How To Get Rid Of Bedbugs: A Complete, Evidence‑Based Guide

Bedbugs are one of the most persistent household pests, and effective control requires a combination of inspection, physical removal, and carefully chosen treatments. The guidance below is based on up‑to‑date information from reputable public‑health, university, and pest‑management sources, with each factual claim backed by external references.

1. How To Identify A Bedbug Problem

Correct identification comes before any attempt to get rid of bedbugs.

1.1 What bedbugs look like

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), common bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) have these features:

Adult bedbugs are about the size of an apple seed, 5–7 mm long, brown, and have a flat, oval body that becomes more elongated and reddish after feeding on blood
(EPA – Bed Bugs: Appearance).
Nymphs (young bedbugs) are smaller, translucent or whitish‑yellow, and may be almost invisible if unfed
(EPA – Bed Bugs: Appearance).
Eggs are tiny (about 1 mm), white, and often tucked into crevices
(University of Kentucky Entomology – Bed Bugs).

1.2 Signs of bedbugs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists common evidence of bedbugs, including:

Itchy bite marks on skin, often in a line or cluster, though reactions vary from no reaction to prominent welts
(CDC – Bed Bugs FAQs).
Dark spots or stains (bedbug excrement) on sheets, mattresses, or walls.
Reddish stains from crushed bugs.
Shed skins and eggshells in hiding spots like mattress seams, bed frames, and nearby furniture
(CDC – Bed Bugs FAQs).

2. Where Bedbugs Hide

Knowing where bedbugs hide is essential to any “how to get rid of bedbugs” strategy.

The EPA notes that bedbugs typically hide within a few feet of where people sleep, including:

Mattress seams and tags
Box springs and bed frames
Headboards and nearby cracks or crevices
Behind baseboards, pictures, electrical outlet plates, and in furniture joints
(EPA – Where Bed Bugs Hide).

The University of Minnesota Extension adds that heavy infestations can spread to:

Sofas and upholstered chairs
Luggage and backpacks
Clothing and clutter around the bed
(University of Minnesota Extension – Let’s Beat the Bed Bug).

3. Step‑By‑Step: How To Get Rid Of Bedbugs

Experts consistently recommend Integrated Pest Management (IPM): a combination of inspection, cleanup, physical removal, and, when necessary, careful insecticide use.

3.1 Confirm the infestation

The EPA and CDC both stress verifying that you truly have bedbugs before treating:

Use a flashlight and magnifying glass to inspect mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and nearby furniture for live bugs, shed skins, eggs, and fecal spots
(EPA – How to Find Bed Bugs).
Consider using interceptor traps under bed legs to catch bugs and help confirm activity
(University of Kentucky – Bed Bugs: Practical Advice).

If you are unsure, the CDC recommends having a pest‑management professional or local extension service identify a specimen
(CDC – Bed Bugs FAQs).

3.2 Reduce clutter and isolate the bed

The University of Minnesota Extension and EPA highlight decluttering and bed isolation as critical non‑chemical steps:

Reduce clutter around beds and sofas to eliminate hiding places and make treatment easier
(University of Minnesota Extension – Bed Bugs).
Move the bed away from walls and furniture so it does not touch any other object.
Ensure bedding does not touch the floor, to limit bedbugs’ access routes
(EPA – Controlling Bed Bugs Using Integrated Pest Management).

You can place approved interceptor devices under bed legs to trap bugs attempting to climb up
(University of Kentucky – Bed Bugs).

3.3 Launder and heat‑treat fabrics

Heat is one of the most effective, chemical‑free ways to kill bedbugs and their eggs.

The EPA advises washing infested bedding, clothing, and other washable items in hot water and drying them on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes
(EPA – Do‑It‑Yourself Bed Bug Control).
Cornell University’s Integrated Pest Management program recommends placing dry items directly into a hot dryer (medium to high setting) for at least 30 minutes to kill all life stages
(Cornell University IPM – Bed Bugs).

