuum within six to seven hours following the treatment. Your home may become overly hot and uncomfortable within hours of heat treatment. As a general rule, you can vacuum as soon as you are permitted to clean your home by professionals.
Spray Treatments
Spray treatments may require three to four hours before returning home. However, certain treatments may prevent you from vacuuming for a few days or weeks. However, we recommend vacuuming immediately after washing your clothes. Any remaining eggs are destroyed while you launder your laundry because there is no room for growth. It all depends on how hard you work to keep your room clean.
So, wash your laundry before you go out and get a vacuum. Take out the linen from your bed, as well as any clothes that were lying around while the therapy was taking place. Make sure to clean and dry your bed sheets and garments at high temperatures. When you’ve finished your laundry and the residue from the spray (if you utilized this approach) has completely dried, vacuum.
How To Know When To Stop Vacuuming?
It is equally crucial to know when to stop vacuuming as it is to know when and how to vacuum. Depending on whether you picked the pesticide technique, it is preferable to cease vacuuming until you notice no more bed bug bodies are left. The rule is to not vacuum too soon and give the treatment time to do its work effectively. Then, when you no longer notice any fresh bites or observe any more bed bugs (dead or living) gathering, you can presume it is okay to stop vacuuming. Continue to vacuum as long as there are visible pests.
When Can I Vacuum After Bed Bug Treatment And Key Tips For Effective Bed Bug Vacuuming
Here are some crucial recommendations to ensure that you trap as many bugs as possible while without spreading the infestation:
- It’s typically preferable to get a vacuum designed and marketed specifically for pest control, equipped with a HEPA filter system to stop bed bug allergens from spreading via the air when you vacuum.
- A crevice tool is the best vacuum attachment for removing bed insect colonies. Use it on the majority of surfaces, including fissures, gaps, cracks, and corners. Using the maximum suction possible, drive the crevice tool forward at a 45-degree angle to the surface so that bugs and eggs are crushed and sucked into the tool rather than pushed to the side.
- Avoid pressing too hard against the fabric. It is possible to “flick” bed bugs and eggs off a surface rather than capture them.
- Bed bugs can withstand a trip through the vacuum hose. It is important to remove the bed bugs from the vacuum when you are finished to prevent them from escaping.
- When you’re finished, remove the vacuum bag and tape it shut. Then, place the vacuum bag into a plastic bag and close it. You need to throw away this bag.
- Pour the contents of the vacuum cleaner into a sealed plastic bag and throw it away if your vacuum does not come with a bag.
- Wash the removable container in hot soapy water to ensure that any leftover bed bugs are eliminated. This container is frequently equipped with a filter. This filter must be washed or thrown before being replaced by a new filter.
- If you intend to use the vacuum for bed bug control in another location, cover the nozzle with tape to prevent bed bugs from escaping; at the end of the day, discard the vacuum contents.
- Vacuuming frequently is required to control an infestation. Make a note of where you previously discovered bed bugs, and vacuum those areas again. Because eggs are attached to the surface, they are extremely difficult to remove. Adult bed bugs congregate in previously affected regions. Rechecking these places and vacuuming frequently will help limit the number of bed bugs in your home.
- To supplement vacuum elimination of bed bugs, use alternative non-chemical treatments such as laundry, heating, or freezing. It will help you save time and enhance control when vacuuming regions.
- To lessen the number of spots, you need to vacuum regularly and keep objects free of infestation in plastic bags.
Whether bed bugs are visible or not, vacuum these areas regardless of whether there are any visible bed bugs or eggs there
- The floor around the bed, behind upholstered furniture, and surrounding it (utilize a powered carpet attachment for carpeting)
- Near the bed, the floor and baseboard meet.
- Furniture with upholstery
- Cracks close to potential bug-infested locations in the bed frame, furniture, and walls.
How To Clean Vacuum After Bed Bug Treatment
Now that you know the answer to the question, when can I vacuum after a bug treatment? as well as some helpful advice on getting rid of the pests, you need to be aware of one more thing to stop any further infestations. This information relates to cleaning your vacuum because, if done improperly, a dirty vacuum can lead to a new infestation in your home. Let’s investigate how to clean your vacuum after bed bugs:
To thoroughly clean your vacuum of bed bugs, remove the bag and throw it away. Then, vacuum all the vacuum surfaces, including the cracks and crevices, using a hose attachment. Remember to vacuum the hose’s interior as well. Lastly, clean the vacuum with a moist towel and let it air dry.
