How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs: What Works, What Fails and When to Call a Pro
Bed bugs are hard to beat with a single product. Here is how to confirm them, what you can do yourself with heat, encasements and vacuuming, and why professional treatment is often needed.
To get rid of bed bugs, confirm them first, then combine several methods: run bedding and clothes through a dryer on high heat (EPA suggests 30 minutes), vacuum seams and cracks, put the mattress and box spring in bed bug encasements, and place interceptor cups under bed legs. Skip foggers and bug bombs; EPA says they should not be used as the only method. Most established infestations need a licensed professional.
Bed bugs are not a sign of a dirty home, and they are not known to spread disease. They are, however, very good at hiding, which is why one-step fixes rarely work.
What you need
- A flashlight and a credit card or putty knife to check seams
- Large plastic bags to carry laundry
- Access to a clothes dryer
- A vacuum with a crevice tool
- Bed bug encasements for mattress and box spring
- Interceptor cups for bed and sofa legs
Step 1: Make sure it is bed bugs
Adult bed bugs are flat, oval, reddish-brown and roughly the size of an apple seed. Look for:
- Live bugs or shed skins in mattress seams, the box spring, headboard joints and bed frame cracks.
- Small dark spots (droppings) on sheets, seams or the wall behind the bed.
- Tiny pale eggs in crevices.
- Rusty smears on sheets.
Bites alone are not proof, because reactions vary and other insects or skin conditions can look similar. If you can, capture a bug on clear tape and have it identified by your local extension office or a pest professional. For itchy or infected bites, see a doctor or pharmacist.
Step 2: Contain, don’t scatter
- Do not move to another room or the couch to sleep; the bugs can follow and spread.
- Do not throw furniture out right away. If you do discard items, wrap them and mark them so no one takes them home.
- Bag items in the room before carrying them through the house.
- Reduce clutter around the bed so there are fewer hiding spots.
Step 3: Heat-treat bedding and clothes
Heat is one of the most effective DIY tools. EPA’s integrated pest management guidance suggests putting bedding and clothing in the dryer at high temperature for 30 minutes. Washing alone may not kill bed bugs; the dryer step matters.
- Bag laundry in the infested room and carry it straight to the machine.
- Wash if needed, using the warmest water the care label allows. Our guide to laundry care symbols helps with delicate items.
- Dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Items that cannot be washed can often go straight into a hot dryer if the label allows.
- Put clean items into new clean bags and keep them sealed until the room is treated.
EPA also warns against trying to heat a room yourself with the thermostat, space heaters or a fireplace. It does not work and can start a fire. Whole-room heat treatment uses special equipment run by professionals.
Step 4: Vacuum, encase and intercept
| Tool | What it does | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum | Removes bugs and eggs from seams, cracks and carpet edges | Use a crevice tool; seal and dispose of the bag or empty the canister into a sealed bag outside right away |
| Encasements | Zippered covers that trap bugs inside the mattress and box spring and leave none of their usual hiding spots | Choose ones labeled for bed bugs; leave them on for at least a year, as some sources advise, and check for tears |
| Interceptor cups | Catch bugs climbing up or down bed legs; help you monitor | Pull the bed a few inches from the wall; keep bedding off the floor |
| Steam (by pros or careful DIY) | Heat kills bugs in seams on contact | Slow passes; check that fabric and finishes tolerate steam |
| Pesticides | Kill bugs where applied | Use only EPA-registered products labeled for bed bugs, exactly per label; never on bedding unless the label allows |
After treatment, see our tips on cleaning a mattress for routine care once encasements are on.
Why foggers and bug bombs fail
Bed bugs hide in seams, cracks, outlets and behind baseboards where fogger mist does not reach. EPA states that foggers and bug bombs should not be used as the only method of bed bug control, and research from Ohio State University, reported in 2012, found that store-bought foggers had little effect on bed bugs. Foggers also carry fire and exposure risks if used incorrectly. Never use outdoor pesticides indoors, and never use products such as gasoline or rubbing alcohol on furniture; they are fire hazards.
If someone swallows, inhales or gets a pesticide in the eyes, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (US) or emergency services.
When to call a professional
DIY steps can help with a small, early problem, but EPA itself notes that do-it-yourself heat treatment might not work. Call a licensed pest professional when:
- You find bugs in more than one room or in furniture beyond the bed.
- You live in an apartment or shared building (neighbors may need treatment too, and landlord rules may apply).
- Bugs still appear in interceptors two to three weeks after your efforts.
Professionals may use whole-room heat, targeted pesticides, steam or a combination, and usually return for follow-up visits. Ask how many visits are included and how they will prepare you. EPA’s do-it-yourself bed bug control page is a good place to start before you call.
Travel tips to avoid bringing them home
- Check the bed in hotel rooms: pull back sheets and look at mattress seams and the headboard.
- Keep luggage off the bed and floor, on a luggage rack away from the wall.
- When you get home, unpack straight into the washer or dryer and run a hot dryer cycle on what you can.
- Inspect and vacuum the suitcase before storing it.
- Check secondhand furniture carefully before bringing it inside.
Bottom line
Confirm bed bugs before treating. Bag and hot-dry bedding and clothes, vacuum seams and cracks, encase the mattress and box spring, and use interceptors to monitor. Avoid foggers and DIY room heating. If bugs are in several places or keep coming back, hire a licensed professional and follow their prep instructions.
FAQ
Can bed bugs live in clothes?
They can hide in clothing and bags, especially near the bed. A hot dryer cycle is the simplest way to treat clothes that can handle it.
Do bed bugs mean my house is dirty?
No. They travel on luggage, furniture and clothing and turn up in very clean homes and hotels.
Should I throw away my mattress?
Usually not. Encasements trap any bugs inside, and treating the room matters more. A new mattress can become infested again if the room is not treated.
How long does it take to get rid of bed bugs?
It often takes several weeks and more than one treatment, because eggs hatch after the first round. Keep monitoring with interceptors after you stop seeing bites.
