What might be a physical/mechanical control method for managing bed bugs?

Vacuuming and laundering are effective physical/mechanical control methods for managing bed bugs due to their ability to physically remove these pests from infested areas. Vacuuming is particularly effective at picking up bed bugs, their eggs, and other debris from surfaces such as carpets, mattresses, and furnishings. It can significantly reduce the population of bed bugs in an infested environment when done thoroughly and frequently.

Laundering infested items, such as bed linens, clothing, and other fabric materials, at high temperatures helps eliminate bed bugs and their eggs. Washing and drying items on high heat can effectively kill bed bugs, making laundering a crucial part of an integrated pest management strategy.

While other methods such as introducing predators or using chemical sprays are also options for controlling bed bugs, they do not fall under the category of physical or mechanical control methods. Sealing cracks and crevices is a preventive measure that can help minimize future infestations by limiting access points, but it does not directly remove or kill the bed bugs already present in an area. Hence, vacuuming and laundering stand out as the most direct and practical physical control methods within the context of managing bed bugs.