How Do You Get Rid of Bed Bugs Quickly at Home?

Waking up with itchy bites or spotting tiny rust-colored stains on your sheets can be the first sign of a bed bug problem. These small pests are experts at hiding and multiplying fast, which makes getting rid of them challenging for homeowners. While professional help is always the most effective solution, there are a few things you can do to get rid of bed bugs quickly at home before the situation worsens.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best methods to eliminate bed bugs fast, minimize their spread, and prevent them from returning.

Step 1: Identify the Infestation

The first step to eliminating bed bugs quickly is confirming their presence. Bed bugs are small, flat, and reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed. They usually hide in seams of mattresses, box springs, furniture cracks, and behind headboards.

Look for these signs:

• Tiny dark spots (bed bug droppings) on bedding or mattresses
  
  
• Small, itchy bites in clusters or lines on your skin
  
  
• Shed exoskeletons or tiny white eggs
  
  
• A sweet, musty odor in heavily infested rooms
  
  

Once you’ve identified bed bugs, it’s important to act immediately.

Step 2: Deep Clean and Vacuum Thoroughly

Bed bugs can hide anywhere, so a thorough cleaning is your best starting point. Wash all bedding, linens, curtains, and clothing in hot water and dry them on the highest setting for at least 30 minutes. Heat kills bed bugs and their eggs.



Next, vacuum your mattress, bed frame, baseboards, carpets, and furniture thoroughly. Dispose of the vacuum bag or clean the canister outside immediately to avoid re-infestation.

Step 3: Use Heat to Kill Bed Bugs

Heat is one of the fastest and most effective ways to kill bed bugs at home. You can use:

• A clothes dryer: Place infested fabrics on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
  
  
• Steam cleaners: Apply steam to mattresses, couches, and cracks in furniture. Steam must reach at least 120°F to be effective.
  
  
• Room heating: Bed bugs can’t survive temperatures above 120°F, so raising room temperatures using portable heaters can help, though it’s best done carefully to avoid safety risks.
  
  

Professional heat treatments, like those offered by Protective Pest Management, are even more effective because they treat the entire home evenly and reach deep hiding spots that DIY methods can miss.

Step 4: Seal and Declutter

Clutter gives bed bugs more places to hide. Reduce hiding spots by sealing cracks in walls, tightening loose wallpaper, and repairing bed frames or baseboards. Place infested items that can’t be washed (like shoes or stuffed animals) in sealed plastic bags and leave them in direct sunlight or in a car on a hot day to kill the bugs with heat.

Step 5: Use Bed Bug-Proof Encasements

After cleaning, use bed bug-proof mattress and box spring covers. These tightly sealed encasements trap any remaining bed bugs and prevent new ones from settling in. They’re an excellent long-term preventive measure for keeping your bed bug-free.

Step 6: Know When to Call Professionals

Even with your best efforts, bed bugs are persistent pests that can hide in the smallest spaces. DIY methods may reduce activity, but they rarely eliminate the infestation completely.

Professional bed bug exterminators use specialized tools and treatments, such as heat and chemical applications, to ensure every bug and egg is destroyed.



At Protective Pest Management, our team uses proven techniques to eliminate bed bugs quickly and prevent them from coming back. We tailor every treatment plan to your home and provide tips to help you avoid future infestations.

Call for a Free Quote

Don’t let bed bugs take over your home. Call Protective Pest Management today at (814) 244-0067 or fill out our online form to request a free quote. Our expert team will help you eliminate bed bugs fast, safely, and completely so you can rest easy again.