Bed Bug Pest Control

Got bed bugs? Don't Panic. Your bed bug pest control answers are all right here. Whether you do it yourself or hire an exterminator, there are things you need to know. So let's get started!

If you're crunched for time... Bed Bug Pest Control DOs and DON'Ts is a good place to start. It covers the basics - including the one thing you might be tempted to do that will definitely make matters worse.

NOTE: If you don't have evidence of a bed bug infestation, it's better to start in the bed bug detection section. Just because you have bites, doesn't mean you have bedbugs. Rule #1 of pest control is to know what you're dealing with...

Okay, so you have bedbugs and need to get rid of them.  First thing first. Let's clear up a dangerous misconception...


Bed Bug Pest Control is Not a One-Shot Deal

The truth is there is no secret home remedy, no one-step solution, and no silver bullet that gets rid of bed bugs. You should run away fast from any product that makes that claim. Sorry folks, that's just reality. Besides that, there's a lot of bad (even dangerous) information floating around out there – especially on YouTube.

I understand that you're desperate to get rid of them now. Believe me, I've been there myself. But so many things can make the situation so much worse. So please, take the time to get educated - before you do anything.

Most importantly, don't use a bed bug fogger (bug bomb) under any circumstances! If you are at all tempted to go this route, please read 3 reasons they don't work and 5 ways they make harder to get rid of bed bugs. In fact, I suggest you read it anyway. Then educate everyone you know. 


IPM is the key to winning the bed bug battle

To be successful at getting rid of bed bugs you are going to have to take an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. That means using a number of methods and tools together to get the job done in a way that poses the least risk to you.

Which tools and methods? Well, that depends on your situation: the level of infestation you're dealing with, whether you have children/pets, and what your budget looks like. Not to mention any health and environmental concerns you may have about using certain chemicals...

Is your head starting to spin? I know mine was at about this stage of our bed bug battle. Fear not. It's not as mind boggling as you may think. Just to ease your mind, here's a quick run down of how an IPM bed bug control action plan works...


Effective Bed Bug Pest Control Requires Knowing Your Options

The good news is there are plenty of non-chemical tools and techniques you should employ including: de-cluttering your living space to eliminate bed bug hiding places, vacuuming to remove bed bugs, and washing infested bedding and clothing and drying them on high heat to kill bed bugs and their eggs. 

By far, the best thing you can do is to protect your bed with special mattress, box spring and pillow encasements designed (and tested) specifically for bed bugs. 

And there are other non-chemical options methods of killing bed bugs too. These include steam treatments and whole house heat treatments. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Whole house heat treatment is never a DIY project – not unless you don't care about serious injury or burning your house down. Not kidding!

Of course there are also chemical pesticide treatments you could consider. (Hint: NOT what's often found at Walmart or Home Depot)

Before you use any pesticides, you need to know:

  • what it is
  • how it works
  • what its limitations are
  • how to properly apply it (if you're doing it yourself) 
  • what safety issues you need to take into consideration
  • what kind of protective gear you might need to use it

Your success will depend on putting these various tools and techniques together in an integrated pest management plan.  Here's how to do it step-by-step...

And remember, preventing an infestation in the first place is the best bed bug pest control method of all. Once you are bed bug-free, you need to learn how to keep it that way!


An Exterminator is a good choice... if you pick the right one

I wholeheartedly recommend using an exterminator if you can find any way to afford that. In the long run, it will probably save you time and money, not to mention some sleepless nights. But...and this is a BIG but...bed bugs are a relatively new problem (at least in recent history) and many exterminators are not well trained or experienced with this particular pest. 

Getting rid of bed bugs is different that most other insects and most of the strategies that work on other bugs don't work on bedbugs. So you need to find the right pest control specialist to get the job done right - especially if you're shelling out big bucks for their services. Learn how in the Exterminator section.


Video:  How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

This video from the University of Maryland is a good introduction to the bed bug pest control concepts that will be covered in the section of the site. 

This video is shared via our Bed Bug Pest Control Video Playlist on the Bed Bug Answers Channel on YouTube. Visit and like us on YouTube! 



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