Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals while they sleep. They are ectoparasites, meaning they live outside of their host. It is important to get rid of bed bugs to prevent bed bug bites. Bed bugs can survive for many months without a blood meal. When they bite, the bugs administer an anesthetic that prevents you from feeling the bite and waking up during feeding. Because of this, you may not realize you have bed bugs until you notice their bites on your skin.

Read on to learn how to get rid of bed bugs and how to recognize a bed bug infestation.

As long as there is not a significant infestation, bed bugs can be relatively easy to remove without the help of a professional. Here are some ways you can prevent an infestation if you notice signs that bed bugs may be present.

Releasing steam around the affected space can help force the bugs out of hiding places. Surface temperatures around 160–180°F (71–82°C) will kill the bugs.

Wash and dry your clothes and bedding on high heat. First, wash your clothes and bedding with detergent and hot water. Then, dry them on the highest possible heat setting on your dryer.

Target the bugs with hot air from a blow-dryer on a low airflow setting to coax them out of cracks and crevices. The heat should kill the bugs after about 30 seconds of continuous contact.

Freeze bedding, clothes, or other items that may have bed bugs. While high heat can kill bed bugs, so can freezing them. Items you can freeze to get rid of bed bugs include:

Make sure that you do not freeze bed bugs near food items.

Find the bed bugs’ line of travel and apply double-sided tape. The bugs will stick to the tape when they try to crawl or climb. You can then trap and dispose of them.

According to researchers from Rutgers University, dry ice can be used to trap bed bugs by releasing carbon dioxide, which attracts the insects. You can make a trap by filling an insulated jug with the dry ice and lightly covering the area around the base with talc powder. The powder will prevent the bed bugs from escaping.

Spray vinegar directly on the bed bugs. Vinegar contains an acetic acid that is harmful to their nervous system.

According to a study from the Entomological Society of America, two oil-based products, Bed Bug Patrol and EcoRaider, killed 90% of bed bugs in a trial. Oils used in these products include:

If you want to make an essential oil spray, try a mixture of lavender oil, peppermint oil, and water in a spray bottle.

Scrub the seams of mattresses or other furniture items with a stiff brush. This can remove any eggs or bugs that might be hiding in crevices.

Bed bugs thrive in clutter. Removing clutter can make them easier to spot and get rid of.

When moving clutter, it is important to not move items to a non-infested area to avoid spreading the bugs.

Vacuuming regularly can help trap bed bugs. Focus on spaces where they might live or hide. Once you have vacuumed, seal the vacuum bag inside a trash bag and then take the trash outside of your home.

Desiccants and insecticides can help you get rid of bed bugs. However, desiccants may be more effective because these pests have evolved a resistance to many insecticides.

Desiccants work by absorbing lipids from the bed bug’s cuticle, which causes them to dehydrate and dry out.

You can use silica gel as a bed bug desiccant. Try sprinkling some on surfaces where you notice signs of bed bugs.

If you decide to use insecticides, look for products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are specifically marked for use with bed bugs. These fall under seven chemical classes including:

If you have tried some or all of the strategies in this article but are still seeing signs of bed bugs, consider hiring a professional pest control company. They have more access to equipment and treatments, and they will also be better able to determine whether you are dealing with a bed bug infestation or something else.

Professionals may use a combination of pesticides, chemicals, and heat treatments to manage more severe infestations. Heat treatments involve special equipment that applies whole room heat, heating up an entire area to 135–145°F (57–63°C). This is hot enough to kill any bed bugs.

Bed bugs can easily hide in crevices and usually come out at night. Since they do not fly, they must hide close to their food source, which may mean staying close to your bed.

Bed bugs are experts at latching onto belongings until they encounter furniture, clothes, or beds in which they can live and breed.

Common places you might find bed bugs include:

Learn more about the risks associated with bed bug bites.

Bed bugs can easily be misidentified, as they may resemble other insects. Accurate identification is the first step to properly removing them.

Here are things to look for to help you distinguish bed bugs from other pests. Bed bugs:

It can be hard to distinguish bed bugs from similar insects. Some other signs you may be dealing with bed bugs include:

If you have bed bug bites, find out when you should contact a doctor.

Bed bugs can be difficult to detect, but there are many strategies you can use to manage their spread and prevent them from returning.

If you are unable to remove bed bugs using natural remedies, desiccants, or insecticides, you can resolve an infestation by hiring a professional pest control company.

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