When doing wet cleaning and keeping the home clean, a person rarely thinks about the need for complex disinfection, until circumstances prompt it: an allergy to dust or cat hair, a decrease in immunity, or the presence of a bedridden patient at home, a source of pathogenic microbes. How and when should it be done?
When disinfection is needed
Rehabilitation of the human environment involves both the destruction of dangerous microorganisms and their carriers: insects (desinsection) and rodents (deratization). Disinfection of the apartment is necessary under the following circumstances:
- epidemic of a serious infectious disease (flu, diphtheria) in the region in the presence of a weakened family member;
- children or the elderly in a contact group with head lice, scabies or other infections;
- the occurrence of allergic reactions of unknown etiology;
- presence of pets leaving the house;
- appearanceinsects (flies, cockroaches, bedbugs, ants);
- serious illness of a relative on bed rest;
- detection of mold or mildew.
In all cases, except for the last one, the disinfection of the apartment is preventive. In the presence of a sick person, it is focal, in which both current and final measures are necessary (after recovery, hospitalization or death of a family member).
Types of disinfection
Handwashing is already a fight against germs, the simplest form of disinfection. There are four of them in total (see table).
| Type of disinfection | Contents | Degree of difficulty |
| Mechanical | Anti-dust treatment, wet cleaning, personal hygiene, knocking out the bed; painting floors and walls, whitewashing ceilings | Possible independent use using household appliances |
| Physical | Exposure to steam or dry heat, ultraviolet rays; boiling, pasteurization, roasting and roasting | It is possible to use it independently for preventive purposes, in case of focal infection it is advisable to resort to the help of professionals |
| Chemical | Processing with a special solution: dipping, spraying or wiping | |
| Biological | Introduction of microorganisms to destroy pathogenic bacteria | Not used in everyday life |
With a focal nature of infectiondisinfection of an apartment requires a combination of all types of disinfection, the use of professional products, protective suits and special equipment: pump sprayers, hot fog generators.
Apartment after the deceased
If a sick person lived in a family, after his death, you can independently carry out disinfection: treatment of the bed, walls, floor. It is advisable to burn soft inventory and clothes or process them in a dry-heat cabinet. But there are times when the deceased lived separately and relatives learned about the sad event late. The apartment was saturated with a putrid smell by the time of arrival due to the release of toxic poisons during the decomposition of the body at room temperature.
It is difficult to cope with the problem on your own, because you need a comprehensive disinfection of the apartment after the deceased, including:
- cleansing of pathogenic microbes;
- eliminate putrid smell;
- inactivation (neutralization).
For this purpose, deodorization is carried out, which is difficult to do on your own.
Disinfection of the apartment from bedbugs
Bed bugs are a problem in rental housing and cheap hotels, but they can come to any family, so you need to know how to deal with it. At the initial stage of infection, high and low temperatures are effective, which the bugs are afraid of. In winter, it is better to take out the bed in the cold, and in the summer, pour boiling water over it, having processed the bed linen. The bugs do not tolerate the smell of tansy and wormwood; vinegar, naphthalene or turpentine can be used for processing. Atsevere infection, it is better to use professional Dutch-made products.
Domestic preparations in the form of liquid or dust have good consumer reviews and lower cost. It is necessary to remember about the protection of the respiratory tract during work, as well as the use of gloves and special clothing. Disinfection of the apartment should be carried out in the absence of animals and valuables that can absorb the smell. As a preventive measure, wash bedding at the highest possible temperature using boiling water.
Cockroaches in the house: what to do?
Among the common causes of cockroaches to be wary of:
- unsanitary conditions at the neighbors,
- packages and things delivered by mail
- clothing that gets into the house from strangers;
- presence of unsealed cracks.
Water, leftover food and heat are factors that contribute to the spread of insects at an extremely fast pace. Cockroaches are not only carriers of infection, but also a threat to household appliances, the wires of which can be damaged. Of the folk remedies for insect control, boric acid is effective. It is harmless to humans, so it can be decomposed in special places. It is better to use it with egg yolk or sugar and flour, making small balls. Floors should be washed with ammonia to help control insects.
Disinfection from cockroaches in an apartment thoroughly infected,requires the use of chemicals: gels, traps or aerosols. With a common problem in a multi-storey building, it is necessary to simultaneously disinfect all residents using professionals.
Consumer opinions
Most people who are faced with the need for disinfection, at the first stage, try to cope with the problem on their own. Using these or other means, they are happy to share their experience of their application. If enough time has passed since the apartment was disinfected, the reviews are credible. Often, positive changes do not stand the test of time, those who turned to professional firms report this. Among the reasons for their appeal, the most common ones can be distinguished:
- consequences of non-compliance with safety precautions when using chemicals: allergies, indigestion, burns of the respiratory tract;
- return of the problem after two to three months (reappearance of bedbugs, cockroaches);
- strong degree of contamination of the dwelling.
If people decide to trust professionals, the disinfection of the apartment is more effective if a number of rules that consumers talk about are followed:
- necessary to choose a company with experience and positive reviews;
- it is important to find out the composition of the chemicals the company works with, the certificates for them and the degree of safety;
- read the instructions for the disinfection procedure and safety precautions.