Items that cannot be washed can sometimes be treated by:

Dry heat in a dryer or professional heat chamber (when safe for the item)
Cold treatment: the University of Minnesota Extension notes that freezing at 0°F (-18°C) or below for at least 4 days can kill bedbugs, provided the entire object reaches this temperature
(University of Minnesota Extension – Let’s Beat the Bed Bug).

Always check manufacturer labels before heat or cold treatment.

3.4 Vacuuming and physical removal

The EPA and university extensions emphasize physical removal:

Use a HEPA‑equipped vacuum to thoroughly vacuum mattresses (especially seams), box springs, bed frames, baseboards, and flooring near sleeping areas
(EPA – Do‑It‑Yourself Bed Bug Control).
Immediately seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and dispose of it outside, or clean the canister contents into a sealed bag.
Scrub mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture joints with a stiff brush to dislodge eggs before vacuuming
(University of Kentucky – Bed Bugs).

Physical removal alone rarely eliminates an established infestation but significantly reduces populations and improves the effectiveness of other methods.

3.5 Mattress and box‑spring encasements

The EPA and University of Kentucky recommend using specially designed bedbug‑proof encasements:

Place certified bedbug‑proof encasements on mattresses and box springs to trap any remaining bedbugs inside and prevent new ones from entering.
Keep encasements on for at least one year, as bedbugs can survive for many months without feeding
(University of Kentucky – Bed Bugs;
EPA – Encasements).

Encasements also simplify future inspections because they remove many hiding places on mattress surfaces.

3.6 When and how to use insecticides

Most expert sources stress that insecticides should be only one part of how you get rid of bedbugs, and they must be used carefully.

The EPA and CDC advise:

Consider non‑chemical methods first, especially for light infestations.
If insecticides are used, choose products specifically labeled for bedbugs and follow label directions exactly
(EPA – Do‑It‑Yourself Bed Bug Control;
CDC – Bed Bugs FAQs).

Common treatment options used by professionals and homeowners (where legal and appropriate) include:

Residual insecticide sprays (e.g., certain pyrethroids or other registered actives) applied to cracks, crevices, and bed frames—never to mattresses or bedding unless the label explicitly allows it
(EPA – Registered Bed Bug Products).
Dust formulations (such as silica or diatomaceous earth labeled for indoor/insect use) applied in wall voids, under baseboards, and inside furniture crevices. These work by damaging the insects’ outer protective layer
(Cornell University IPM – Bed Bugs).

Warnings from public‑health authorities:

The CDC and EPA reported numerous health incidents from misuse of insecticides against bedbugs, including over‑application and using outdoor‑only products indoors
(CDC – Illnesses Associated with Insecticides Used to Control Bed Bugs).
Never use “bug bombs” or total‑release foggers for bedbugs, as the EPA notes they are generally ineffective for this pest and can disperse bedbugs further, plus pose safety risks when misused
(EPA – Do‑It‑Yourself Bed Bug Control).

Because bedbugs can develop resistance to some insecticides, the University of Kentucky recommends rotating or combining methods and not relying on a single product type
(University of Kentucky – Bed Bugs).

3.7 Professional extermination and heat treatments

For moderate to severe infestations, many authoritative sources recommend hiring a licensed pest‑management professional.

The EPA notes that professional‑grade whole‑room heat treatments can be very effective: they raise room temperatures to levels lethal to bedbugs (often above 120°F / ~49°C) and require specialized equipment and monitoring
(EPA – Controlling Bed Bugs Using Integrated Pest Management).
The University of Minnesota Extension describes commercial heat treatments where rooms are heated to about 135–145°F (57–63°C) for several hours, ensuring that bedbugs and eggs are exposed to lethal temperatures for long enough
(University of Minnesota Extension – Using Heat to Kill Bed Bugs).

Professional exterminators can also:

Perform detailed inspections (often with trained bedbug detection dogs in some markets).
Use combinations of heat, vacuuming, encasements, targeted insecticides, and follow‑up visits to ensure control
(Cornell University IPM – Bed Bugs).

4. How Long It Takes To Get Rid Of Bedbugs

The time needed depends on the size of the infestation and the thoroughness of treatment.

