How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

The short answer: act fast, but do not spread them

Bed bugs usually do not go away on their own. Store sprays and home remedies may kill some bugs you can see, but they often miss eggs and bugs hiding in seams, cracks, baseboards, furniture joints, and wall voids.

If you think you have bed bugs, the main goal is simple: confirm the pest, reduce hiding places, contain the spread, and get a clear treatment plan. You can start with careful cleaning and isolation, but many infestations need a licensed, state-certified pest control company.

Common signs include:
- Small reddish-brown bugs, about the size of an apple seed
- Tiny white eggs or pale shed skins in mattress seams or furniture cracks
- Small dark spots on sheets, mattresses, or bed frames
- Bites that may appear overnight, though bites alone do not prove bed bugs

Not sure what you are seeing? Start with this guide to identify common house pests. Fleas, carpet beetles, and other pests can look similar at first.

Important: Do not move mattresses, bedding, couches, or clothing from room to room unless they are sealed in bags. That can spread the problem. And do not assume one treatment will always solve it. Bed bugs can come back if the treatment misses eggs, hidden areas, or nearby items.

What you can do right now at home

These steps can help reduce bed bugs and make professional treatment work better. They are practical, but they are not a promise of full removal.

1. Wash and dry on high heat
- Put sheets, pillowcases, blankets, curtains, and affected clothing into sealed bags before moving them.
- Wash what you can, then dry on high heat. Heat is often more important than washing.
- After drying, store clean items in clean sealed bags or bins.

2. Vacuum carefully
- Vacuum mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, baseboards, carpet edges, and furniture cracks.
- Empty the vacuum right away into a sealed bag and place it in outdoor trash if possible.

3. Reduce clutter
- Bed bugs love hiding spots. Papers, piles of clothing, and stuffed storage under the bed make treatment harder.
- Do not throw everything away. Sort carefully and bag items first.

4. Use bed bug encasements
- Mattress and box spring encasements made for bed bugs can help trap bugs inside and reduce new hiding spots.
- Leave encasements on as directed by the manufacturer.

5. Pull the bed slightly away from the wall
- Keep bedding from touching the floor.
- If useful, ask a licensed company whether interceptor traps under bed legs make sense for monitoring.

6. Be very careful with pesticides
- Never use outdoor pesticides indoors.
- Never over-apply foggers or mix products.
- Always read the label and follow all safety directions to protect children, pets, and food.
- If you want lower-toxicity approaches, ask about heat, steam, targeted products, and eco-friendly pest control.

Avoid common mistakes:
- Do not sleep in a different room unless a licensed pro tells you to. Bed bugs may simply follow you.
- Do not pick up used mattresses or upholstered furniture from the curb.
- Do not rely on rubbing alcohol, essential oils, or internet hacks as a full solution.

When to call a licensed bed bug company

Bed bugs are one of the pests most likely to need professional treatment. That is especially true if:
- You see bugs in more than one room
- You live in an apartment, duplex, or attached building
- The problem keeps coming back
- You run a small business with guests, tenants, staff areas, or waiting rooms
- You cannot safely prepare, launder, or reduce clutter on your own

A licensed, state-certified pest control company may use a mix of methods such as inspection, heat, steam, vacuuming, monitoring devices, targeted pesticides, follow-up visits, and instructions for prep. Ask them to explain why they recommend a certain plan.

Typical bed bug treatment cost ranges are often about $300-$1,500+. Some jobs cost less, some much more. The real price depends on:
- How many rooms are affected
- How severe the infestation is
- Whether the company uses heat, chemicals, steam, or a combination
- The size and condition of the property
- The follow-up plan
- Your area

That is why you should treat online pricing as a starting point, not a quote. You can learn more on our costs page.

Before any treatment, ask the company to put the plan in writing:
1. Areas to be treated
2. Products or methods to be used
3. Prep steps you must do before service
4. How to protect kids, pets, and food
5. Whether follow-up visits are included
6. Total estimated price and any added fees

ShieldNest can help you get matched with local companies for free. You compare options, you verify the license, and you choose who to hire. Participating companies pay ShieldNest a flat fee for the match. The household does not pay for matching.

How to compare treatment plans without getting pressured

Not all bed bug plans are the same. A cheaper first number is not always the better value if it leaves out follow-up or uses a weak approach for a heavy infestation.

Here is a simple way to compare companies:

• Verify the license yourself. Make sure the company is licensed in your state and ask whether the technician is state-certified where required.
• Ask what evidence supports the diagnosis. Bites alone are not enough.
• Ask if they treat only the bed. Good plans usually address nearby hiding places too.
• Ask about follow-up. Bed bug eggs may hatch after the first service.
• Ask what prep is truly necessary. Some companies ask for too much; others explain only what matters.
• Ask about safety. Confirm re-entry time, ventilation, and steps to protect children, pets, and food. Read product labels and follow all pesticide-safety directions.
• Ask about lower-toxicity options. For some situations, heat, steam, encasements, and targeted applications may fit.

Useful questions:
- How many visits do you expect for my situation?
- What should I do with clothing, toys, and bedding?
- Will you inspect adjacent rooms or units if relevant?
- What happens if bed bugs are still active after the first service?
- Can you provide the full estimate and treatment steps in writing?

For a broader checklist, see how to vet a pest control company.

What to do next

If you have bed bugs, move in this order:

1. Confirm the pest if you can. Take a clear photo or save a sample in a sealed container if safe to do so.
2. Contain the spread. Bag laundry before moving it. Reduce clutter. Do not move infested items through the building unwrapped.
3. Use heat and vacuuming carefully. These steps help, but they may not finish the job.
4. Get estimates from licensed local companies. Compare the plan, the follow-up, and the safety instructions, not just the price.
5. Protect kids, pets, and food. Before any pesticide or heat service, confirm exactly what you need to remove, cover, wash, or store. Review pesticide safety for kids and pets.
6. Monitor after treatment. Even good treatment can require time and follow-up. Bed bugs can come back, especially if eggs survive or infested items are reintroduced.

If you want help finding local companies, ShieldNest is a free matching service. We do not treat pests or apply pesticides. We help you compare licensed providers near you so you can make the call with clear eyes.