4. Vacuuming to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

An inexpensive and important strategy to remove bed bugs and their debris.

Vacuuming is an effective way to remove bed bugs and their debris (shed exoskeletons, feces, eggs), which may trigger allergic reactions and asthma. For bed bug removal, professional pest managers use dedicated vacuums containing HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters that prevent dust and other particles from escaping into the air. A home vacuum can be easily modified to eliminate clusters of bed bugs, their shed skins, and eggs without contaminating the vacuum. Vacuuming is best used at the beginning of treatment, when bed bugs are hiding, or are intentionally flushed from a crack or crevice. Once disturbed, bed bugs usually move to new hiding spots and can be hard to find.

A. Area Vacuuming:

Recent research has shown that bed bugs constantly move within an environment. All stages of bed bugs (except eggs) are mobile, and pregnant females are the most active and disperse the furthest. With this in mind, regular vacuuming of carpets can catch bed bugs on the move.

To avoid infestations inside the vacuum, remove the bag or canister immediately after using and discard the contents outside of the home in a sealed plastic bag.

B. Targeted Vacuuming:

Vacuum in specific areas to pick up clusters of bed bugs, shed skins, and eggs. Use the vacuum hose and the crack and crevice attachment.

i. Prepare Your Vacuum:

Before you begin, take steps to prevent infestation in your vacuum. Use a knee-high stocking in the hose end to collect all vacuumed debris. When vacuuming is done, this can be removed, tied off, and discarded.

• Place the closed end of the stocking inside the vacuum (Fig. 40) and carefully place the open end of the stocking cuff around the hose opening (Fig. 41). Use a rubber band to secure.
• Gently insert the crack and crevice tool into the hose end, securing the stocking in place (Fig. 42). You are ready to vacuum.
• Once you have finished vacuuming, carefully remove the crack and crevice tool, swiftly but gently remove the stocking, and tie off the end to prevent any bugs from escaping (Fig. 43).
• Promptly seal the stocking in a zippered plastic bag before taking it outside to discard. Dispose of the stocking in an outdoor garbage container.
• If you use a vacuum cleaner without the stocking technique, the machine may have living bed bugs inside, even after discarding the bag or cleaning the canister. To prevent their release back into the home, store the vacuum cleaner and all its parts inside a large plastic bag, and seal it until the next use.

ii. Target Your Vacuuming:

Vacuum all areas where bed bugs might be found. This includes gaps/cracks/crevices in furniture (headboard, nightstand, dresser, electronics, and knickknacks), seams of mattresses, box springs and upholstered furniture, where the wall and ceiling meet, where the wall and floor meet, and floor/ceiling molding. Use a crevice tool to flush bugs from their hiding place and then suck them up (Fig. 44).

All vacuums have filters that protect the motor from dust and debris. Bed bugs should never make it to the filter in a vacuum that uses bags. However, in a bagless vacuum the filter could collect live bed bugs. Many of these filters can be washed by hand. Some are made of folded paper and cannot be washed.
Consider inspection and heat treatment (hair dryer) to assure that no living bed bugs persist on these filters.

Consider This:

• Vacuuming should be done regularly (3 times a week).
• Most vacuums come equipped with multiple attachment types, including wand or hose extenders. The crack and crevice tools focus more suction power on a small opening. Micro (smaller) vacuum attachments (Fig. 45) may be available to concentrate the suction in small areas.
• While the brush attachment can be used to dislodge eggs from surfaces, bugs and eggs can also get caught between the bristles, or can be flung during the act of brushing. If you use a brush attachment, clean it after each use. Wash the attachment, especially the bristles, in very hot soapy water, rinse, and dry. Store it in isolation until the next use.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Vacuuming

• Advantages:
• Quick removal of live/dead bed bugs and their debris;
• Reduces the need for multiple insecticide applications;
• Improves insecticide treatments;
• Provides a clean slate for inspections.
• Disadvantages:
• Live bed bugs may persist inside a vacuum if precautions, such as the stocking technique, are not taken. As a result, dedicated vacuums used for bed bug work can actually spread bed bugs to new locations. Avoid this problem by using the proper precautions listed in “How To”.
• Not every home or building has access to a vacuum cleaner.
• Small handheld vacuum cleaners built for cleaning up dust are often too weak to use for bed bug control.

References for Vacuuming

• Bérenger, J.M., L. Almeras, H. Leulmi, & P. Parola. 2015. A high-performance vacuum cleaner for bed bug sampling: a useful tool for medical entomology. Journal of Medical Entomology 52(3): 513-515.
• Brazell, C. 2015. Investigating realistic control options. Pest Control Technology 43(9): 40 42-44.
• Kraft, S. & L. Pinto. 2016. Should you be vacuuming for bed bugs? Pest Control Technology 44(6). URL: www.pctonline.com/article/should-you-be--vacuuming-for-bed--bugs/
• Sheperdigian, M. 2016. Helping the bed bug-afflicted. Pest Management Professional 84(5): 80.
• Shindelar, A., & S. Kells. 2011. Vacuuming to capture bed bugs. University of Minnesota Extension. 1pp. URL: www.bedbugs.umn.edu/sites/bedbugs.umn.edu/files/y2014m05d23_vacuuming.pdf