How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Permanently and Quickly

Bed bugs are small reddish-brown bug that lives by feeding on human and animal blood at night when you are sleeping.

If you have bed bugs they are super tough to exterminate from your home. They hide in the cracks and crevices of your rooms to come out at night to feed.

Over the years bed bugs have become more resistant to pesticides, which makes it hard to get rid of them. However, if you do the steps laid out in this post it is possible to get rid of bed bugs permanently without using an exterminator.

We will walk you through some steps on how to identify and exterminate bed bugs in your home, including what chemicals and non-chemicals to use.

Identification of Bed Bugs

Do you suspect that your home might have an infestation of unwanted guests? Then it’s time to learn how to identify bed bugs!

Though they may resemble other pests such as ticks, fleas, carpet beetles, and young German cockroaches, several unique characteristics make them distinct.

Bed bugs measure in at 5-7 mm long with a flat brown oval body shape housing two antennae and six legs – but no wings.

It is important to correctly identify these critters so that the right treatment methods can be used efficiently; failure to do so could lead to both wasted time and money for homeowners.

You want to look in all the nooks & crannies in the house to see any potential signs of a bed bug intrusion.

Bed bugs are unwelcome visitors that tend to hide in and around beds, mattresses, box springs bedding, and pillows.

Though there are only two species of Bed Bugs they can be spotted after feeding as their bodies become elongated and take on a reddish hue – or you may notice clusters of rice-like eggs up to 6-10 days before hatching into larvae which must be viewed with the help of a microscope.

A key symptom indicating an infestation is waking up suddenly with itchy red welts all over your body – so keep alert!

Where to Look for Bed Bugs

First Signs of Infestation

You may not want to think about it, but have you checked your mattress recently for signs of bed bug activity?

If you’re concerned that creepy critters are present in your bedroom, be sure to watch out for five key indicators.

From shed exoskeletons and dark spots on fabric surfaces to egg casings or a musty odor – these telltale hints could mean an unwelcome guest has arrived!

1. Odor from Bed Bugs

Have you noticed a musty-like scent in your bed? It could be an indication of unseen guests lurking away – bed bugs.

This can be tough because when you first get bed bugs the odor would not be that noticeable, so it’s important to keep an eye out for other signs like droppings or bite marks on your body.

In times when the population is extensive enough, however, there’s no mistaking that signature smell emanating from their specialized glands!

2. Bites on Your Body

Bites on your skin may be an indicator that you are dealing with bed bugs – but don’t panic just yet! Different people can react to the bites differently.

The most common sign is usually itchy, red welts found in areas such as the neck, back, and legs. So take a closer look for any unusual marks before drawing conclusions about what might have caused them.

3. Fecal Marks or Spotting

The tell-tale signs of a bed bug infestation are their feces, which can easily be identified by their dark reddish brown or black hues and smeared appearance.

It will look as though someone has dotted your mattress with thousands of tiny markers – an eerie reminder to take action!

4. Blood Smears

Blood-red stains on the sheets may not be from a wild night out – they could just as likely signal an unwelcome intruder in your bed.

Bed bugs are notorious for feeding off human blood, creating tiny drops that can spot up mattresses and pillowcases with telltale signs of their presence. Be sure to check for this if you suspect unwanted guests!

5. Finding a Live Bed Bug in Your Home

Discovering live bed bugs in your house can be distressing and does confirm your suspicion that you have them. Finding them in your home is stressful but if you follow our guidelines we can help you eradicate them from your home.

Contain the Bed Bugs

Containing a bed bug infestation in your home can seem overwhelming – but there are effective measures you can take.

• Try using tape or glue traps at the legs of the affected area’s furniture, as well as along baseboards to help trap any crawling bugs.
• Investing in an encasement cover for mattresses and box springs will prevent bed bugs from hiding inside fabric folds.
• Additionally, steaming with a specific tool made specifically meant to kill bed bugs is highly recommended; apart from that regular vacuuming should be done too!

Make sure not to move items between rooms & do not allow anyone in the infested room. This will help prevent you or your family members from spreading the bugs to other areas of the house.

Wash All Your Fabrics and Dry Them on High Heat

The dryer is one method you can use to get rid of bed bugs on your clothing. High heat will help to kill existing bugs and eggs. Here are some tips for you to follow:

Drying Clothes:

• Set your dryer to High Heat.

Washing Clothes:

• Use hot water.
• High temperatures can kill bed bugs on your clothes.
• Wash and dry your clothes in the highest temperature setting.
• Hang your clothes up to dry.

Once you have washed and dried your clothes do not put them back into the dresser. Put them in a plastic bag folded and just live out of the plastic bag until the bed bugs have been eradicated. I know it is a pain but I am assuming you want to get rid of them permanently.

Bed Bug Mattress Protector

Protect your mattress from bed bugs with a protective mattress cover! Bed bugs are pesky critters known to feast on the blood of humans and animals.

They can invade mattresses through seams and crevices, but you don’t have to let them take over – enlisting the help of an impenetrable mattress cover is the key to infestation management.

Choose a tightly-woven fabric or vinyl material that will be too tough for those buggers – then seal it up tight so they won’t escape.

