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EcoGuard Pest Management
Professional bed bug treatment in progress
By Gary Anderson||4 min read

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Complete guide to identification, containment, treatment, and prevention.

If you live with bed bugs, they can cause red itchy welts all over your body. Fortunately, you can get rid of bed bugs. Removing them takes time and attention to detail, so patience is important. You may need to try several strategies before complete removal.

Certain situations make it harder: lots of clutter for them to hide in, or frequent travel where they hitchhike on bags and luggage. If you cannot get rid of them on your own, hire a trained professional.

140°F
Instant Kill Temp
2 Weeks
Population Doubles
400 Days
Can Go Without Food

Identifying a Bed Bug Infestation

Find bed bugs before they start laying eggs. Smaller infestations are more manageable in cost and difficulty, but also harder to detect. Professional help is recommended for proper inspection.

Where to Look

  • Mattress creases and seams
  • Box spring folds and frame
  • Baseboards and carpet edges
  • Furniture upholstery folds
  • Electrical outlets and appliances
  • Picture frames and headboards

Signs of Activity

  • Live bugs (1/4 inch, red-brown)
  • Nymphs (white, very small)
  • Reddish blood stains on mattress
  • Dark pellets that bleed (droppings)
  • Small, pale yellow eggs
  • Molted exoskeletons

Containing a Bed Bug Infestation

1. Vacuum Thoroughly

Run vacuum over bed, bedding, dresser drawers, carpet, and electronics. Throw out vacuum bag and clean vacuum after.

2. Wash Everything

Run sheets, comforters, linens through multiple wash and dry cycles on hottest settings. At least 30 minutes per cycle.

3. Quarantine Items

Items that cannot be washed should be sealed. Bed bugs can go dormant for 400+ days without food.

4. Use Encasements

Mattress encasements trap bed bugs inside until they starve. Leave on for 1.5 years.

5. Set Traps

Moat-style traps under bed footers intercept crawling bed bugs. Smooth interior prevents escape.

DIY Methods Not Working?

Professional treatment eliminates bed bugs faster and more effectively.

Call (866) 326-2847

Treatment Options

Heat Treatment

Temperatures above 115°F kill bed bugs. Industrial heaters raise home temperature for 30+ minutes.

Pros:

Fast, effective, non-toxic. Works well in smaller spaces.

Cons:

Most expensive. Can drive bugs to untreated rooms. No residual effect.

Chemical Treatment

EPA-approved insecticides include pyrethrins, pyrroles, neonicotinoids, and growth regulators. Must make direct contact.

Pros:

Least expensive. Works with other treatment options.

Cons:

Cannot use on mattress surfaces. Many bugs are resistant. Multiple treatments needed.

Non-Chemical Options

Desiccants

Boric acid, diatomaceous earth. Destroy outer layer, dry out bugs. Work slowly but bugs cannot resist.

Plant Oils

Natural plant-based deterrents. Less effective alone but good as secondary support.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs by Location

Mattress

Steam slowly over entire surface including seams, creases, and corners. Vacuum dead bugs. Seal in encasement. Avoid chemical treatments on sleep surfaces unless EPA approved for mattresses.

Box Spring

Remove fabric liner to access frame joints. Apply pesticide since body does not contact it. Steam, vacuum, and encase.

Furniture (Sofas, Dressers)

Steam thoroughly, vacuum, apply pesticides to joints and crevices. Use powdered desiccant as final layer. Use footer traps to monitor.

Carpet

Steam clean with slow passes. Vacuum to remove dead bugs. Target insecticides at carpet edges near walls, not broad coverage.

Clothes & Luggage

Keep contaminated items sealed in plastic bags. Wash and dry on high heat. Steam clean luggage and wrap in plastic when not in use. Notify dry cleaners for special care items.

What NOT to Do

Do Not Panic

Having bed bugs is stressful, but do not let it overwhelm you.

Do Not Throw Out Everything

Clothes, mattress, and furniture are usually salvageable.

Do Not Wear Insecticides

Applying pesticides to skin while sleeping will not help.

Do Not Use Wrong Pesticides

Products not designed for bed bugs have little effect.

Do Not Move Furniture

Moving can spread bed bugs from infested to clean areas.

Prevention Tips

Keep clutter out of your house
Steam, vacuum, and wash bedding regularly
Use mattress and box spring encasements
Check hotel rooms before unpacking
Never set luggage on bed or floor when traveling
Inspect luggage and clothes before returning home

Hire an EcoGuard Professional

Save yourself the headache of potential failed attempts. Call EcoGuard Pest Management to get a licensed and trained bed bug exterminator. Our years of experience and equipment ensure we effectively treat your home for bed bugs.

Call (866) 326-2847Get Free Quote

FAQs

What kills bed bugs immediately?

Raising temperatures above 140°F kills bed bugs instantly. Heat treatments apply this by heating internal home temperatures above that threshold to ensure complete extermination.

Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?

DIY bed bug control is possible but not recommended. There is too much risk of failing and potentially spreading bed bugs without proper training and experience. Professional help significantly increases success rates.

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

If the first treatment is successful, you should know by the end of 4-6 weeks. Use all treatment options together: heat, chemical, and non-chemical. If new signs appear, the process starts over.

What is the most effective bed bug treatment?

The combination of several strategies makes up IPM (integrated pest management). Using pesticides with heat treatment combined with exclusion and prevention tactics ensures properties are bed bug free.

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