Blog > How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in 2025 [Complete Guide]
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in 2025 [Complete Guide]
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs: A Complete Guide
Just the mention of bed bugs can make some people’s skin crawl. Those who have woken up with itching, red bite marks on your body only to find out you’ve been infested and bitten by bedbugs, know how awful bed bugs are. While many associate bed bugs with big cities, the truth is bed bugs can appear anywhere.
In fact, 20% of Americans have dealt with an infestation or know someone who has encountered bed bugs at home or during a hotel stay. Bed bugs are difficult to eradicate and can cause problems for months. In this guide, we will review the basics of bed bugs, how to tell if you have bed bugs, and some advice on how to get rid of bed bugs.
A bed bug is a parasitic insect that feeds on the blood of mammals. The common bed bug primarily feeds on human blood, but they will also bite animals like cats, dogs, rodents, and birds. Bed bug nymphs, which are immature forms, look like adults but are smaller and lighter in color. Bed bugs can move quickly across floors, walls, ceilings, and other surfaces but cannot fly or leap like fleas. Even without the ability to fly or leap, their speed makes them highly contagious.
People often wonder where bed bugs come from and why they ended up with a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are “hitchhikers” and are transported via luggage, clothing, furniture, and other belongings. Although catching bed bugs on the road is unlikely, it’s still smart to take some basic measures just in case.
Infestations of bed bugs are common in hotels and other lodgings because of the ease with which the insects may hitchhike on human skin and other items. There are seldom ever any of them in the air, on trains, or in cars. Take care to prevent spreading bed bugs if you have them at home and want to travel.
Diagnosing The Problem
One of the reasons why bed bugs are such a threat is that they can go a year without food. This means that bed bugs can stick around for a long time, if the infestation is not treated as soon as possible. The insects may sometimes be confused for ticks, cockroaches, carpet beetles, or other domestic insects.
Before seeking treatments from a pest control company, or trying a DIY method, make sure that bed bugs are the actual culprit of the infestation. If you aren’t sure if the insects are bed bugs, a pest control specialist can help identify them.
In some cases, those with bed bugs might never see the bed beds. Without bed bugs or other indications of an infestation, it might be difficult to determine whether you have been bitten by a bed bug. This is because the bugs inject an anesthetic and an anticoagulant into the victim’s bloodstream when they bite, making it difficult to feel the bite.
When bite marks start to develop one to several days following the original bite, the majority of individuals only then recognize they have been bitten.
How To Tell If I Have Bed Bugs?
Bite marks from bed bugs are similar to those left by fleas or mosquitos. The bite marks will be swollen, red, itching, and uncomfortable. Often, might be haphazard or in a line.
In addition to these signs, bed bug bites may also cause sleeplessness, anxiety, and skin issues from excessive itching. Everyone reacts to bed bug bites differently, therefore some may not have any symptoms at all or show any outward indicators of being bitten, such as bite marks.
Other individuals may be allergic to bed bugs and may suffer negative effects from bed insect bites. In rare cases, anaphylaxis may occur as a result of these symptoms. Visit the nearest emergency room if you are experiencing anaphylaxis from a bed bug bite. It is important to note that bed bugs do not cause or spread disease. However, bites can get infected.
Identify Infested Areas
As bed bugs are very small, they can be difficult to see but there are some common signs of a bed bug infestation. The telltale bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts while sleeping are among the simplest methods to spot a bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are also nocturnal. In the daytime, they conceal themselves in areas like the seams of mattresses, within cracks or crevices, behind wallpaper, or any other mess or items near a bed.
When evaluating if bed bugs have infested an area, it is necessary to check for additional signs since these bite marks may take up to 14 days to emerge in some individuals.
Visible bed bugs in the folds of mattresses, sheets, furniture, and fabric-covered surfaces
Exoskeletons of bed bugs that have just molted
A sweet musty smell in rooms where bugs are present
Rust-colored blood stains from their excreted blood-filled feces on the mattress or close-by furniture
As soon as you experience the signs listed above, it is vital to call a pest control company as soon as possible to prevent the bed bugs from spreading. As the name suggests, bed bugs are found in mattresses and fabric-covered furniture. Common locations where bed bugs are found include apartments, shelters, hotels, cruise ships, buses, railroads, and dorm rooms. Studies have shown that 95% of the bed bug infestation will be within five feet of your bed.
Prepare For Bed Bug Treatments
Once it’s been determined you are dealing with a bed bug infestation, you must prepare for bed bug treatment. Before doing that, you must decide if you want to call a professional pest control company that will use pesticides. Or if you will choose a DIY method like store bought “bug bombs” or pesticides or all-natural method of killing the bed bugs.
