The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a variety of helpful resources for bed bugs. Given the resurgence of bed bugs in recent decades, we wanted to share the EPA’s top ten bed bug tips for both prevention and control. These resources can be crucial for both individuals and organizations.
- Make sure you really have bed bugs, not fleas, ticks or some other insect.
- Don’t panic!
- Think through your treatment options.
- Reduce the number of hiding places.
- Regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads and any clothing that touches the floor.
- Do-it-yourself freezing may not be a reliable method for bed bug control.
- Kill bed bugs with heat, but be very careful.
- Don’t pass your bed bugs on to others.
- Reduce the number of bed bugs to reduce bites.
- Turn to the professionals, if needed.
1. Make sure you really have bed bugs, not fleas, ticks or some other insect.
You can compare your insect to the pictures on the EPA’s Identifying bed bugs web page or show it to your local extension agent (trained in pest control issues and know your local area).
2. Don’t panic!
Getting rid of bed bugs can be challenging, but it’s definitely possible. There’s no need to discard all of your belongings—most can be treated and saved. In fact, throwing items away can be costly, might spread bed bugs to others, and can add unnecessary stress.
3. Think through your treatment options.
Take a thorough approach when dealing with bed bugs and explore other methods first. Integrated pest management (IPM) techniques can help reduce bed bug populations and minimize pesticide exposure. If pesticides become necessary, be sure to follow the label instructions carefully or consider hiring a professional. Resources are available to guide you through treatment options.
4. Reduce the number of hiding places.
A cluttered home offers more hiding spots for bed bugs, making it harder to find and treat them. If bed bugs are in your mattress, using bed bug-proof covers (encasements) on your mattress and box spring can help prevent them from reaching you while you sleep. Keep the encasements on for at least a year. Make sure to choose a product that’s been tested for bed bugs and is durable enough to last the entire year without tearing.
5. Regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads and any clothing that touches the floor.
This helps reduce the bed bug population. Bed bugs and their eggs can hide in laundry baskets or hampers, so be sure to clean them when doing your laundry.
6. Do-it-yourself freezing may not be a reliable method for bed bug control.
Freezing can kill bed bugs, but the temperature needs to stay extremely low for an extended period. Household freezers may not be cold enough, so it’s important to use a thermometer to ensure the correct temperature. While placing items outdoors in freezing weather might work, several factors can influence the effectiveness of this method.
7. Kill bed bugs with heat, but be very careful.
Turning up the thermostat or using space heaters won’t effectively eliminate bed bugs. Successful heat treatment requires specialized equipment and extremely high temperatures. Using black plastic bags left in the sun might kill bed bugs in luggage or small items, but only if they get hot enough. Bed bugs die when their body temperature reaches 45°C (113°F), so the room or container must be even hotter to ensure the heat penetrates all hiding spots.
8. Don’t pass your bed bugs on to others.
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers. If you need to dispose of a mattress or furniture infested with bed bugs, be sure to damage it—such as slashing it—to prevent anyone else from taking it and spreading the infestation.
9. Reduce the number of bed bugs to reduce bites.
Thorough vacuuming can help eliminate some bed bugs. Be sure to vacuum rugs, floors, upholstered furniture, bed frames, under beds, around bed legs, and all cracks and crevices in the room. After each use, replace the vacuum bag to prevent bed bugs from escaping. Seal the used bag in a plastic bag and dispose of it in an outdoor garbage bin.
10. Turn to the professionals, if needed.
Hiring a skilled and reputable pest control professional can greatly improve your chances of successfully eliminating bed bugs. If you choose to hire an expert, make sure it’s a company with a solid reputation and request that they use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach. For advice on hiring pest control companies, you can contact your state’s pesticide agency. The EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety also offers helpful information on IPM methods, selecting a pest control company, safe pesticide use, and emergency guidelines.
To download this resource as a PDF, click here. Prevent, identify, and treat bed bug infestations using EPA’s step-by-step guides, based on IPM principles at https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs.
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