Remember this does not get rid of bed bugs it just helps to stop them from hiding in the seams you will still need to spray and declutter to get rid of the all.

Declutter Your Home

The reports of bed bug infestations reported across the country each year are enough to make any homeowner cringe. One way to get rid of bed bugs in the home is by reducing clutter.

Removing clutter makes it harder for bed bugs to hide from the spray used to kill them.

Decluttering your home will make it easier to treat and get rid of bed bugs. The fewer places to hide for them the easier to get rid of them.

Put everything into plastic bags and if you think you have equipment or items with bed bugs hidden in them then add Nuvan ProStrips to each bag.

Steam Clean

While these pests are challenging to eradicate completely, steam-cleaning mattresses, furniture, and other surfaces may provide some relief by killing bed bugs.

Steam cleaners penetrate crevices that traditional methods won’t reach making them a powerful ally against these unwelcome visitors!

Use DIY Bed Bug Sprays and Concentrates

Before sitting down at your computer and frantically researching exterminators for treatment options, try to do it yourself.

DIY bed bug spray is one of the most effective ways to get rid of bed bugs once and for all. And you can do it yourself (DIY).

Here is the combination of pest control sprays, powders, and concentrates that we recommend using.

Put Items in Trash Bags and Add Nuvan ProStrips

If you want to remove bed bugs from your home you need to use Nuvan Strips. A Nuvan Strip is a chemical treatment option that kills bed bugs when it is placed in a sealed trash bag.

Place the Nuvan Strips in a plastic garbage bag and then add the item you think has bed bugs in it like a stereo, books, electronics, etc.

The Nuvan Strips release a chemical throughout the bag that ends up killing bed bugs. Make sure to leave the bag sealed for the recommended time period.

These strips can also be used in other areas around the house just make sure to follow the directions.

Home Remedies

We advise against home remedies such as bleach, Lysol, baking soda, vinegar, over-the-counter products, and any other cheap solutions. Bed bugs are too hard to get rid of and you need more powerful chemicals to kill them all.

Using a home remedy may kill a few but it will not get rid of them all.

What is the Cost to Hire Bed Bug Exterminator?

Individuals who suspect they have bed bugs can likely spend around $300 – $5,000 for hiring an extermination service. The average cost is around $1,750.

The price average price for this service is higher than other treatments, such as roach extermination, due to how hard they are to get rid of in the home or business.

You may not have the money for a professional to do the job. The thing about bed bug removal is that most exterminators do not guarantee results.

That is why DIY may be the only affordable option you have.

Our Top Picks to Kill Bed Bugs (We Use Both)

FAQs

How Long Does it Take to Get Rid of Bed Bugs After Extermination?

Bed bugs are an extremely tough pest to eliminate since they multiply quickly and can hide in places as small as a speck of dust. Unfortunately, they also take a while to kill since the treatments typically take between 2 to 4 treatment sessions within 3 to 6 weeks to eliminate bed bugs.

Still, the house size and degree of infestation are factors.

However, each situation is unique—and the length of time it takes to kill the pest (and eliminate the eggs) also depends on numerous factors, including the type of dwelling, the clutter in the home, and the condition of the structure, as well as the specific types of bugs and pesticides used.

What Can I Buy or Spray to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are surprisingly resilient. When bed bugs make their way into your home, they can remain dormant for a long time before they’re discovered, and then they’re notoriously difficult to get rid of.

When treating for bed bugs the option we have listed above we find works best if you follow the directions and declutter the home.

But what type of bed bug treatment product should you turn to? I recommend Temprid FX Bed Bug Killer and Gentrol if you have a limited budget and can’t do everything listed above. This is suitable for home use.

Do the Same Methods Work to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in an Office or Apartment?

Bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests to get rid of, adding to their reputation as common house pests. The same methods work in both residential and commercial.

What Kills Bed Bugs Naturally?

Bed bugs are irritating pest that is hard to get rid of. However, there are natural methods you can use to get rid of bed bugs. The safest way to kill bed bugs is to put affected items into a freezer that is at least 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Leave them there for four days to make sure all bed bugs are dead. Alternatively, you can use heat to kill bed bugs. A pest control company will bring in heat machines to heat the house hot enough to kill the bed bugs but this is very expensive.

To get rid of bed bugs in clothes you can wash and dry all bedding and items in hot water. Then put them all in the dryer for 60 minutes at 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

We do not recommend cleaners like bleach, Lysol disinfectant spray, white vinegar, or baking soda to kill bed bugs. They do not work and would be a waste of money and time.

You should be doing everything listed plus spraying chemicals that we recommend to kill bed bugs.

What is the Main Cause of Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs may be small, but they can cause big problems. These blood-sucking arachnids are found throughout the United States and feed on humans in addition to other warm-blooded animals.

Infestations tend to occur more often in hotter climates however, their ability to travel makes them a potential threat everywhere!

Whether it’s through your luggage, clothes, or used furniture – bed bugs will find an easy ride into your home if you aren’t careful when dealing with upholstered items from outside sources.

Be sure to know what else could have potentially hitched along for the ride before bringing any new item indoors–there’ll always be time for unpacking later once these unwelcome guests are gone!