Performing regular bed bug inspections will help you to spot signs of an infestation. Look for dark fecal spots on your mattress and box spring, tiny gold-colored shells that the pests shed after molting, and the bugs themselves.
Wash all affected linens and clothes in hot water and dry them on the highest temperature setting. Seal clean items in plastic bags until you can use them again.
1. Vacuum
Vacuuming is one of the best ways to get rid of bed bugs because the pesky critters cling to fabrics and wedge themselves in cracks and crevices. While it’s not foolproof, good vacuuming can help reduce the number of bed bugs and eggs and make other treatments more effective.
If you have a vacuum with a crevice tool, focus on the edges and corners of mattresses, box springs, headboards and the surrounding furniture. Also, take the time to thoroughly vacuum all of your carpets and rugs. When you’re done, immediately seal the vacuum bag in a plastic container and dispose of it outside.
Double-bag and store all clothing that is infested with bed bugs in clear bags to avoid releasing the insects back into your home. Also, remove or discard any clutter that may serve as hiding places for bed bugs. This might include items like toys, books, papers, boxes or clothes piles. Finally, caulk cracks and other daytime hiding spots around windows and doors, baseboards, furniture and rugs. This is an important step because you won’t be able to effectively treat the entire house until these areas are sealed.
2. Heat Treatment
If you want a natural and effective way to kill bed bugs without any chemicals, then heat treatment is the way to go. You can do this at home using a steamer or a hot dryer. You should also vacuum and wash the mattress, dressers, nightstands, and any other furniture in the room. Also, get rid of clutter that can help bed bugs hide in your house. Use a bed bug trap, like a glue trap, to catch and kill any stray bed bugs.
If your bed bug infestation is severe, then a professional may need to treat your home with pesticides. They may also suggest a preventative measure, such as a mattress encasement that will help keep bed bugs away from your bed.
Some of the most popular pesticides for bed bugs include pyrethrins, pyrethroids, and chlorpyrifos. They are derived from chrysanthemum flowers and act on the nervous system of the bugs to kill them. However, some bugs have become resistant to these pesticides. So, be sure to discuss your options with your pest controller before taking this route.
3. Silica Gel
Silica gel is a desiccant that can kill bed bugs by drying them out. It can be purchased in the form of beads, granules or dust and is typically added to products as an ingredient that can absorb harmful moisture and unpleasant odors.
Place silica gel in areas where bed bugs are frequently found, such as the crevices around your box spring, mattress and frame; behind and inside headboards; and underneath nightstands. Also, inspect cluttered spaces for signs of bed bugs such as clothing piles on the bedroom floor and stacks of magazines, books or paper.
Before beginning any treatment, prepare the room by separating treated from untreated furniture (it’s important to do this because moving items between rooms spreads the pests). Additionally, remove all clothing from infested closets and double bag them so that they can’t be re-infested. Finally, seal cracks in baseboards and around light sockets to eliminate places for the bed bugs to hide. Then vacuum and wash all sheets and clothing with hot water. Repeat these steps as needed, but keep in mind that the best way to get rid of bed bugs is to use multiple methods at once.
4. Baking Soda
Many over-the-counter bug bite relief creams contain baking soda. It is also effective for rashes and poison ivy. Its high alkaline content can help balance the acidity of your skin to prevent breakouts and soothe existing ones.
Baking soda can make it difficult for bed bugs to crawl across surfaces. Sprinkle a thin layer on your bed and other infested areas to deter them. It is safe for children and pets, but not as effective as a pesticide.
In addition to preparing the space by moving furniture, decluttering and securing personal items in sealed bags, you should use heat treatment or foggers on all areas that are infested. This includes all closets and drawers where clothes, toys, papers, or personal belongings are stored. It is important to not move anything from infested to uninfested spaces because this spreads the bugs. Freezing is also a useful method but requires four days of consistently cold temperatures to kill the bugs and eggs. It may not work well on luggage or other hard-to-reach places. You can try putting small items in the freezer for a few days to see if it works for you.
5. Hot Water
The most obvious way to get rid of bed bugs is to simply use hot water. Wash your clothes, bedding, and drapes with the highest heat setting possible. Seal items that can’t be washed in plastic bags until they can be cleaned. Vacuum and sweep floors and clean your beds regularly. Caulk cracks and crevices around baseboards, light sockets, and furniture.
Inspect your home for signs of a bed bug pestemite regularly, especially after an insecticide treatment. Look for aggregations of dead bed bugs, dark droppings, gold-colored molted skins and stains, greasy smears, and odors. Look around the edges of your mattress, the piping along your mattress’s edge, and under the tufts and joints of any upholstered furniture. Search the walls for aggregations of dark brown dust and tiny gold-colored shells (often called “molted skins”).
Courtney Schley is a senior editor who covers sleep and appliances at Wirecutter. She’s been at the company since 2014 and has held a variety of roles in our appliances and bedding, baby, and child, and kitchen equipment coverage.