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How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs at Home
Bed bugs survive pesticides, hide in mattress seams, and feed nightly — DIY treatment requires the right combination of heat, encasements, and a contact pesticide. Exterminators charge $600+; DIY costs ~$120 and works if you're thorough.
Your Progress
0 of 6 steps completedStep-by-Step Instructions
1 Step 1: Confirm it's bed bugs (not fleas/mites)
Step 1: Confirm it's bed bugs (not fleas/mites)
Reddish-brown apple-seed-sized bugs in mattress seams or headboard cracks. Bite marks in lines on skin. Tiny black dots (feces) on sheets. Sweet musty smell in heavy infestations.
Visual inspection: mattress seams, headboard, box spring
Pull back sheets. Use a flashlight. Look in piping and tufts. Active bugs are flat oval reddish-brown.
Bed bug interceptor traps (under bed legs)
Plastic cups under each bed leg. Bugs climbing up get stuck. Confirms infestation and reduces feeding. ~$25 for 4.
2 Step 2: Encase mattress and box spring
Step 2: Encase mattress and box spring
Bed bug-rated encasements seal mattress and box spring in zippered bags. Bugs inside can't escape and starve in 12-18 months. Bugs outside can't get in.
SafeRest Premium Bed Bug Encasement (mattress + box spring)
Lab-tested bed-bug-proof zipper. Hypoallergenic, waterproof. ~$50-70 per pair.
Linenspa Bed Bug Mattress Protector (budget)
Cheaper alternative. Works but slightly louder. ~$30-40.
Leave encasements on 18+ months
Bed bugs can survive 12+ months without feeding. Don't remove until you've had zero activity for a full year.
3 Step 3: Wash and dry everything HOT
Step 3: Wash and dry everything HOT
Bed bugs die at 120°F+. Wash sheets, pillowcases, clothing on hot. Dry on highest heat for 30 min minimum. Dry-clean only items: seal in plastic bags for 4+ months OR put in freezer at 0°F for 4 days.
Warning: Don't move infested items to another room or you'll spread the infestation. Bag everything in plastic before moving from bedroom to laundry.
Wash hot + dry on high 30+ min
Heat kills all life stages. Dry alone is enough if you can't wash.
Plastic bag dry-clean only items 4+ months
Seal in heavy contractor bags, store in garage. After 4-12 months, bugs starve.
Freezer at 0°F for 4 days
Items that won't fit in dryer. Seal in plastic bag, freeze 4+ days.
4 Step 4: Apply diatomaceous earth + Tempo dust
Step 4: Apply diatomaceous earth + Tempo dust
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a fine powder that kills bugs by drying out their exoskeleton. Tempo Dust adds a fast-acting pesticide. Apply along baseboards, in cracks, under furniture, and inside electrical outlets (carefully).
Food-grade diatomaceous earth
Harmless to humans and pets, deadly to bed bugs. Light dusting works better than piles. ~$15.
Tempo SC Ultra (contact pesticide)
Pro-grade liquid concentrate. Spray cracks and crevices per label. ~$40-50.
Diatomaceous earth duster (tool)
Better than scattering by hand — applies thin even layer. ~$10.
5 Step 5: Use a portable bed bug heater for big items
Step 5: Use a portable bed bug heater for big items
ZappBug heaters reach 120-130°F to kill all bed bugs in items that can't go in the dryer — books, electronics, luggage. The pro-DIY tool.
ZappBug Room Heater (large items)
Whole-furniture sized. Mattresses, couches. ~$320-380.
Rent a commercial heater
Local pest companies rent industrial heaters for $200-400 per day. Cheaper than buying for a one-time job.
6 Step 6: Monitor for 8+ weeks
Step 6: Monitor for 8+ weeks
Bed bug eggs hatch in 6-10 days; nymphs take 5-6 weeks to mature and feed. Monitor for 8 weeks minimum. Repeat treatment if any activity. Don't declare victory early.
Bed bug monitoring traps under bed legs
Keep interceptor traps under each leg. Check weekly. Any catches = reinfestation, retreat.
Re-apply DE every 2-3 weeks (replacement)
Diatomaceous earth gets disturbed and loses effectiveness. Reapply over 8+ weeks.
Call a pro if still active at 8 weeks
Bed bugs in walls or ceilings exceed DIY range. Pro extermination (chemical or heat) for stubborn cases.
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