Which technique can effectively kill bed bugs in infested mattresses without chemical pesticides?

• A. Drying in sunlight
• B. Hand washing
• C. Vacuuming
• D. Steam cleaning

Answer: (D)

Heat delivered by steam cleaning targets bed bugs where they hide inside a mattress. The high-temperature steam penetrates seams, folds, and tufts, killing bed bugs on contact and reaching areas that sprays or manual cleaning often miss, all without introducing chemical pesticides. This makes it the strongest non-chemical option for treating infested mattresses. Other methods like sunlight exposure, vacuuming, or washing can help reduce some bugs, but they don’t reliably reach or kill bed bugs deep in the fabric or their eggs. When using steam, move slowly over all the seams and folds and allow the mattress to dry thoroughly to avoid moisture problems.