Bed bug exterminators

First, make sure it is bed bugs

EPA’s first tip is to make sure you really have bed bugs, not fleas, ticks or other insects (EPA). Bites alone do not tell you: CDC notes that bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop in some people. Look instead for the bugs themselves, shed skins, rusty-coloured blood spots on mattresses or nearby furniture, and a sweet musty odour (CDC).

Check the seams and tags of the mattress and box spring, the headboard, bed frame joints, and furniture beside the bed. Keep a specimen in a sealed bag or on clear tape — it makes identification certain.

CDC says bed bugs are not known to spread diseases to people. They are a miserable problem, not a medical emergency.

How bed bugs are treated

• Heat treatment raises a room to a temperature that kills all life stages. EPA puts the lethal temperature at 113°F (45°C), and notes that special equipment and very high temperatures are necessary for successful heat treatment — this is not something a space heater does.
• Chemical treatment applies products to cracks, crevices, furniture and the bed, usually over two or more visits weeks apart, because eggs can survive the first round.
• Most companies combine methods: heat or steam for the bed and furniture, residual products for cracks and voids, mattress encasements, and follow-up inspections.

Foggers (“bug bombs”) are not a solution on their own. EPA says foggers should not be the sole source of bed bug control, because the spray does not reach the cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide, and that using too much can cause an explosion (EPA).

Preparing for treatment

Your company will give you its own checklist — follow it, because preparation is part of the treatment. It usually includes:

• Washing and drying bedding and clothes on high heat, then bagging them.
• Reducing clutter, especially around beds and sofas, without carrying items to other rooms unbagged.
• Vacuuming, then sealing and discarding the vacuum bag outside.
• Moving furniture away from walls so it can be reached.
• Arranging for children and pets to be out during and after treatment, for as long as the company says.

In an apartment, tell the landlord or manager. Bed bugs move between units, and neighbouring units usually need inspecting too.

How to choose a bed bug exterminator

EPA notes that hiring an experienced, responsible pest control professional can increase your chance of success. Before you hire:

• Check the licence. EPA’s guide notes that most state or local agencies license pest control operators, and advises making sure the operator’s licence is current where your state requires one (EPA). Your state’s department of agriculture usually keeps the register.
• Ask how they confirm bed bugs before treating, and what method they will use and why.
• Ask how many visits are included, and when the follow-up inspection is.
• Ask what the guarantee covers and how long it lasts — and what you must do to keep it.
• Ask for proof of liability insurance, especially for heat treatment.
• Be wary of a quote given over the phone without an inspection.

What affects the cost

• How many rooms are affected, and the size of the home.
• Method: whole-room heat, chemical, or a combination.
• How many follow-up visits are included.
• Furniture and mattress encasements, and whether anything needs replacing.
• Multi-unit buildings, where adjoining units need inspecting.

Bed Bugs cost guide: the factors pros price on →

DIY or pro?

Some steps are yours whoever treats: hot washing and drying, encasing mattresses, vacuuming, cutting clutter. A small, early problem can sometimes be handled with careful non-chemical methods. If you use a pesticide, EPA says to follow label directions or hire a professional. For an established infestation, a professional is usually the faster route.

Common questions

How do I know if I have bed bugs?

Look for live bugs, shed skins, rusty-coloured spots on mattresses and furniture, and a sweet musty odour (CDC). Bites alone are not proof — they can take up to 14 days to develop in some people.

How long does it take to get rid of bed bugs?

Heat can treat a room in a single visit; chemical treatment usually needs two or more visits weeks apart. Either way, expect a follow-up inspection.

Do bed bugs spread disease?

CDC says bed bugs are not known to spread diseases to people.

Can I treat bed bugs myself?

Early, small problems sometimes can be, with careful non-chemical methods. EPA notes that an experienced professional increases your chance of success, and that foggers should not be the only method.

Do bug bombs work on bed bugs?

Not on their own. EPA says foggers should not be the sole source of bed bug control because they do not reach where bed bugs hide.

Do I need to throw out my mattress?

Usually not. Treatment plus a bed bug–proof encasement is the common approach. Ask your exterminator.

How hot does it have to be to kill bed bugs?

EPA puts it at 113°F (45°C). Getting every hiding place in a room that hot is why heat treatment needs professional equipment.

Sources

Safety and standards advice on this page comes from these publishers. Dates are the ones each page shows.

• US EPA, Top Ten Tips to Prevent or Control Bed Bugs (last updated August 19, 2026)
• US EPA, Should I Use a Fogger? (last updated September 8, 2026)
• CDC, About Bed Bugs (last updated April 26, 2024)
• US EPA, Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety (August 2017)