Bite back against a bed bug infestation
Bed bugs are one of the most notorious and cringe-inducing household intruders, and discovering them in your home can feel overwhelming. But don’t panic: You can learn how to get rid of bed bugs using one or a few DIY removal methods that have proven successful against these discrete but uninvited pests. Let’s take a look at how to get rid of bed bugs and prevent them from coming back.
If your bed bug problem doesn't resolve itself after implementing DIY removal methods, it's time to call in a professional exterminator. Don't hesitate to take pest control action to prevent the infestation from growing.
A common misconception of bed bug infestations is that they only happen in dirty, unhygienic places. The truth is that bed bugs are highly adaptable and can inhabit any space, regardless of cleanliness. They don’t seek out dirt, dampness, or filth—they only need blood to thrive.
Bed bugs are opportunists that seek out places where they can hide and feed on the blood of unsuspecting people. They move fast in search of food, so the main cause of bed bugs is cross-contact between infested linens, clothing, luggage, furniture, or other soft items. If you are in the midst of a bed bug infestation, here are a few common scenarios that could have caused it:
Bed bugs hide inside used furniture, clothing, handbags, backpacks, or other soft items.
The bugs spread in hotels, motels, apartment complexes, or other multi-unit environments.
A house guest brought them in their luggage or clothing.
The bugs found their way into your luggage while traveling.
Pest control needs will change with the seasons due to temperature. In the spring, when water temperatures rise mosquitoes hatch, occasional invaders seek shelter within structures during the fall, and freezing temperatures in the winter drive rodents inside of structures.
Follow these guidelines to remove bed bugs from your home.
Bed bugs are a tough infestation to beat. The little bugs are hard to get rid of and prove very disruptive to home life. The best place to start is to create a plan to deal with the bugs and stop them from spreading further.
Evaluate what mattresses, couches, laundry bins, and other spots in the house are affected.
Isolate mattress materials, exposed clothing or blankets, furniture, and other items that are infested or have been exposed.
Arrange for new sleeping or outfit plans so people stay away from infected items.
Schedule an inspection from a bed bug control expert.
Buy DIY supplies to deal with the bugs until the exterminator arrives, such as plastic packages for sealing, traps, alternative blankets or pillows, and steamers.
Clear space in your schedule for heat treatments or space in your freezer for cold treatments.
Inspect potential sources where bed bugs could be lurking to return, including car seats, closets, carpet edges, and even the homes of friends.
Reschedule visits or events with friends and family to reduce risk of bed bug exposure.
Once you notice a bed bug infestation, it’s important to act fast to keep it from spreading to different areas in your home. Follow these steps to isolate the issue before treatment starts.
Isolate all infested items and seal them in plastic bags. Avoid moving these items throughout your home to minimize the chance of spreading the bugs.
Launder bedding, clothing, and linens on high heat for around an hour, drying them thoroughly. This method can kill bed bugs or eggs. Don’t forget about common items like pet beds, laundry holders, and spare blankets near the infestation where bed bugs can often hide.
Vacuum regularly as long as the infestation continues, immediately emptying and cleaning the canister outside.
Preparing for professional and DIY bed bug treatment is crucial to ensure it effectively gets rid of these unwanted pests for good.
Start by decluttering the infested area and removing any items that could become hiding places for bed bugs.
If you haven’t already done so, vacuum the area thoroughly, paying close attention to cracks, crevices, and furniture. Dump the vacuum bag or bin quickly to remove any bugs.
Before your exterminator arrives, be sure to remove all personal items from the treatment area and cover furniture with plastic or bed bug-proof covers.
Once you’ve confirmed a bed bug problem in your home, there are several low-cost DIY solutions to try. Here are the top methods to try before bringing in a professional exterminator.
Exposure to hot water or steam cleaners may kill bed bugs at all life stages, but it’s not always effective. The thermal death point of bed bugs is 118 degrees Fahrenheit to kill off the insects.
This method works best for killing bed bugs isolated to one area, as you have to apply direct steam for about 20 minutes.
Eradicating bed bug eggs will require 90 minutes of heat contact.
You can purchase a portable heating device, specifically made for this unfortunate task, that allows you to place infested items inside the racks and heat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. These devices typically cost about $310.
However, professional exterminators have access to more powerful, honed-in methods of heat for bed bug treatment. They can seal up larger items like mattresses or sofas and heat them to the required levels, killing bed bugs inside. Professionals also have whole-room heaters that can perform the same task, but these are rarely used inside homes where they can damage belongings.
Steam treatment is one of the most effective in-home ways to get rid of a limited bed bug infestation, and there’s no toxic pesticides to worry about. Steam comes it well above the temperatures necessary to kill bed bugs, so there’s less need to “hot box” your furniture or bed while still killing bugs and their eggs.
Purchase or rent a home steamer with nozzles that can treat many different materials and reach up to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Professional exterminators often have their own dedicated steamers for the job.
Use the steamer on exposed mattresses, chairs, couches, cars, and similar belongings.
Don’t use a steamer on more delicate fabrics or items that could be damaged by high-pressure steam.
Use steam in combination with our other methods: The sum of the parts is greater than the whole when dealing with bed bugs.
Freezing items to kill bed bugs can be successful, but it takes time and most homes don’t have the proper means to do it.
The EPA recommends leaving items in temperatures of 0 degrees Fahrenheit for at least three days.
Since most home freezers aren’t capable of reaching that low temperature, other bed bug treatments are often preferred.
There are over 300 EPA-approved pesticides for bed bugs that can help kill off a stubborn infestation. Keep in mind that there are several risks and benefits of using bed bug pesticides. Bed bugs are often resistant to pesticides, so don’t count on this method alone to get rid of them.
Purchase chemicals such as pyrethrins, pyrethroids, and desiccants.