While there is no harm in trying DIY or all-natural methods, it is best to get in touch with a specialist as soon as you discover bed bugs since, unfortunately, natural remedies are seldom 100% successful. Also, “bug bombs” contain numerous chemicals that when mixed together can lead to explosions, harmful chemical inhalation, and chemical burns.
Whatever method you are choosing to get rid of bed bugs, the best way to prepare for treatment is to thoroughly clean your home and remove any items where you can actually see the insects. When having a professional extermination service treat your home for bed bugs, it is possible you might have to leave for a few hours. Make arrangements for yourself, children, and pets ahead of time to avoid exposure to pesticides.
Keep The Infestation From Spreading
Once bed bugs enter your home, they may quickly spread from one room to another. With the right conditions, they can multiply rapidly and spread quickly. You must act immediately and eliminate bed bugs before they spread and make the situation worse. It is important to know how you can control bed bugs to keep the infestation from spreading. Below are things that you can take to prevent bed bugs from spreading into other rooms.
Move Your Bed
Make sure the bed, frame, and headboard are free of any bed insects, larvae, or eggs.
Place your bed at least 6 inches from the wall.
Put bed-bug-proof coverings or protectors on your mattress and boxspring and store in another location.
Remove all bedding.
Remove all items from underneath the bed and store away from other items.
Place any items removed from underneath the bed in a bed-bug-proof covering or protector.
Clean Items in the Infested Area
Clean all items removed with heat, if possible. Put them in the dryer on high for 30 minutes. Store cleaned items in a plastic bag.
Clean and remove curtains and curtain rods.
Thoroughly vacuum, then take out and discard the vacuum bag, or clean the vacuum canister with hot water.
Check Bed Bug Hiding Places
Check baseboards and crevices in walls for signs of bed bugs. If bugs are present, cover and caulk accordingly.
Make sure the wallpaper is not loose and repair any wallboard damage.
Look for signs of bed bugs in wall switches and electrical outlets. If necessary, clean.
Caulk or tape around the outlets.
DIY Control Options
Like we mentioned above, the best way to kill bed bugs is to call a professional exterminator. This is especially important if it is a severe infestation. However, in the instances of less severe infestations, a DIY at-home method to kill the bed bugs can be just as effective at a fraction of the cost. Here are some of these you can try out.
1. Hairdryer
Extreme heat is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs. Take a hairdryer on its hottest heat setting but lowest airflow setting and aim the hot air on any area where bed bugs might be hiding. After 30 seconds of continuous heat, the bugs should be dead. This method is great for books and papers that cannot be placed in the dryer.
2. Clothes Dryer
If you have stuffed animals or other small fabric items that cannot be washed, placing them in the dryer on its highest setting for 30 minutes can help to reduce and remove bed bugs and their eggs from the items.
3. Steam Cleaning
If you have a steamer at your disposal you can use it to kill bed bugs. This method uses water, heated to 150°F to kill and drive out bed bugs from cracks, crevices, and soft furniture. Be careful as heated steam can ruin the finish on some furniture items.
4. Bed Bug Heaters
There are special bed bug heating devices that you can purchase on pest control websites that can kill bed bugs. You can use them with attachments to create a tent oven that will help to kill bed bugs that have infested papers, books, bedding, clothes, and shoes.
5. Place Infested Items in the Freezer
Cold temperatures will kill bed bugs. To do this, place your bed bug infested items in a bag and place it in a freezer. It is best to not use near food items. The temperature needs to be at zero degrees and the items need to be placed in the freezer for four days to fully kill the bed bugs.
6. Interceptors
Interceptors are dual-well cups that are placed under the feet of bed frames. These items have a dual-well that not only prevents bed bugs from crawling up furniture but catches them sort of like glue traps. To ensure that the treatment works, you will need to keep the bed and bedding away from floors and walls.
7. Diatomaceous Earth
This is a powder made from the fossilized remains of diatoms that naturally contain silica. This product works by using its sharp edges to cut the insect allowing the silica to get inside and dry them out. You can spread diatomaceous earth around in the seams of your mattress and along the rails of box springs without being worried about harsh chemicals. Try to keep the substance away from children and animals so that they don’t ingest it.
8. Silica Gel
Often found inside of newly purchased clothing packages or shoes, these little packets are filled with silicon dioxide which is essentially porous sand that works to absorb moisture. This method works by opening the packets and spreading the powder in cracks and crevices; however, be careful about where you put this substance because it can be harmful to children and small animals!
9. Certain Pesticides
There are certain pesticides that you can purchase at stores that will kill bed bugs. Make sure to research them properly before purchasing and follow directions before using the pesticides in your home.
