DIY Methods to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Hot Wash Bedding and Clothing
Wash all bedding, curtains, and clothing from the affected room at 60°C or higher to kill bed bugs and their eggs. Tumble dry on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. Bag items in sealed plastic bags during transport to the washing machine.
Vacuum Thoroughly
Vacuum the mattress, bed frame, headboard, skirting boards, and carpet in the affected room using the crevice tool. Empty the vacuum cleaner immediately into a sealed bag and dispose of it in an outside bin. Vacuuming removes live bugs and eggs but will not eliminate an infestation on its own.
Mattress Encasements
Bed bug-proof mattress encasements trap any remaining bugs inside the mattress and prevent new ones from colonising it. Use encasements with a secure zip and leave them in place for at least 12 months, as bed bugs can survive without feeding for extended periods.
Steam Treatment
A handheld steam cleaner producing steam at 100°C can kill bed bugs and eggs on contact. Slowly move the steamer nozzle across mattress seams, bed frame joints, headboards, and furniture. This method is chemical-free but requires patience and thoroughness.
Professional Bed Bugs Control
Bed bugs are extremely difficult to eliminate without professional help. Their small size, ability to hide in the tiniest crevices, and resistance to many over-the-counter insecticides mean that DIY methods alone rarely achieve full eradication.
Professional pest controllers use two main approaches. Chemical treatment involves applying residual insecticides to all harbourage areas — mattress seams, bed frame joints, headboard fixings, skirting boards, and furniture crevices. The products used are professional-grade and far more effective than anything available over the counter. Multiple visits are usually required to catch bugs that hatch after the initial treatment.
Heat treatment is the other option, where the room temperature is raised to around 56°C and held for several hours, killing all life stages in a single visit. Heat treatment is faster and chemical-free, but more expensive. Your pest controller will recommend the best approach based on the severity and location of your infestation.
Need professional bed bugs control? BuzzKill Pest Control offers fast, effective treatment with no call-out charge.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs
Inspect Hotel Rooms When Travelling
Before settling into a hotel room, check the mattress seams, headboard, and bedside furniture for signs of bed bugs. Keep luggage on hard surfaces or luggage racks rather than on the bed or carpet.
Be Cautious with Second-Hand Furniture
Bed bugs commonly spread via used mattresses, sofas, and bed frames. Thoroughly inspect any second-hand furniture before bringing it into your home, paying close attention to joints, seams, and hidden crevices.
Reduce Clutter Around Beds
Bed bugs hide in cracks and cluttered areas near their food source. Keep the area around your bed tidy and avoid storing items under the bed. This makes inspections easier and reduces hiding places.
Use Bed Bug Interceptors
Interceptor traps placed under bed legs can detect early infestations by trapping bugs as they climb up to feed. Check the traps weekly, especially after travelling or receiving guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see bed bugs with the naked eye?
Yes. Adult bed bugs are 4–6 mm long, roughly the size of an apple seed, and are visible to the naked eye. However, they are nocturnal and hide in cracks and crevices during the day, making them difficult to spot without a thorough inspection.
Can bed bugs live in my clothes?
Bed bugs prefer to stay near where their host sleeps, but they can hide in clothing, especially items stored near the bed or in infested drawers. Washing and tumble drying clothes at high temperatures will kill any bugs present.
How long can bed bugs survive without feeding?
Bed bugs can survive for several months without a blood meal under cool conditions. This is why simply leaving a room empty will not eliminate them, and why mattress encasements should be left on for at least 12 months.
Do bed bugs spread disease?
There is no evidence that bed bugs transmit diseases to humans. However, their bites cause itching, discomfort, and sleep disruption, and heavy scratching of bites can lead to secondary skin infections. The psychological impact of an infestation is also significant.
How much does professional bed bug treatment cost?
Professional bed bug treatment in the UK typically costs between £150 and £350 depending on the severity of the infestation and the method used (chemical spray or heat treatment). Multiple visits are usually required. BuzzKill offers competitive pricing with a full treatment guarantee.