BedBug Treatment

"Bedbug treatment is probably best left to a professional, although this approach can cost $750 or more plus the on site inspection fee. Home bed bug treatment is possible, with the best approach requiring a kit of products that can be purchased on line from companies such as Dermisil for Bed Bugs for $160. Detailed instructions for how to kill bed bugs are listed below and provided throughout this site. Some homeowners go the self treatment route first, and then if the bedbugs return, hire a professional."

Bedbug treatment requires knowledge in terms of how to kill both bed bugs and their eggs and where to look. Professionals use similar products that are available to consumers, with the exception of some stronger pesticides and the ability to either fumigate a home/room or use a super heating approach to kill all of the bugs in a room.

The key to killing bedbugs is to find them, as indicated in the diagram below.

Picture of Areas in Home Requiring BedBug Treatment

Here's an over view of what is involved in each of these approaches. The quick summary is:

Bedbug Sprays: To kill live bedbugs on contact, will NOT kill eggs. Comes in pump spray or aerosol form.
Bedbug Dust: To kill bedbugs that were in eggs, hatch and then come in contact with the dust after hatching. Also called fossil dust or Diatomaceous Earth.
Hand Steamer: To kill eggs before they hatch. Extreme heat kills adult bedbugs and bed bug eggs. Pest control professionals often seal a room and super heat it for a few hours to kill all of the bugs and eggs.
Vacuuming: Good 1st approach to removing living bedbugs from the room. Will not get all of them.
Bedbug Mattress and Box spring Covers: Use after treatment. Will trap any bedbugs in the mattress and box spring. They'll eventually die when not being able to feed.

As mentioned, the cost effective way to buy these products is in a kit from companies such as Dermisil for Bed Bugs. Note that bedbugs can move 20 feet in any direction including up and down to adjoining rooms and apartments.

Preparing a Room for Bedbug Treatment

A room needs to be clutter free prior to treatment. Do not remove anything from the room unless it is in a plastic bag, so that bedbugs aren't carried from one room to the next.

Wash all linens in hot water and then place in the dryer on high heat for at least 20 minutes. This will kill all bedbugs and eggs. Wash blankets, clothes and anything else that was in the room. Place toys, sneakers that will not melt or get damaged in the dryer for at least 10 minutes at 120 F.

Throw out books, magazines, newspapers and anything else that was near the bed and that can provide a convenient hiding space for the bedbugs.

Loosen any wall plates and if you can, loosen the carpeting along the edge of the room. Bedbugs like to hide in the crack where the floor meets the wall.

Remove items from closets and drawers, particularly if they are near the bed. Do not return any items until the treatment is done.

It can take 2 - 3 treatments before the bedbugs are gone.

Bedbug Treatment: Sprays

Most consumers go to their local hardware store for a bedbug treatment and buy an aerosol spray such as Pronto or a pump spray such as Keen Free or All Stop. These sprays can be purhcased inexpensively from Amazon.com and can be seen here.

Sprays will kill bedbugs on contact. If you use an aerosol spray, DO NOT smoke when spraying as this could start a fire (yes, it actually happened). Whether you buy a canned aerosol spray or pump spray, each will kill bed bugs on contact. They are good for spraying into seams along the bed and into cracks. Even if the bedbugs appear to run away when sprayed, they are disoriented and will die.

Must bedbugs, approximately 80%, will be in, near, and around the bed, since this is where the human host will return (bedbugs are attracted to the carbon monoxide produced when people breathe). Sprays should be able to kill most of these bugs.

Spray around the bed, in the cracks of the bed frame, around the edges of the rooms, and anywhere else you believe that bedbugs are hiding.

The problem with using sprays alone is that they do not kill bed bug eggs. A female bedbug will lay about 10 eggs per day. The eggs are usually laid on a rough surface such as fabric and are attached to the surface with a cement like substance. This cement makes vacuuming them up impossible. Sprays will not penetrate their shell and are ineffective at killing them. For that you need a heat, such as a hand held steamer (which is why a steamer is part of most bedbug kits).

If you have pets or children, remove them from the area and check the label regarding safety. Keep a window cracked open to help the sprays dry quickly and to avoid mold on mattresses. Follow the manufacturers directions.

BedBug Treatment: Dust
(Fossil Dust, Diatomaceous Earth)

These bedbug dust products are all natural and are made from old fossils. Dust is sprinkled into areas where bed bugs may hatch and crawl. When the exterior or "shell" of the bed bug comes in contact with the dust it will penetrate the shell and kill the bug. Most professionals and individuals doing it yourself will spread a dust product after treatment. Some buildings in areas with large bed bug infestations such as New York City, are placing Diatomaceous earth (another name for fossil dust) into the walls to prevent the spread of bedbugs from apartment to apartment.

Bedbug dust is also useful around electrical and cable outlets, since liquid sprays could be dangerous in these areas due to the risk of liquids and electrical shock.

You can buy the Bedbug Insect Control Dust from Amazon. Dust products are human and pet safe.

Bedbug Treatment: Hand Steamer

Use of a hand steamer will kill bedbug eggs on contact by super heating them to 113 F. Bed bugs become sluggish in heat and will die in high temperatures. This is the most effective way to kill eggs. short of fumigating a room with a pest control professional.

Eggs are easy to miss as they are small, white, with each egg the size of a pin head.

Picture of Bedbug Eggs and Bedbugs on Furniture Fabric

Bedbug Treatment: Vacuum and Clean the Carpet

Before spraying or steaming, vacuum the carpet and use the hand suction tool around the edges. As recommended above, either loosen the carpet around the edges or at minimum use the suction tool.

Remove the vacuum bag in the room being treated and then dispose in a sealed plastic bag, outside of the house.

If you have a carpet, you might want to mix a disinfectant into the water or cleaning fluid. Use a product like PuraCleenRx. Be sure to test any cleaning product on an out of the way area to avoid carpet discoloring or staining.

Bedbug Treatment: Mattress Covers

Mattress covers need be certified as being for bedbug protection. They are designed with a zipper to enclose both the mattress and box spring. The goal is to trap any remaining bedbugs and eggs that may be hiding (particularly inside the box spring). Since they can't feed, any remaining bedbugs will die inside the mattress.

It is not necessary to replace a mattress or box spring that is in good condition. If there is a rip in either one, you might want to consider replacement. Determine if your area has a free pickup service for any furniture or mattresses that have bedbugs. Wrap in plastic before removing from the home to avoid dropping bedbugs in another room. An example of an approved mattress cover is the AllerZip Waterproof Bed Bug Proof Zippered Bedding Encasement from Amazon.com.

BedBug Treatment for Bites

A bed bug bite is actually a puncture from the two tubes that are on a bedbugs head. Any red skin reaction is actually an allergic reaction. While some people will have no reaction, most will develop a small red raised area that will surround the area bitten. Bites are usually on exposed areas of the body including the legs, arms and neck. Bedbugs tend to avoid the bottom of the feet.

Picture of Bed Bug Bites

People become more sensitive to bedbug bites with each episode. So a mild reaction from first time bitten can be worse the second time. In most people, beyond redness, the bites itch badly and may require the use of a simple over the counter itch cream. Symptoms can appear immediately to several hours later and will clear in approximately 1 week. Some people can have a more severe reaction such as welts or hives on the arm.

If the bites are itched, the skin could become infected, requiring an anti-biotic cream or an oral anti-biotic prescribed by a doctor. See a doctor if the bite marks are not healing.

Luckily, bedbugs do not spread disease.