How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Bed bugs are stubborn pests that can take over your home if you don’t act fast. Knowing how to rid bed bugs effectively means understanding where they hide, how to treat them, and what kills bed bugs instantly so you can get rid of them.

Follow this step-by-step guide to remove bed bugs and keep your home pest-free.

Before you can get rid of bed bugs, you need to be sure they’re actually the problem. Here are common signs:

• Bite marks: Itchy, red welts often in a line or cluster, especially after sleeping.
• Rust-colored spots: These are bed bug feces on sheets or mattresses.
• Shed skins and eggs: Tiny, pale shells and small white eggs in mattress seams or furniture crevices.
• Live bugs: Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown, flat, oval-shaped, and about the size of an apple seed.

Clutter gives bed bugs the perfect hiding spots. Before any treatment, clear out everything except large furniture from the room. Store items in sealed plastic bags with pest strips to kill any bugs hiding inside.

Decluttering not only helps you find bed bugs but also makes treatments more effective.

Pro tip: Avoid moving clutter around too much, or you might spread bed bugs to other parts of your home.

Bed bugs and their eggs can hide in your bedding and clothes, but insecticides can’t reach them there. Wash all infested fabrics in water heated to at least 120°F. Running the wash twice ensures you kill bed bugs completely.

Dry items on the highest heat setting. Heat is one of the best ways to get rid of bed bugs permanently. Since bed bugs can survive for months without feeding, thorough washing is especially important to eliminate any hidden eggs and prevent the infestation from coming back.

Bed bugs can survive for months without feeding, so thorough washing is key to getting rid of hidden eggs.

Bed bugs love hiding in box springs, bed frames, and cracks. Disassemble your bed to expose all potential hiding spots. Use a flashlight to look closely at seams, tufts, and underneath fabrics. If fabric covers are torn, remove them to prepare for treatment.

Take your time during this step, bed bugs can squeeze into cracks as thin as a credit card, so rushing could mean missing some hiding spots. Being thorough is key to making sure you find and treat every possible area.

Bed bugs often hide in furniture drawers, cracks, and crevices. Pull out drawers from desks, dressers, and chests. Inspect and clean inside and underneath furniture. Move furniture away from walls to check behind and underneath.

Keep in mind that bed bugs are great hitchhikers, so infested furniture can easily spread the infestation from one room to another if not handled carefully.

Scrub infested surfaces with a stiff brush to remove bed bug eggs. Vacuum baseboards, furniture seams, bed rails, mattress edges, carpet edges, and any cracks where bed bugs could hide. Use a vacuum attachment without bristles to avoid spreading bugs.

After vacuuming, seal the vacuum bag tightly and discard it outside your home to prevent spreading bed bugs.

While some home remedies help reduce bed bug numbers, most won’t completely solve an infestation. Products like rubbing alcohol, steam cleaners (130°F or higher), and certain pesticides can kill bed bugs instantly.

If you choose pesticides, use them carefully and follow all label instructions. Foggers and bug bombs are usually ineffective because they can’t reach bed bugs hiding deep in cracks.

• Myth: Bed bugs only live in dirty homes.
• Truth: Bed bugs can infest any home, clean or cluttered. They just need a host to feed on.
• Myth: Bed bugs transmit diseases.
• Truth: They cause itching and discomfort but aren’t proven to spread illnesses.
• Myth: DIY sprays can always kill bed bugs.
• Truth: Many DIY treatments don’t reach eggs or bugs hiding deep in cracks, making professional help often necessary.

Understanding the facts helps you fight smarter.

Preventing bed bugs starts with vigilance and good habits. Here’s how to keep them from coming back:

• Keep clutter to a minimum: Bed bugs love hiding spots, so keep your home tidy and organized.
• Inspect secondhand furniture and clothing: Always check used items carefully before bringing them home.
• Check hotel rooms when traveling: Look for signs of bed bugs on mattresses and furniture before settling in.
• Protect your luggage: Use sealed bags and avoid placing luggage on beds or floors when traveling.
• Regularly clean and vacuum your home: Frequent cleaning reduces hiding spots and catches infestations early.
• Seal cracks and crevices: Fix any cracks in walls, baseboards, or furniture where bed bugs can hide.

Staying proactive can help you avoid the frustration and hassle of bed bugs in the future.

Getting rid of bed bugs isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely possible when you combine thorough cleaning, heat treatments, and consistent follow-up. The key is persistence, as missing even a few bugs or eggs can cause the infestation to return.

By acting quickly, treating every possible hiding spot, and taking preventive steps, you can protect your home and avoid another outbreak. Whether you tackle it yourself or bring in a professional, the goal is the same: a clean, comfortable, and bed bug–free space where you can rest easy again.

Related Articles From the Trash Talk Blog:

• What Causes Bed Bugs?
• What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
• How to Take Apart a Bed Frame for Disposal
• How to Dispose of a Mattress (And How Not To!)