Cleaning your vacuum after each time you use them is an additional method of getting rid of them. Bed bugs can survive in a vacuum for up to 40 days without sustenance. You must thoroughly clean the vacuum, and no bloodsucking bugs will survive, thanks to the high temperatures. The bagless vacuum cleaner has a sliding mechanism that makes cleaning more environmentally friendly. Also, to clean the attachments, fill a bucket or bathtub with water and dish soap. You must avoid any harsh chemicals that can harm a container’s exterior.
Vacuuming Bed Bugs With A Bagless Vacuum Or Bagged Vacuum; Which Is Better
We can see that you all want to get rid of those pesky creatures as quickly as possible, and a lot of you are inquiring about which vacuum (bagless or bagged) will be more effective at eliminating bed bugs. Which vacuum cleaner is perfect for your needs will ultimately depend on your budget and personal preferences.
Due to their increased power, bagged vacuum cleaners are better at removing allergens, dirt, and bed bugs. However, because you have to continuously replace the bags, they can eventually cost more to operate. You will frequently need to replace the bag and filter, especially if you have bed bugs.
Vacuum cleaners without bags (bagless) are better for the environment since you can dump the dustbin when it is full. Since changing bags is not a concern, they are often easier to maintain. When you remove the dustbin, the bed bugs may release dust and allergens back into the air, which increases the risk of an unintentional bed bug escaping from the chamber.
Tip: To stop bed bugs from spreading, seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag before throwing it away in an outdoor trash can if you or your professional housekeeping use a bagged vacuum. If your vacuum does not come with a bag, you must empty the contents into a garbage bag and secure it.
Methods Other Than Vacuuming For Bed Bug Treatment
Now that you know how efficient the right vacuuming is for getting rid of bed bugs, if you can’t afford an exterminator, lost your vacuum, or had to give it to a friend who lives far away, that’s awful. What other techniques are available to eradicate bed bugs? The good news is there are some DIY methods available for your ease. But you should be aware, though, that home remedies for bed bugs are sometimes ineffective and take longer to work:
- The first is to use sprays you may purchase, such as cockroach sprays. These sprays contain the same ingredients as the spray your exterminator uses. You spray it on areas where bed bugs are most likely present, such as under your mattress and nearby furniture. In addition to that
- You can use a mattress encasement to prevent bed bugs from entering your mattress.
- You can also use lures and traps to catch bugs. When they are trying to find you to eat,
- Diatomaceous earth, a fine powder that kills on contact, is another option.
Each of these techniques will help you significantly reduce the number of bed bugs in your home. And if you use them after the exterminator finishes their work, you’ll stop them from returning and eliminate those still alive.
Preventive Measures To Stop Bed Bugs From Coming Back
To prevent bed bugs from reappearing, you can take several actions. And no, not all of them have to do with maintaining a clean home:
- Identify the source of your bed bug infestation. Do you have proof that you obtained them from work? Or perhaps from a friend or relative? If that’s the case, stop it from happening again.
- Establish a bed bug quarantine. Your coat, hat, gloves, purse, and work clothes should all be kept in a sealed plastic container. Wear them only when you are leaving the house. Bed bugs cannot enter your home since these items are kept apart.
- You need to wash your entire wardrobe. It will destroy any bed bug eggs that might be there.
- If there are any holes or cracks in the walls of your residence, patch them up. In addition to being a potential source of bed bugs when they crawl through, your neighbors can make an excellent hiding place.
- You can avoid having to do further work later by giving the pesticides enough time to do their job and ensuring you aren’t allowing any current bed bug colonies to continue.
- Another preventive measure involves applying additional pesticides, repeatedly cleaning the perimeter, and vacuuming several times, not to mention the potential increase in material and labor costs.
Can Sleeping With The Light On Truly Prevent Bed Bugs From Coming Out?
Sleeping with the light on is not a foolproof method to prevent bed bugs from coming out. Bed bugs are nocturnal and are typically more active during the night when it’s dark. They are attracted to the warmth and carbon dioxide emitted by humans, and light does not deter their feeding behavior.
