Bed bugs in your home can decrease your quality of life, whether you have a few bed bugs or a full-blown infestation. Our guide provides instructions on how to kill bed bugs effectively with DIY methods and tips on when to call the professionals.

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What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are flat, oval-shaped insects. Adult bed bugs are 4–5 mm long, while nymphs are approximately 1.5 mm. This wingless insect feeds on blood. While it prefers human blood, it can target pets as well. 

The most common species of bed bugs found in homes are the following:

• Cimex lectularius
• Cimex hemipterus

Bed bugs live nocturnal lives. They hide in cracks and crevices during the day and come out to hunt for food at night.

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What Are the Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation?

It may be hard to notice their presence initially since bed bugs can hide well. Paying close attention to the early signs of bed bugs can help avoid severe infestations. Here’s what to look for:

• Bites: You may not wake up when a bug bites you, but you will find red and itchy bumps on your skin in the morning. These bites appear in clusters on exposed areas of your skin.
• Blood stains: In the morning, you may find blood stains on linens or pajamas. They occur when you squish a bed bug that just had a blood meal.  
• Brownish spots: These spots are bed bug droppings. These insects leave excrement on your mattress, upholstered furniture, or other common hiding and feeding spots.
• Live bugs: Bed bugs tend to hide during the day, but you can spot a few in the daylight. These insects aren’t fast crawlers, so they can be killed easily.  
• Molts: Bed bugs go through five stages of growth; each is accompanied by shedding skin. This discarded skin looks like an empty shell of a bed bug.
• Musty odor: Bed bugs secrete a scent similar to the smell of coriander. Because each insect is tiny, you may only notice the odor once the number of bugs becomes significant.

If you notice any of these signs, take action. Allowing bed bugs to multiply freely could lead to a severe infestation, which is hard to control. If you have bed bugs in the bedroom, consider inspecting additional rooms.

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Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?

Bed bugs are excellent hiders. They often manage to remain unseen for weeks or even months. Look for signs in their most common hiding places:

• Baseboards and electrical outlets: Bed bugs often squeeze into the gaps behind baseboards and hide inside electrical outlets. To find them, you may need to use a credit card (to force insects from the baseboards) and unscrew the outlet covers.
• Couches and upholstered furniture: Bugs hide in the crevices, folds, and seams of couches and other upholstered furniture. You may need a flashlight and a magnifying glass to inspect these places thoroughly.
• Curtains and window treatments: Bed bugs can cling to the folds and pleats of curtains and the edges and seams of window treatments.
• Headboards and bed frames: Bed bugs commonly hide in the cracks, joints, and seams of furniture around your sleeping space. They get quick access to food during the night this way.
• Mattresses and box springs: These insects prefer piping, seams, and tags of mattresses, as well as inside the crevices of box springs.

While bed bugs prefer to settle in the bedroom, they could live in other places in your home. You could find them in living rooms, basements, and other living spaces.

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Health Risks of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs don’t spread diseases, but they still pose significant health risks to you and your loved ones. The risks increase as the bed bug population grows in your home.

Skin Rashes

Bed bug bites can go away unnoticed but can also cause itchy red welts. The severity of these skin reactions varies from person to person. Some suffer mild irritation, while others develop significant inflammation.

Allergic Reactions

Some people experience allergic reactions to bed bug bites. Symptoms range from slight itching and redness to severe swelling and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis.

Secondary Infections

When you scratch the bite, you break the skin and create an entrance for bacteria. This action could cause an infection that may require medical treatment.

Mental Health Impact

Whether you have a few bed bugs or an infestation, their appearance can cause anxiety and stress. These annoying pests can disrupt your way of life and affect the emotional well-being of household members.

Sleep Quality

The anxiety of knowing bed bugs are present and the physical discomfort of bites can lead to sleep disturbances. Bed bugs can affect your overall health and daily functioning.

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How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs

If bed bugs have arrived in your home recently and haven’t spread, you may be able to handle them with DIY methods. However, a heavy infestation demands professional attention. Either way, bed bug extermination requires a comprehensive and consistent approach.

DIY Bed Bug Removal Methods

The most effective DIY methods for bed bug removal include the following:

Vacuuming

• Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment and a HEPA filter.
• Vacuum all carpets, floors, rugs, and upholstered furniture.
• Empty the vacuum bag or canister into a sealed plastic bag immediately after each use.
• Dispose of the sealed bag in an outdoor trash bin.