The University of Kentucky and University of Minnesota Extension indicate:

Small, newly introduced infestations might be controlled in a few weeks with aggressive, integrated measures.
Larger, established infestations often require multiple treatments over weeks to months, with repeated inspections and re‑treatments as needed
(University of Kentucky – Bed Bugs;
University of Minnesota Extension – Let’s Beat the Bed Bug).

Bedbugs can survive months without feeding, so follow‑up monitoring is essential even after you stop seeing them.

5. Preventing Bedbugs From Coming Back

Once you’ve learned how to get rid of bedbugs, prevention is the next priority.

5.1 Travel and luggage precautions

The CDC and EPA suggest these steps when traveling:

Inspect hotel mattresses, headboards, and furniture seams for live bugs, stains, or shed skins before settling in
(CDC – Bed Bugs FAQs;
EPA – Bed Bug Travelers Tips).
Keep luggage on luggage racks away from beds and walls.
On returning home, unpack directly into the washer/dryer, and heat‑treat travel clothing and soft items.

5.2 Second‑hand furniture and items

The EPA and University of Minnesota Extension warn that used furniture is a major source of new infestations:

Avoid picking up furniture or mattresses left on the curb.
Carefully inspect and, when possible, treat second‑hand items (heat, vacuuming, or professional inspection) before bringing them indoors
(EPA – Bed Bug Prevention;
University of Minnesota Extension – Let’s Beat the Bed Bug).

5.3 Ongoing monitoring

Use interceptor traps under bed legs and periodically inspect encasements, bed frames, and surrounding areas
(University of Kentucky – Bed Bugs).
After a known infestation, continue monitoring for several months, as some bugs or eggs can be missed during initial treatments.

6. Health and Safety Considerations

6.1 Bedbug bites and health risks

The CDC notes that:

Bedbugs are not known to spread disease to humans, but their bites can cause itching, allergic reactions, and secondary infections from scratching
(CDC – Bed Bugs FAQs).
Some individuals may experience severe allergic reactions, requiring medical care
(CDC – Bed Bugs FAQs).

To manage bites:

Keep skin clean, avoid scratching, and use over‑the‑counter anti‑itch creams or oral antihistamines as recommended by a healthcare provider
(CDC – Bed Bug Bites).

6.2 Safe use of chemicals

The EPA and CDC emphasize:

Always read and follow label directions for any pesticide.
Never use products intended for outdoor or agricultural use indoors for bedbugs.
Keep children, pregnant people, and pets away from treated areas until products have dried and labels indicate it is safe
(EPA – Do‑It‑Yourself Bed Bug Control;
CDC – Insecticide‑Related Illnesses).

If you suspect pesticide poisoning, the CDC directs you to contact your local poison center or emergency services immediately
(CDC – Poisoning Information).

7. Summary: Key Principles For How To Get Rid Of Bedbugs

Based on guidance from the EPA, CDC, and leading university extension services, the most effective, evidence‑based approach to get rid of bedbugs includes:

Confirm the infestation with careful inspection and, if needed, professional identification
(EPA – How to Find Bed Bugs).
Declutter and isolate sleeping areas, keeping beds away from walls and using interceptors.
Use heat and laundering: wash and dry items on high heat; consider freezing for some objects
(EPA – Do‑It‑Yourself Bed Bug Control;
University of Minnesota Extension – Using Heat and Cold).
Vacuum and physically remove bugs and eggs; use stiff brushes on seams and cracks.
Install mattress and box‑spring encasements to trap remaining bugs and simplify inspection
(University of Kentucky – Bed Bugs).
Use insecticides carefully and selectively, relying only on EPA‑registered products labeled for bedbugs, and strictly following instructions
(EPA – Bed Bug Products).
For larger infestations, hire a licensed pest‑management professional, especially for whole‑room heat or complex structural treatments
(EPA – Controlling Bed Bugs Using IPM).
Prevent re‑infestation with travel precautions, careful inspection of second‑hand items, and ongoing monitoring
(EPA – Bed Bug Prevention).

By combining these methods, you can develop a thorough, practical plan for how to get rid of bedbugs and keep them from returning, grounded in the best available public‑health and pest‑management research.

How To Get Rid Of Bedbugs