Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

"Getting rid of bed bugs involves cleaning every surface of the room where the infestation has occurred. To remove all bedbugs, multiple treatments may be needed."

Getting rid of bed bugs has many methods and approaches. Here are a couple of ways you can effectively kill bed bugs and remove them from your home or apartment.

Bed Bug Control Kits

A bed bug control kit can be an effective way for individuals that want a cost effective "do it yourself" approach to killing and preventing bed bugs. They are significantly cheaper than buying products individually.

Kits include:

Bed Bug Spray (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate, Peppermint Oil, DI Water, Acetic Acid, Yeast, Polysorbate 20, FD & C Blue #1)- to kill bed bugs on contact and to spray into hard to reach areas.

Bed Bug Dust (Diatomaceous Earth) - used to kill bugs that hatch after you have treated a room. The dust attaches to the bed bugs shell and kills them.

Mattress Covers - Approximately 85% of bed bugs will be in or around the bed. By sealing the mattress, bed bugs trapped inside will die since they will not be able to feed.

Healing Spray - Relieves itch due to bed bug bites.

Guide - Information on how to kill bed bugs. A step by step guide with pictures of what to look for.

For additional research on bed bug control kits follow this link. Another good source for additional research on kits and bed bug products designed for safe home control is Dermisil for Bed Bugs.

Steps for Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

The key to getting rid of bed bugs is to clean all surfaces and treat all cracks and surfaces where bed bug eggs could have remained behind. This includes:

1. Vacuum all surfaces - Bed bugs can be picked up by a vacuum. Use the crevice tool to vacuum (no brush attachments), around the bed, bed frame and the perimeter of the room. Seal vacuum bag in plastic and dispose outside of the home.

2. Spray Seams and Cracks - Bed bugs hide on or near the bed. Use a mattress safe spray along seams and in cracks. After cleaning the mattress use a zippered cover to seal it such as the one available from Dermisil.

3. Clean all Clothes and Fabrics - Wash all clothes in hot water. Do not carry clothes from the infested room (or any other objects) unless they are in a plastic bag.

4. Use the Dryer when you Can - Place toys and other objects such as sneakers that can't be washed into the dryer. Run for 20 minutes on high heat (only objects that will not be damaged).

5. Spread Bed Bug Dust - Bed bug eggs attach to surfaces like cement. This makes them very difficult to remove. They can be killed with a steamer and by spreading bed bug dust that will kill the bugs when they hatch.

For additional tips see our page on bed bugs pest control. It may take 2 to 3 treatments to remove all bugs. Check adjoining rooms or if you live in an apartment check rooms on each side, including apartments below and above you to see if they are the source of the issue.

If the do it yourself approach to getting rid of bed bugs doesn't work, then call a pest control expert. They will use approaches such as the Nightwatch Bedbug monitor described below, sealing the room and then super heating it to kill all bugs, and even dogs that are capable of detecting the bed bugs unique scent.

Environmentally Friendly Bed Bug Control Products

BioSensory, has just introduced a product called the NightWatch(TM) Bedbug Monitor. It is an innovative product vs. other methods that are available and is designed to detect detect bed bug infestations at the earliest stages.

According to the manufacturer, the NightWatch Bedbug Monitor mimics a living, breathing human body -- combining CO2, a proprietary kairomone lure, and a patented thermal lure for a powerful three-pronged attractant and trapping system. When bed bugs approach to feed on what they think is a human, they fall into the pitfall traps made of highly polished material and cannot escape. NightWatch can catch both mature and immature bed bugs, since the monitor's detection period spans the 7-10 days bed bugs take between meals.

A recent field trial conducted in Charlotte, NC demonstrated the product can be effective in luring bed bugs into the trap. By using other approaches such as Bed Bug dust with the product, it can be part of an effective approach to killing bed bugs.

The product is only available for use through a pest control company. See our guide to local pest control companies or contact your local Terminix location which also specializes in bedbug pest control.