The Best Bed Bug Treatment

Buying Guide

Bed bugs are an ongoing problem across the globe. In fact, if you travel often, you’re likely to encounter them at some point. The problem is, these invasive pests tend to hide in mattresses and box springs, where they remain unseen. You often don’t even know you have bed bugs until days after you’ve been bitten, when you see a series of small red bumps that itch.

If you suspect you might have bed bugs, it’s important to get the infestation under control before it becomes worse. Remove your bedding and search your mattresses for small red or rust-colored stains. This can be a sign that bed bugs have been crushed.

Also search for signs of live bed bugs. They’re small but easy to spot. As an infestation worsens, you’ll start to see them in the seams of furniture, under loose wallpaper and wall hangings and in drawer joints. They typically stay close to where people sleep.

Getting rid of bed bugs typically requires treating your surfaces with chemicals. Some choose to hire a professional to take care of it, but you can do it yourself with the right products. Make sure you research any product you buy to keep yourself and your home’s occupants, including pets, safe before you start treating.

It’s important to note that you might not completely eradicate bed bugs with one treatment. You may find you have to treat again in a few weeks or a couple of months. Don’t get rid of any spray you don’t use. Store at room temperature in a safe location of your house so you’ll have it on hand in case you see a reemergence of bed bugs.

With some bed bug treatments, you get a concentrate that you mix with water. This ensures your solution will last a while, giving you plenty of applications. But in most cases, you’ll need to use your mixed concentrate within hours of making it and dispose of any mixture that remains.

• Over time, some bed bugs have become resistant to pyrethrins and pyrethroids. It’s important to look for treatments that can help with the most stubborn bed bugs.
• Bed linens should not be treated with chemicals. Instead, remove them and seal them in a plastic bag before laundering them and drying them at high temperatures to kill any bugs or eggs.
• Some bed bug treatments are designed to tackle a variety of pests prone to bedroom infestations, including fleas and ticks. This can help you cover all your bases.
• Don’t just treat your mattress and box frame if you feel you have bed bugs. Also check for bed bugs in your bed frame and on any bedside tables.
• Look at the application process of a bed bug spray you’re considering. Some have a wand that makes application easy while others might require you to purchase a nozzle to dispense the formula.
• You’ll likely end up with spray left over after you’ve taken care of your current infestation. Consider where you’ll store it. A smaller bottle might be more convenient.
• If you’re concerned about chemicals, look for a spray that uses natural ingredients to eliminate bed bugs. Tea tree oil and lavender both eliminate bed bugs, especially when combined with other ingredients.
• If you have a vacuum cleaner with a disposable bag, you can vacuum your bed bugs for an easy removal method. But you’ll need to seal the bag with tape, then wrap the vacuum bag in a bigger bag and seal it up tight before disposing of it to avoid another infestation.
• Some bed bug sprays are designed to continue to work long after you spray them. That means you won’t have to continue to monitor and apply. If you go this route, though, make sure you’ve chosen an odorless, safe spray that will allow you to continue to sleep in your bed while it’s doing its job.