Bed bugs are adept at finding hiding spots in cracks, crevices, and furniture, and they can adjust their activity patterns based on the absence of light. To effectively prevent bed bugs, focus on proactive measures such as maintaining a tidy living space, using protective encasements on mattresses and furniture, regular inspections for signs of infestation, avoiding second-hand furniture with unknown histories, and taking precautions during travel to prevent bringing bed bugs into your home.
If a bed bug infestation is suspected, seeking the assistance of a pest control professional is advisable for effective elimination and guidance on preventive measures.
When To Vacuum After Flea Extermination
We can see that you are completely aware of when and how to vacuum to properly get rid of stubborn bed bugs, but we also see that you have another visitor with you; Fleas.
Flea infestations, however, are shocking and can quickly cause alarm in a family with pets. However, flea treatments provide an immediate defense against this insect invasion and a successful remedy to calm your pets and provide solace and respite. Similar to the bed bug spray, there are flea spray treatments, but again, vacuuming must come after.
After treatment, vacuuming is essential to help eliminate any fleas remaining. The vibration causes eggs and cocoons to hatch, hastening the exposure of the organisms to the product. To answer the question when to vacuum after flea elimination, The best way to prevent re-infestation of fleas is to vacuum as frequently as you can for a full month following flea treatment, throwing away sealed vacuum bags outside and keeping the vacuum in the garage. The only way to efficiently complete the job is to keep your pets flea-free while routinely vacuuming them out of your home’s carpets!
You must open the windows to let fresh air into the treated rooms when you return to the location. Moreover, after treatment, you must wait two weeks before vacuuming, washing, or cleaning because there will still be eggs that will continue to hatch.
Conclusion
So next time someone asks you, when can I vacuum after bed bug treatment? You need to tell them that this can occur three hours after treatment or up to a few days or a week afterward; it depends on the treatment you have applied. To effectively suck up those difficult-to-remove pests and fleas, you must utilize a vacuum with good features. When vacuuming these pests, a bagged vacuum is always preferable; however, it is expensive. The rule is to vacuum slowly and give it time to do its job. You can presume it is safe to vacuum if you stop getting new bites and see no more bed bugs (dead or living) gathering.
FAQs
Can You Vacuum Bed Bugs Out of a Carpet?
You can remove bed bugs from a carpet by vacuuming. The vacuum may be unable to pick up the nymphs, though, if they are firmly buried in a rug. In light of this, hiring a professional treatment firm is a good choice if you have carpet.
Can Bed Bugs Survive in Vacuum Cleaners?
They can survive in a vacuum. However, many bed bugs will undoubtedly perish due to the suction force. Furthermore, there is always a potential that a few bugs will escape the vacuum. Bed bugs may survive in a vacuum cleaner for months without feeding (blood). They’ll be looking for a method to get out.
Is It Okay To Vacuum Bed Bugs?
In addition to chemical control measures, non-chemical procedures like vacuuming are among the most efficient bed bug management techniques. While vacuuming by itself seldom (if ever) gets rid of bed bugs, it’s commonly combined with other non-chemical techniques and pesticide treatments.
How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Permanently?
Depending on the extent of the infestation and the size of the home, you can normally eliminate bed bugs in three to six weeks. The average length of a treatment session is two to four hours.
How do you clean a vacuum after killing bed bugs?
If a vacuum bag is not included with your vacuum cleaner, empty it and throw its waste away in a sealed plastic bag. To eliminate leftover bed bugs, thoroughly wash the removable container in hot, soapy water. This container typically has a filter connected.
Why do bed bugs always come back after treatment?
Bed bugs may return after treatment if all infested areas and hiding spots are not thoroughly treated, eggs are left behind, or if new bed bugs are introduced. A comprehensive and repeated treatment approach is essential for effective eradication.
Should I get rid of my mop after cleaning bed bugs?
It’s not necessary to get rid of your mop after cleaning bed bugs. Wash the mop head in hot water or replace it if it’s disposable, and clean all associated cleaning tools thoroughly to prevent the spread of bed bugs.
External Resources
- Lessons Learned From Robotic Vacuum Cleaners Entering In The Home Ecosystem – ResearchGate
- Dyson Launched The World’s Most Powerful Robot Vacuum In This Week’s Tech Roundup – Hypebeast
- Living With A Vacuum Cleaning Robot – ResearchGate
- Selection Of Vacuum Cleaner With Technique For Order Preference By Similarity To Ideal Solution Method Based Upon Multi-Criteriadecision-Making Theory – SAGE Publications