Employing Heat

• Gather all linens, clothing, and washable fabrics from infested areas.
• Wash the items in hot water (at least 120°F) to kill bed bugs and their eggs.
• Transfer the washed items to the dryer and dry on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes.
• Store cleaned and dried items in sealed plastic bags or containers to prevent re-infestation.

Protecting the Mattress

• Purchase high-quality bed bug-proof encasements designed for mattresses and box springs.
• Remove all bedding from the mattress.
• Carefully slide the mattress into the encasement and zip it.
• Repeat the process for the box spring with a separate encasement.
• Leave the encasements on for at least a year to ensure all bed bugs trapped inside die.

Using Pesticides

• Choose a bed bug spray or diatomaceous earth labeled safe for indoor use.
• Apply the spray or powder directly to cracks, crevices, and other hiding spots (e.g., baseboards, bed frames, and furniture joints).
• Reapply according to the instructions on the product label.

Avoid using dangerous home remedies such as kerosene, gasoline, or other flammable liquids. These methods can pose serious safety risks without eliminating bed bugs.

The best way to get rid of bed bugs before the infestation begins is to use all the above methods together. Repeat the steps until you ensure all the bed bug population is gone. Check the suspected areas at least once a week for new activity.

Professional Bug Treatment Options

Call a professional pest control company if your DIY methods fail and the infestation continues. Bed bug exterminator costs can vary depending on their methods, the extent of the infestation, and your location. The professionals employ effective techniques to get rid of the bed bug population for good. We outline these methods below.

Canine Detection

Trained dogs sniff out bed bugs with high accuracy. Handlers guide the dogs through the home, focusing on areas where bed bugs are likely to hide. This approach is excellent for identifying infested areas, even in hard-to-reach places. Professional exterminators can use it to design target treatments. The average cost of canine detection is $300–$600* per home.

Fumigation

Professionals seal the infested area and release a fumigant gas penetrating all spaces. This method doesn’t just kill live bed bugs but also targets their eggs. It’s highly effective for severe infestations. The downside of this treatment is that you must leave your home for at least several hours while it’s being performed. The average cost of fumigation is $4–$8* per square foot.

Heat Treatment

Exterminators raise the temperature of the infested area to between 120°F and 140°F using specialized equipment. At these temperatures, bed bugs and their eggs die within minutes. The main advantage of this treatment is that it’s chemical-free. It can also penetrate all areas where bed bugs hide. You usually need just one treatment to handle the infestation. The average cost of heat treatment is $1–$3* per square foot.

Insecticides

Pest control companies use professional insecticides you can’t buy over the counter. These treatments kill bed bugs on contact and provide residual protection. Professional exterminators apply such treatments to target areas to minimize exposure to household members and pets.

The average price of chemical and insecticide treatment is $2–$5* per square foot. Consider getting multiple quotes from pest management companies in your area.

*All price data in this article is sourced from Angi.com.

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How To Prevent a Bed Bug Infestation

Once you get rid of bed bugs, you must prevent the infestation from happening again. To do this, you can follow several simple rules:

• Check for signs of bed bugs in hotel rooms before unpacking.
• Encase mattresses and box springs in bed bug-proof covers.
• Keep luggage off the floor and bed when traveling.
• Inspect secondhand furniture before bringing it into your home.
• Reduce clutter and seal cracks in furniture to minimize hiding places.
• Regularly inspect your home, especially bedrooms, for signs of bed bugs.
• Wash and dry travel clothing on high heat after returning home.

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Our Conclusion

Early detection of bed bugs is key to their fast elimination. Take action after you notice the first signs of these unwanted guests. If DIY methods don’t work, call for professional assistance immediately. While the problem is unpleasant, it’s solvable. Even when bed bugs are gone, check for them regularly. Proactive prevention methods can save you time and money.

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FAQ About How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Can bed bugs live in your hair?

Bed bugs can’t live in your hair. However, they may get caught in your hair when trying to bite your scalp.

Do bed bugs go away on their own?

Bed bugs don’t go away on their own. They’ll stay as long as you provide them with a food source. The only way to get rid of bed bugs is to take action.

How long does it take to get rid of bed bugs?

It can take several hours to weeks to get rid of bed bugs, depending on your method. Professional bed bug control methods, such as heating and fumigation, work the fastest. 

What do bed bugs hate the most?

Bed bugs hate strong odors from essential oils such as peppermint and tea tree oils. However, scents alone won’t get rid of bed bugs.

What kills bed bugs instantly?

High temperatures, rubbing alcohol, and pesticides can kill bed bugs instantly. While some of these methods work well for live bed bugs, they may not be sufficient for eggs. That’s why extermination requires a comprehensive approach.

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