Health
Ways To Keep Bed Bugs Away For Good
Clear Facts
- Bed bugs can infest any home, regardless of cleanliness.
- Multiple methods—heat, vacuuming, and encasements—effectively fight bed bugs.
- Consistent monitoring and prevention are crucial to stop reinfestation.
If you’ve ever had to deal with bed bugs, you know how unsettling it can feel—these tiny insects are notorious for invading homes and robbing residents of a good night’s sleep. Luckily, there are practical ways to spot, control, and prevent bed bugs, backed by experts in pest control. Tackling the problem may take diligence, but it’s absolutely possible to reclaim your home.
Bed bugs, known scientifically as Cimex lectularius, are blood-sucking pests found worldwide. Their recent surge in certain areas has many people on alert. Bed bugs aren’t just a hotel problem—they can travel from public spaces, apartments, or even used furniture right into your living spaces. As certified inspector Diana Ludwiczak puts it, “You can also pick up bed bugs from any public seats or other places where people sit.”
Recognizing an infestation early is the first step to controlling it. Certified entomologist Jim McHale advises, “Bed bugs are really small—just about the size of an apple seed,” with a flat, reddish-brown body. One of the biggest clues is waking up with itchy, red welts, often in a line or random pattern, from their nighttime feeding. Not everyone reacts, so inspecting your bedding regularly is important. McHale adds, “Look for dark or black stains, possibly from bed bug excrement, as well as clustered fecal matter, which look like spilled pepper.” These signs often appear on mattress seams, bed frames, or in small cracks near where you sleep.
So what should you do if you suspect bed bugs? Start by vacuuming thoroughly—mattresses, carpets, behind furniture, and any potential hiding spots. Ludwiczak recommends, “You need to make sure you empty the contents of the vacuum and seal it into a bag… place the vacuum into an airtight snap bin. This way your vacuum is isolated.”
Encasements designed specifically to trap bed bugs are another effective method. These covers zip tightly around your mattress and pillows, sealing the pests inside and preventing more from escaping.
Heat is a real adversary for bed bugs. As entomologist Shawn Gleason explains, “They cannot survive temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.” Wash bedding and clothes in hot water or use a dryer on high. You can also use black garbage bags to trap items in a hot car for several hours; however, don’t attempt to overheat your home, as it’s both ineffective and dangerous.
For items that can’t stand heat, freezing is an option. Pest control expert Allan Bossel suggests, “Opt to freeze them out by placing the items in a freezer set to 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for a minimum of four days.”
Handheld steamers also work well—just make sure the steam hits at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the pests and their eggs, especially in cracks and tight corners.
Natural solutions like diatomaceous earth, a powder that dries out bed bugs by damaging their exoskeleton, can complement physical cleaning. As pest pro Michel Johnson explains, “When diatomaceous earth comes into contact with bed bugs, it causes damage to their outer shells…this not only damages their protective layer, but also leads to dehydration.”
Some people resort to available chemical insecticides. The EPA has registered over 300 products for in-home use, but Johnson cautions that these bugs are resilient: “Bed bugs have developed a behavioral adaptation known as avoidance behavior…they will actively avoid those areas,” which means chemicals alone often aren’t enough.
If your efforts don’t curb the population, or if the infestation seems widespread, professional pest control may be the best solution. “Self-treating typically does not eliminate bugs at their source,” McHale warns. The average cost for professional treatment is around $1,500, varying by location, home size, and infestation level.
There are also some misconceptions about these pests. You don’t need to throw everything away—targeted cleaning and treatment usually save most belongings. Bed bugs don’t only strike cluttered homes; they seek blood, not mess. Foam mattresses aren’t immune either, and bed bugs will travel on more than just fabrics—they can crawl across wood, metal, and plastic. Finally, don’t expect them to be gone for good after one treatment. “Bed bug treatments often require multiple applications and ongoing monitoring to ensure complete eradication,” Johnson says.
Preventing future infestations is possible with a few habits: keep your space tidy, seal up small gaps and cracks, invest in encasements, and inspect your bed regularly. Be especially cautious when traveling—inspect hotel bedding and luggage, and launder everything in hot water when returning home. Johnson offers this tip: “Unpack your luggage outside or in a separate area, and wash your clothes and belongings at high temperatures to kill any hitchhiking bed bugs.”
Adopting these practical steps can keep your home—and your peace of mind—intact, so you can get back to resting easy.
