8 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are one of the most frustrating household pests. They’re tiny, difficult to spot, and incredibly persistent. Once they find their way into your mattress, furniture, or carpets, they multiply fast — and their bites can cause itching, redness, and sleepless nights.

The good news is that you can eliminate them with patience, consistency, and the right strategy, even without complicated methods or harsh chemicals.

Here are eight easy and practical ways to get rid of bed bugs in your home — and keep them from coming back.

1. Identify Bed Bugs Early Before They Spread

The first step is recognizing the problem as soon as possible. Bed bugs hide in mattress seams, headboards, carpet edges, and tiny cracks.

Signs to look for:

Small reddish-brown bugs the size of apple seeds

Tiny white eggs or eggshells

Black dots (bed bug droppings)

Blood spots on sheets

Itchy bite clusters arranged in a line

The earlier you detect them, the easier it is to eliminate them completely.

2. Wash and Heat-Treat All Bedding and Fabrics

Heat is one of the most effective ways to kill bed bugs at all life stages.

Do this immediately:

Wash sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and clothes in hot water

Dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes

Place non-washable items (like shoes or stuffed toys) in the dryer on high heat

Bed bugs cannot survive high temperatures — heat treatment is a simple but powerful tool.

3. Vacuum Thoroughly and Frequently

Vacuuming removes live bugs, eggs, and larvae from carpets, mattresses, and furniture.

Vacuum areas that matter most:

Mattress seams and edges

Bed frame joints

Carpets and rugs

Baseboards

Sofa cushions

Behind curtains

After vacuuming, seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and throw it away outside the home to prevent reinfestation.

4. Use a Mattress and Pillow Encasement

Special zippered covers, known as encasements, trap bed bugs inside so they eventually die from starvation.

Choose encasements that are:

Bed-bug-proof

Tightly woven

High-quality with strong zippers

Keep the encasements on for 1 full year, as bed bugs can survive months without feeding. Encasing prevents new bugs from entering and makes spotting future infestations easier.

5. Use Diatomaceous Earth for Safe, Natural Pest Control

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural powder that kills bed bugs by dehydrating them. It’s chemical-free and safe when used correctly.

How to use it:

Sprinkle lightly along baseboards, mattress edges, and furniture legs

Leave it for a few days

Vacuum it thoroughly

Reapply weekly until the infestation ends

Make sure to buy food-grade DE, not industrial-grade.

6. Reduce Clutter and Eliminate Hiding Spots

Bed bugs thrive in cluttered areas where they can hide easily. Reducing clutter makes it easier to clean and prevents them from spreading.

Focus on:

Removing piles of clothes

Reducing items under the bed

Organizing shelves and drawers

Eliminating cardboard boxes (bed bugs love them!)

The fewer hiding spots available, the faster you can control the situation.

7. Steam Clean Mattresses, Carpets, and Furniture

Steam cleaners that reach temperatures above 50°C (122°F) can kill bed bugs instantly. This method is particularly effective for deep fabric surfaces where bugs hide.

Use steam on:

Mattresses

Upholstered chairs

Sofas

Carpets

Curtains

Bed frames

Move the steamer slowly to ensure heat penetrates deeply.

8. Use Bed Bug Interceptors to Cut Off Their Path

Bed bug interceptor cups placed under the legs of your bed or furniture trap bugs as they climb up or down.

Why they work:

They prevent bugs from reaching you while you sleep

They help monitor infestation size

They reduce spreading between rooms

Check interceptors weekly and replace or clean them regularly.

Why Bed Bugs Keep Coming Back — And How to Prevent It

Bed bugs are persistent because they:

Hide in tiny spaces

Reproduce quickly

Can survive long periods without feeding

To prevent reinfestation:

Inspect hotel rooms when traveling

Wash luggage clothes immediately after trips

Avoid buying used mattresses or sofas

Regularly check mattress seams and cracks

Consistency is the key. Cleaning once won’t eliminate the problem — but a steady routine over several weeks will.