One of the most common questions we get is, "How to Kill Bed Bugs?" At ThermoPest, we’re here to provide the answer.
Bed bugs keeping you up at night? You’re not alone.
These tiny pests can turn any home or business into a nightmare. Getting rid of bed bugs can be challenging, even for pest control professionals. Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices that are hard to reach, from loose wallpaper and mattresses to light sockets and electrical outlets. To make exterminations even harder, these little pests are nocturnal insects, meaning they’re typically active at night.
When dealing with an infestation, it’s important to use the right treatment methods, whether that means non-chemical methods like heat treatment or professional extermination by a pest control company.
In order to pick the best extermination method, you need to make sure you actually have a bed bug problem. Here’s what to look for:
Bedbug bites leave small red welts, often in a line of clusters. These bites can be itchy and sometimes cause painful swelling. On black or brown skin, these bites can also appear purple and be harder to see. While these bites tend to be minor, some can transmit disease or infections. If you’re struggling with bug bites, put a damp cloth over the site. Other treatments might include antihistamines and mild steroids. (Learn more about what bed bug bites look like).
Bed bugs have either dark yellow or brown skin, which is shredded by adult bed bugs. Full-grown bed bugs are oval-shaped, are oval-shaped, reddish-brown insects that are wingless and flat. They’re small in size, around 1/4 to 3/8 inch long.
Bed bug eggs are tiny, oval-shaped, and pearly white, measuring about 1mm—roughly the size of a pinhead. They are often laid in clusters and tucked away in hiding places like loose wallpaper, behind picture frames, and even in electrics. The eggs have a sticky coating, helping them adhere to surfaces and making them difficult to remove.
Once the eggs hatch, they become nymphs, or young bed bugs, that are almost transparent until they start feeding on blood. As they grow, they shed their white skin shells multiple times before reaching adulthood. Spotting these eggs or shredded skin is a clear sign of an active infestation, meaning bed bugs are reproducing and spreading.
When on the hunt for these little pests, be sure to inspect inside bed frames, box springs, wall hangings, loose wallpaper, and small cracks. These unwanted guests are so tiny that you’ll probably need a magnifying glass and flashlight. Don’t forget: an infested room can also have infested items, like clothing, other furniture, and electrical outlets.
If you’re still not sure if you have a bed bug problem, try out a bed bug monitor. We also offer a free identification service for both homes and businesses.
Once you’ve confirmed you have bed bugs, it’s time to start extermination. Here are some at-home pest control methods to try at home: Be aware its almost impossible to kill all the bed bugs using home methods and it requires a professional treatment. Speak with our expert bed bug team today.
If you’re not a fan of chemical insecticides, these methods are for you:
Heat treatment is the most effective way to do this, especially with professional treatments using specialist equipment. Trying heat treatment at home is simple. Give all affected clothing and bedding in a hot wash (hot water should be at least 60 degrees Celsius), and be sure to dry your clothes in the highest hot setting for at least 30 minutes. Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a washer and tumbler, you can freeze these tiny intruders. The infested items should be placed in a sealed bag before freezing. While effective, this method can take a few months to fully kill them.
Another non-chemical treatment is diatomaceous earth – a fine powder made from the fossils of small aquatic organisms called diatoms. Diatomaceous earth is irresistible to the bugs and dehydrates them when applied to their hiding spots. This method can also take a few months to work. Be sure to use only products registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as Pesticides. Pool or food-grade diatomaceous earth can also harm you when breathed in.
Other methods include traps, bed bug interceptors, and good cleaning. Place bedbug interceptors and sticky traps under each leg of the bed to make surviving bedbugs easier to spot. Bedbugs will be trapped by these gadgets before they can climb into your bed. For vermin, currently, place bedbug-proof covers over your box spring and mattress in your bed and zip them all the way up. If you trap bedbugs inside your mattress with a plastic bag, they will eventually die, and new ones won’t be able to get in or out. An additional benefit of these protective covers is saving yourself from bed bug bites while you deal with your infestation.
While at-home solutions may work to knock down small numbers of bed bugs. You will most likely require chemical and heat extermination from a professional pest control company. If you do opt for chemical extermination methods, be sure to read the label carefully before using products at home.