Remember, that none of these methods are 100% effective. If you still see signs of bed bugs after any of these methods, call a professional.
Evaluate And Prevent Future Bed Bugs
Preventing bed bugs is impossible. It is also difficult to tell where the bed bug infestation originated and the source of how they ended up in your home. However, there are a few things you can do to prevent future bed bugs.
Reduce Clutter
Even the smallest amounts of clutter can be a magnet for bed bugs. Bed bugs are naturally solitary and nesting parasites, so although these seemingly little accumulations of cluttered items may not seem like a concern at first glance, they may prove to be a major problem in the long run. Clothing, mattresses, bags, and curtains are common places where bed bugs nest.
Vacuum Daily
The overwhelming revulsion you feel from having a bed bug infestation in your life might lead to paranoia and an obsession with cleanliness which can lead to excessive cleaning. While cleaning too much won't prevent bed bugs from, daily vacuuming helps eliminate any lingering pests and picks up any eggs that may have fallen to the floor.
Use Protective Mattress Covers
Using a bed bug proof mattress cover is an excellent way to prevent the bugs getting into your mattress, if your home is infested. Make sure to apply the seal correctly to properly encase your mattress. Having a protective mattress cover will prevent you from having to throw away your mattress
Keep Your Mattress Away From Walls
Placing your mattress and bed away from the wall is another way to prevent bed bugs. Keeping your mattress away from the wall makes it difficult for bed bugs to enter your mattress.
Do Not Purchase Second Hand Furniture
Though a lower price is always appealing, it's smarter to either pay full price or visit a reliable vendor of gently used furnishings. This is due to the fact that bed bugs may thrive in almost any kind of upholstered furniture. Buying an unknowingly infested item will end up costing much more than buying a new piece of furniture from the start.
Finding A Professional
Finding a professional extermination company to help kill the bed bug infestation in your home or other property might sound like a daunting task. There are many local resources available to help you find the right professional for the job. You can easily find an extermination or pest removal company by searching online. Find local extermination companies here or visit the EPA’s local resources for bed bug assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get rid of bedbugs on your own?
You can get rid of bed bugs on your own using some more natural methods mentioned above such as steam and pesticides approved for home use. It’s important to regularly inspect your living spaces and clean thoroughly to prevent any future infestations.
Where do bed bugs hide?
Bed bugs can hide anywhere in your home. Bed bugs hide in concealed areas like mattresses, sheets, walls, furniture, and outlets. Also, make sure to double check any other fabric in your home for an infestation such as drapes, clothing, blankets, and dirty laundry.
What to avoid with bed bugs?
The best thing to avoid with bed bugs is prevent the infestation from spreading to other items and rooms of your home. You can do this by cleaning the area and sealing up cracks where bugs can enter.
How can you tell if you have a bed bug infestation?
You can tell if you have a bed bug infestation by the following signs:
Visible Bed Bugs: Look for tiny bugs in the seams of your mattress, on bedding, furniture, and other places with fabric.
Shed Skins: Check for tiny, translucent exoskeletons. Bed bugs shed their skins as they grow.
Distinct Smell: Bug-infested spaces have a pleasant musty odor.
Stains: Bloody, rust-colored streaks on the mattress or nearby furnishings.
What attracts bed bugs to your home?
There is not a single thing that attracts bed bugs to your home. However, there are a few things that make it more comfortable for them including:
Warm temperatures
Presence of animals
Cracks in pavement and foundation
Excessive clutter
Dirty laundry
Conclusion
There is no way to fully prevent a bed bug infestation but with the tips mentioned above, if the unfortunate event happens, you will likely be more prepared. Remember, that it is best to enlist the help of a professional when dealing with bed bugs. Not all cases of bed bugs result in having to purchase a new mattress. If you do need to buy a new mattress after bed bugs, SleePare can help! Visit our website to learn more about buying a mattress from SleePare.
Shanir Kol, founder and CEO of SleePare, pioneered the “Try and Buy” model in eCommerce, enhancing mattress shopping by combining in-store trials with online purchases. Launching in 1999, his company focuses on customer satisfaction and eco-friendly practices, aiming to minimize mattress waste and expand sustainably.
SleePare is a MUST! I entered expecting the typical mattress firm car salesman vibe but with online beds. RUVENNA did just the opposite. She was extraordinary! Not only did she provide sparkling water and chocolate with my curated sleep tour, she was very knowledgable, patient and genuine. And trust me I took full advantage, I went full goldilocks "little too soft; little too firm." She didn't back down, she was just as invested as I was (matching energy). Ruvenna is passionate about finding you the right bed and SleePare is where you find her.
