Vacuuming to reduce bed bugs

Dr. Bob Davis, BCE

Vacuuming can be helpful to quickly reduce bed bug populations in accounts, especially when there are active clusters. Tips you can follow to collect and remove bed bugs include:

• Use a crack-and-crevice cleaning tool and set the suction to “high,” if it is adjustable.
• Concentrate efforts on infested areas, cracks and crevices, seams and folds. Bed bugs can cling to fabrics. The crack-and-crevice tool and high suction can help capture them.
• Place tape over the nozzle when moving a vacuum to different areas of the structure during service. This will help to prevent spreading bed bugs within the account.
• It is critically important to remove the bag from the vacuum after use, as many bed bugs will survive the process. Remove and seal the vacuum bag with tape, then place the vacuum bag in a separate plastic bag. Seal the outer bag and dispose of it in the trash.
• If you use a bagless vacuum, wash it out thoroughly with hot soapy water, then rinse after each use. Clean or replace the filter if one is present.
• If you or your customer experience allergies to insects, dust, etc., a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter is an excellent choice.