Apply chemical sprays directly on infestation areas.
You can also sprinkle dust-based products like diatomaceous earth in the infested area, but you must wear protective gear to avoid ingesting or inhaling it.
Another chemical-based option is to use contact-kill sprays on live bugs, but it won’t eradicate bed bug eggs or hidden bugs. Always research the product side effects before applying to your home, and remove children and pets from the area during the duration of treatment.
After your primary treatment is finished, look for traps clearly labeled for bed bugs at your local home improvement store.
Place these traps around beds and furniture, where they’ll play two important roles.
Wait for traps to catch any straggler bed bugs before they can lay eggs and start the infestation process.
Clear the traps by disposing of the dead bugs, removing them completely from your home.
Use the traps to monitor bed bug presence and see if you need to take further steps or contact the pros for new options.
Unfortunately, many bed bug treatments don’t work on severe infestation, no matter how much money or time it seems to save. These treatments are rarely worth the effort:
Many traditional bug sprays: Bug sprays can be effective when sprayed directly on live bed bugs, but they can’t reach bed bugs hiding deep in fabric lining. They aren’t guaranteed to kill eggs. You also don’t want these toxic liquids on your home furniture if you can avoid it.
Essential oils: Some essential oil mixtures may irritate bed bugs, but they are unlikely to kill them and won’t make them leave. In fact, some scents appear to even attract bed bugs.
Sticky traps: Sticky traps aren’t designed for bed bugs and are unlikely to take effect. If you’re buying traps, look for traps that are specifically designed for bed bugs, not general insect traps.
Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol may kill bed bugs on contact, but it’s not very effective and it’s a bad combination with fabrics, which it can stain.
Fumigation or bug bombs: Fumigation is a poor option for bed bug removal, especially for DIYers. Bug bombs are very unhealthy and cannot kill tenacious bed bugs that dig down deep to avoid the fumes. Sometimes professionals will recommend fumigation for a very bad bed bug infestation, but it’s unusual and part of a broader treatment strategy.
Mothballs: Contrary to popular hopes, mothballs don’t do much to dissuade bed bugs.
Ultrasonic devices: Ultrasonic emitters make lots of promises about getting rid of bugs, and none of them are backed by evidence. Avoid these gadgets.
Pepper, herbs, any kind of seasoning: Rumors encourage the use of seasonings like mint or cayenne pepper to get rid of bed bugs. Alas, these tales aren’t true. Don’t sprinkle any seasonings on your bed or furniture to get the bugs out.
You need to hire a bed bug professional to address your infestation when you spot signs of an active infestation, such as seeing live bugs, getting bites overnight, or seeing bed bug droppings. It’s best to hire a professional exterminator at the first sign of these pests to avoid them multiplying and spreading further.
In many cases, you can get rid of bedbugs yourself if the infestation isn’t too widespread. However, if it’s a serious infestation or you want the peace of mind that the bugs are gone, hiring a local exterminator is the way to go. Pest control pros have the right skills, tools, and knowledge to inspect and treat the infested area safely. Plus, they can likely eradicate the infestation faster and more permanently than DIY treatments.
The typical cost for home bed bug extermination is $1,750 to $3,250. Hire a local exterminator to kill the bed bugs in your home and stop the infestation in its tracks.
After heating, steaming, cleaning, freezing and laying traps for remaining bed bugs, there are a few final steps to take to help prevent a future infestation.
Throw away infested items. Don’t try to give them away, and contact a waste removal service for removal of larger items.
Check your traps weekly to monitor bed bug presence. Some bed bugs in the first week or so may show up as remaining eggs hatch. Otherwise, bed bugs should eventually die out entirely.
You can also set “interceptor” traps or small containers posted under the legs of the bed with a layer of slippery talcum powder to capture bugs trying to climb back in.
Use caulk to seal any cracks or gaps the bed bug inspection uncovered. It’s unlikely that bed bugs enter through these weak spots, but other pests can.
Seal items you can’t heat or freeze tightly in plastic bags and store them away in cupboards, closets, or the attic. Wait at least one year before opening them again.
Once you’ve beaten the bed bugs, prevention is key to keeping your home bug-free. These are the most important tips to prevent bed bug infestations:
Keep luggage away from bed linens while traveling.
Inspect mattresses for signs of bed bugs while traveling.
Launder secondhand clothing, linens, and other soft items before use.
Inspect secondhand furniture and non-washable used items before bringing them into your home.
Declutter your home to limit potential hiding places for bugs.
Vacuum your home frequently to suck up any stray bugs.
Consider adding a protective shield to your mattress.
Wash clothes and other soft personal belongings immediately after traveling.
These are the signs of bed bugs to look out for:
Blood or rust-colored stains on mattresses, fabrics, or upholstery
Dark spots of excrement that look like dots from a fine-tipped permanent marker
Tiny eggshells and yellowish shed skins
If you’re wondering how to kill bed bugs fast, steam or EPA-approved pesticides are the most effective way to do it. Freezing methods can work, but it can take several days at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below to eliminate the entire infestation. However, it’s best to hire a professional bed bug exterminator to kill bed bugs instantly.
Bed bugs are highly sensitive to heat, so a hot blast with a hairdryer can draw them out of hiding. Providing a source of warmth, such as a heating pad or hot-water bottle, can attract and lure them out. Bed bug monitors and traps with pheromones can also be effective.
Yes, washing sheets, linens, or clothing in hot water will kill off any bed bugs. However, it’s not likely to eradicate an infestation. Bed bugs hide in mattresses, cracks, and furniture, so any leftover bugs will quickly multiply. A comprehensive approach involving cleaning, vacuuming, steam treatment, and professional intervention is usually necessary to effectively eliminate bed bugs and prevent them from coming back.
