1.

Confirm the Infestation

Look for tiny reddish-brown bugs (1–7 mm) in mattress seams, bed frames,
headboards, and cracks.

Search for rust-colored spots (bed bug droppings) or tiny white eggs.

You can also use a flashlight at night, as they are more active then.

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2. Deep Cleaning & Containment

Isolate the bed from walls and furniture.

Strip all bedding, curtains, and clothes — wash in hot water (60°C / 140°F) and dry
on high heat for at least 30 minutes.

Vacuum mattress seams, bed frame cracks, baseboards, and nearby furniture —
immediately seal and discard the vacuum bag.

Use bed bug–proof encasements for mattresses and pillows to trap any remaining bugs
inside.

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3. Kill Bed Bugs with Heat or Cold

Heat treatment: Steam clean mattress seams and furniture (steam at ≥60°C / 140°F
kills all stages instantly).

Cold treatment: Items that can’t be washed can be sealed in a bag and frozen at -
18°C (0°F) for 3–4 days.

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4. Apply Targeted Treatments

Insecticides: Look for EPA-registered products labeled for bed bugs (e.g., those
with pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, or desiccants like silica gel/diatomaceous
earth).

Apply to cracks, baseboards, bed frames, and behind furniture — never directly on
bedding.

Diatomaceous earth (food-grade) works by dehydrating bed bugs; dust lightly along
hiding spots.

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5. Repeat & Monitor

Use bed bug interceptors (traps) under bed legs to monitor and prevent new
infestations.

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6. Consider Professional Help

If the infestation is large or keeps returning, call a pest control service that
offers whole-room heat treatment — this can heat the space to 50–60°C for several
hours, killing bugs and eggs in one go.

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💡 Tip: Avoid moving items from an infested room without sealing them, or you risk
spreading the bugs. Also, don’t rely only on sprays — bed bugs often hide where
sprays can’t reach.