A bug bomb, or fogger, is great for bed bug control. It releases a pesticide mist into the air all at once in the affected area. However, they are not safe for children and pets and might not get to all the nooks and crates the bugs are hiding in. It would be more effective to use a plastic bag, for example, to keep bed bugs trapped inside a mattress. Be sure to purchase chemicals from expert pest controller companies that use EPA-approved insecticides.
Chemicals can be dangerous, and there have been known cases of people dying after sleeping in beds that have been chemically treated. It is highly advised that you seek professional help.
Many people are hesitant to reach out to a professional exterminator, given the stigma around having bed bugs. Remember, there is no shame in having these unwanted visitors. In fact, according to the British Pest Control Association, bed bugs have adapted to all sorts of human environments and are found in clean areas.
Depending on the infested areas, ThermoPest can eliminate all bed bugs in just one visit. Our professional treatments use high-heat technology, effectively eradicating bed bugs without the need for multiple visits.
Thanks to advances in technology, heat treatment is now the most effective way to get rid of bed bugs for good. This method uses specialist equipment to raise the temperature of the entire room to a level that kills all the bugs, including their eggs, in just one treatment. Unlike sprays, heat reaches every hiding place, ensuring nothing is left behind.
The key to successful bed bug extermination is catching the problem early and making sure the infestation is completely wiped out.
Ready to get some bed bug control? Our team is happy to discuss options with you.
Yes, bed bugs are small but visible—though they are very good at flattening themselves and hiding. Once fully grown, the bugs are red/ brown and measure around 4-5mm. Can you see bed bugs?
Yes, bed bugs are small but definitely visible—though they’re experts at flattening themselves into tiny cracks and crevices. A fully grown bed bug is reddish-brown and about 4–5mm in size, roughly the shape of an apple seed. If you’re spotting live bed bugs, it could mean there’s a serious infestation that needs urgent attention. What causes bed bugs?
In the early stages, bed bugs can be tricky to spot. Most people first notice bites, often in clusters, leading to itching and irritation. Pest control professionals can identify droppings, shed skins, and even detect the strong, sweet odour that comes from a well-established bed bug infestation. If you think you might have bed bugs, it’s best to act fast before the problem spreads. What are the signs that I have bed bugs?
Getting rid of bed bugs isn’t easy—they’re nocturnal and brilliant at hiding in small cracks, bed frames, and other furniture. If you’re seeing them in the open, it usually means the infestation is serious. The most effective way to kill bed bugs is through a professional bed bug treatment, such as heat treatment, which eliminates them in one go by raising the temperature in an infested room to a lethal level. How do I kill bed bugs?
To keep bed bugs under control, be sure to vacuum your mattress, carpet, curtains and upholstered furniture frequently. Also, consider removing clutter from your home or business to reduce the hiding places for bed bugs. Be sure to caulk cracks and tape over electrical outlets. You want to seal cracks to ensure all the bugs are taken care of. After you’re extermination, consider putting a plastic bag around your mattress to prevent future visitors. A certified expert pest controller can also help you identify infested areas and recommend other treatments if bed bugs persist. How to prevent bed bugs
Bed bugs stay close to their host and typically bite at night while you’re asleep. They prefer areas of exposed skin, so bites often appear on the arms, neck, shoulders, face, and legs. Unlike mosquitoes, bed bugs bite in clusters or lines, which can cause itching, redness, and irritation.
They get their name because they hide in and around beds, including mattresses, pillows, box springs, beds, and upholstery. Since they’re tiny and flat, they squeeze into small cracks and crevices, making them hard to spot. If you’re waking up with unexplained bites, it could be a sign of a bed bug infestation that needs urgent attention. Where do bed bugs bite?
Bed bugs can be found anywhere people gather—homes, hotels, schools, offices, public transport, and even retail stores. According to the British Pest Control Association, they’re experts at hitching a ride on clothing, luggage, and furniture, which is why travel and second-hand items are common sources of infestations. If you need a bed bug exterminator near you, get in touch with our team today. Where do bed bugs come from?
Heat treatment is the most effective way to eliminate bed bugs. Unlike sprays, it doesn’t just kill adult bed bugs—it also destroys eggs and nymphs, stopping the infestation at every stage of the life cycle. By raising the infested area to a temperature that bed bugs can’t survive, you can rest assured they’re gone for good. How to get rid of bed bugs?
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