Great experience at this SleePare location! I had issues with my prior mattress and was able to find a great mattress at their store. Valerio was personable, attentive, very knowledgeable, and had top-tier recommendations for my new mattress. I came away from the experience with a lot more knowledge about mattresses, confidence in my mattress choice, and a good deal on my mattress! I highly recommend this location.
I found this place when I was searching for mattresses online, and with many of the highly rated mattresses on Wirecutter, Forbes and Good Housekeeping did not have their own brick and mortars. I made an appointment and had a few mattresses I wanted to test out before coming in. I'm glad we came in because Valerio was so helpful and helped me find a mattress that suited our needs that was not even on my list! He was also very knowledgeable and welcoming. This store had all of the mattresses I had in my initial list and offered cheaper prices than listed online. It's also great purchasing from them and knowing they have a 100 night trial and with no extra charge to ship the mattress back. I definitely recommend stopping by Sleepare when looking for a mattress!
My husband and I recently visited SleePare in search of the perfect king mattress. The store vibe is welcoming and warm. There was no high pressure sales talk—just informative and helpful conversation that focused on our individual needs.Fazi, our sales agent, gets five stars for her wonderful disposition and her vast knowledge of the mattresses we tested.She was a joy to work with.This is the way to go if you are seeking a new mattress in an inviting environment.
We were baffled by the choices in new beds and also the high costs. Thanks to a review in The NY Times, we found SleepAre and best of all, Valerio. He walked us through the many choices with patience and a carefully culled understanding of what we needed. We would have been lost without him. Thank you so much Valerio. Ettie Taichman
My name is Debbie Hager-I just met the most generous kind, outstanding person who helped me to buy the best mattress for my holy father who is 93 years old the sales person's name is Valerio The store is located on 218 W. 30th St., New York City, NY. He was generous he was Kind offered us water and finally we got the best mattress for my holy father who is 93 years old and a huge Rabbi in America. Thank you, Sleep Are for helping us to make our life better.
We had a great experience choosing a new mattress at this store. You get to try several brands and the staff is very knowledgeable. Valerio goes about and beyond to help you make the right choice, highly recommended.
I had a very positive experience at SleePare. We got paired with Valerio who was incredibly helpful. He really knew what to look for in a mattress! His candor was appreciated and his energy made for a fun overall experience! We ended up being able to take advantage of the President's day sale and opted for the Mlily PowerCool Mattress which we loved in store. I quickly received my mattress and have been very happy with my choice so far. All the best, SleePare.
I was impressed with the care and attention shown to me when I visited the showroom. Fazi showed me the mattresses most relevant to what I wanted, and gave her honest evaluations of them. I left with a good idea of my choices.
Wonderful experience!Fazi was welcoming and patient. She pointed me to several mattresses to try and I never felt rushed. She helped me find the best mattress for my sleep style. I'm very happy. Would recommend.
Had a great visit to Sleepare! Fazi, the Store Manager, knew so much about every bed. Because you have to schedule an appointment, you get really individualized attention, but service is not pushy at all. I learned so much, both from laying on the beds and from speaking with Fazi. Completely recommend visiting this location if you are thinking of getting a bed from an online brand. You’ll get the feel of the bed and so much more.
Very happy with our mattress. Ruveena was our sales rep and she was very knowledgable and helpful, making sure we chose the right mattress for our needs. The store is clean and cozy, definitely would recommend.
Great store, great selection, and even better sales reps. Valerio is truly a pleasure to speak with. He is knowledgeable, super personable, and makes you feel right at home. You can’t go wrong with SleePare!
My wife and I had a fantastic experience shopping here for an online mattress. No matter how much you read or research, nothing beats actually trying a mattress out for yourself and SleePare is a great place to do that. There's no sales pressure at all, the staff couldn't be more accommodating and helpful, plus our sales rep, Fazi, was super knowledgeable about all the mattresses in the store. Once she had a sense of what we liked, she made smart suggestions about what else to try and her descriptions of how various mattresses would feel and why were always on point.While all online mattress companies now give extended trial periods, trying them first at SleePare eliminated the possibility of ordering one and immediately discovering that we disliked it. It also gave my wife and me the chance to agree on a mattress that felt right for both of us before buying it. The pricing at SleePare is great, comparable to what you'll see online, and they're willing to price match in the unlikely event that you have a lower quote. All in all, this was the best experience we've had in a brick and mortar store in many, many years.
Good choice of high quality mattresses and very helpful and attentive staff to assist customers.It took me two visits to decide on my choice and the entire sales team was extremely helpful, looking through the options, matching mattresses to the bed and helping me to identify the mattress to my taste.
