How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Confirm you have bed bugs

Before you treat anything, make sure you are really dealing with bed bugs. Adults measure 4–7 mm (up to about 0.28 in) and are usually brown and red. Look for these features:

• Flat, oval, reddish-brown body without wings
• Rust-colored stains or tiny black dots on mattress seams
• Itchy bites, often in lines or clusters

They are most often confused with varied carpet beetle, kissing bug and booklouse. See the full bed bug profile for side-by-side details.

Why you have bed bugs

Bed Bugs hitchhike into homes in luggage, used furniture, clothing and backpacks. They hide within a few feet of where people sleep or sit for long periods. In apartments they can travel between units through wall voids and hallways. They are most active in spring, summer, fall and winter, so expect to see more of them then.

When you'll see bed bugs

Bed Bugs are most active in spring, summer, fall and winter. In spring, overwintering adults become active and many species lay their first eggs. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly. In fall, many bugs look for shelter, and some move toward or into buildings. In winter, activity continues mainly indoors in heated spaces.

Typical places to check: bedroom or bed.

Step-by-step: getting rid of bed bugs

Step 1: Inspect mattress seams

Inspect mattress seams, headboards and furniture joints with a flashlight. This is the step most people skip, and it is the one that makes the biggest difference.

Step 2: Wash

Wash and dry bedding on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Keep notes on where you still see activity so you can focus your effort.

Step 3: Hire a professional for heat or chemical treatment

Hire a professional for heat or chemical treatment, since DIY rarely eliminates them. This is the step most people skip, and it is the one that makes the biggest difference.

Natural and low-toxicity options

These methods work well alongside the steps above and keep chemical use to a minimum:

• Wash and dry all bedding and clothing on high heat.
• Vacuum mattress seams, bed frames and furniture, then seal and throw away the vacuum bag.
• Encase mattresses and box springs in bed-bug-proof covers.
• Put interceptor cups under bed legs to monitor activity.

If you do use a pesticide, choose one labeled for this pest and the place you're treating, and follow the label exactly. The label is the law.

When to call a professional

bed bugs are very hard to eliminate on your own. A licensed professional can use whole-room heat or targeted treatments, followed by inspections.

How to keep bed bugs from coming back

• Inspect hotel beds and keep luggage on a rack, not the bed.
• Wash and dry travel clothes on high heat when you get home.
• Check used furniture carefully before bringing it inside.
• Reduce clutter around beds where bugs can hide.

Safety notes

Bed bug bites itch and cause stress and sleep loss, but bed bugs are not known to spread disease.

Call 911 right away if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a racing heartbeat after a bite or sting.

About true bugs

The bed bug is one of the true bugs. True bugs have piercing, straw-like mouthparts used to suck plant sap or, in a few species, blood. They develop through gradual metamorphosis: nymphs look like small, wingless adults and molt several times as they grow. Many release strong odors from scent glands when threatened.

Because nymphs look like adults, you'll often see mixed sizes of the same bug together, which is a good sign that a population is breeding nearby.

Frequently asked questions