I had an exceptional experience mattress shopping at SleePare with the most wonderful salesman, Valerio. His knowledge, expertise and care made the mattress purchasing process as easy as a blissful dream. I was given the opportunity to try a wide variety of mattresses at different price ranges, educated on the different offerings from each mattress company, and given as much time as I needed to contemplate my purchase with no pressure. I will be recommending SleePare and Valerio to all my friends and family for their mattress needs for the 6 star customer experience.
My in-store experience was exceptional. What's great about this store is that one has the opportunity to test out mattresses that are only sold online, all in a very relaxed atmosphere. Fazi was amazing! Once she knew what I was looking for, she showed me only the products that fit my requests. I was interested in 2 different mattresses and she answered all my questions about the features and differences between the two. And absolutely no pressure to make a decision right away. Highly recommended!
This place is truly a gem for those drowning in endless mattress searching. The place is extremely clean, well lit, cozy and comfortable. There's also wide variety of mattresses of different price range and firmness. Also, big shout to Fazi who assisted our trip to SleePare today. She is so knowledgable, respectful, kind and easy to talk to. I never thought I would leave a mattress shop feeling elated and joyful, but this place is top notch.
Valerio was fantastic in helping me purchase my mattress coming into the city. He provided expert advice and personal insight to ensure that I made the best purchase possible. I will definitely be coming back to this store!
Valerio was absolutely amazing! He helped me pick the perfect mattress. He is so personable and was patient with my indecisiveness. Would 100 percent recommend coming in to see him for your perfect mattress.
I really enjoyed going to SleePare. The person I worked with, Fazi, was excellent and was able to give me great information about each mattress I tried and the differences in comfort. It was a great experience. Would definitely recommend!
Amazing experience! Valerio is super knowledgeable, friendly and he gives you space to try a lot in peace! We bought our mattress and made a great deal!
Fazi was excellent and so knowledgable about each mattress. Her patience and expert advice made me feel confidant in my decision, never feeling I was being pressured. Highly recommend!
Fazi greatly helped us in the search of our new mattress. Our experience with her was delightful. She did not only take her time to understand our needs but also took time to educate us on all the aspects and details around a mattress choice.
Have had a nightmare of a time navigating the mattress industry on my own, especially after a few bad purchases from online bed in a box brands. Thankfully, Malcom and Sleepare helped my partner and I pick out what will hopefully be the perfect mattress for us. Really appreciate Malcom's knowledgeability and patience in answering all of our questions and being incredibly accommodating.
I had a great experience at SleePare and recommend them wholeheartedly. I had developed back pain and sciatica on my old mattress even though it was in great condition, and my Physical Therapist recommended that I change to a mattress with more cushioning as well as more support. SleePare is not restricted to just one or two brands. In their large showroom I could actually try a variety of brands for as long as I wanted. I figured that having to spend 8 hours on a mattress required a long testing. Raveena helped me and she was perfect. She first took time to understand my particular needs. Then she guided me with great expertise toward the type of mattress that would fit my needs. I was impressed by how knowledgeable she was and I trusted her answers because she did not embellish them or push to make a sale. Their generous free return policy of 100 days allowed me to try my new mattress at home. I don't understand how people can buy something online as personal and sensitive as a mattress without even knowing if they like it in the first place, and then go through the trouble of having to return it. SleePare was the place I was looking for: they are straight shooters that offer a nice selection of many brands with expert and honest advice. I've been sleeping on this mattress for 8 months and back pain and sciatica no longer wake me up.
Valerio was so lovely, and extremely knowledgeable about the matresses! He energetically gave us details on each bed in the showroom. There was a wide range of mattresses on display including some that were not advertised on their website, so we were glad we came in. My partner and I felt comfortable enough to try some beds together, it was a very queer friendly space and we felt confident enough to make a decision. We ended up getting a great deal on a typically expensive mattress, and he was very accommodating to our drop-off schedule. We had so much fun. 🌈❤️
Went there on 5 days ago to look for a king size mattress. Made an appointment. Read a bunch of reviews on line and went to check out the mattress that was highly recommended. Valerio helped us understand how mattresses are made and encouraged to try them. We eventually chose a different mattress to the one we went to check out. Very positive experience. Would recommend you go before committing to a mattress type based on reviews on line like NYT or Forbes ranking etc
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Meet The Author:
Shanir Kol
Shanir Kol, founder and CEO of SleePare, pioneered the “Try and Buy” model in eCommerce, enhancing mattress shopping by combining in-store trials with online purchases. Launching in 1999, his company focuses on customer satisfaction and eco-friendly practices, aiming to minimize mattress waste and expand sustainably.