The Real Deal on Getting Rid of Bed Bugs for Good

Think bed bugs are just a hotel problem? Think again. These tiny pests are notorious for turning up in homes, apartments, and even public transportation. If you’ve spotted one or, worse, woken up with itchy bites, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of them—fast.

Let’s be honest: bed bugs are a nightmare. They’re hard to spot, even harder to kill, and they multiply at a speed that makes you want to throw out your entire mattress. But before you start panic-buying sprays or hauling your furniture to the curb, here’s what you need to know about doing it right.

Call a Professional

This isn’t the type of pest you can just “wait out” or handle with a quick spray. Bed bugs are resilient, sneaky, and great at hiding in the tiniest cracks and seams. Even if you kill the ones you see, the eggs they leave behind can hatch within days and start the whole cycle over.

A professional exterminator from Candor Pest Control knows exactly where to look, how to treat the space properly, and which method is best based on how far the infestation has spread. They have access to equipment and treatments that you simply can’t get over the counter. Heat treatments, for example, are highly effective and kill bed bugs in all life stages, eggs included. That’s something most DIY methods won’t guarantee.

Yes, it’s an upfront cost, but it saves you time, money, and stress in the long run. Trying to do it all yourself often ends with repeated infestations and more damage.

What You Can Do at Home

If you’re waiting on an appointment or just trying to stay proactive, there are things you can do at home that support the process. Just know these aren’t one-and-done solutions.

First, strip your bed down to the bare mattress. Wash every sheet, blanket, pillowcase, and even curtains in hot water and dry on the highest setting. Heat is one of the few things that kills bed bugs effectively.

Next, vacuum everything. Not just the mattress, but the bed frame, baseboards, floor edges, rugs, and even inside furniture. Then empty the vacuum outside. Don’t just toss the contents in your kitchen trash; get it out of the house.

Seal cracks and crevices. Use caulk or filler around baseboards, window sills, and outlets. Bed bugs love tight spaces and will hide anywhere dark and undisturbed.

Use mattress encasements. These zippered covers trap any bugs inside and prevent new ones from getting in. You’ll want to leave them on for at least a year, which may sound like a long time, but it’s worth it.

Don’t Rely on Over-the-Counter Sprays

Walk down any hardware aisle and you’ll see dozens of sprays promising instant results. The truth? Most of them kill on contact but do absolutely nothing to eliminate eggs or reach hidden bugs. Worse, some just cause the infestation to spread as bugs flee to other rooms.

There’s also the risk of building resistance. Bed bugs are becoming tougher to kill with common chemical sprays, so overusing these products can make the situation worse. If you’re using anything at all, make sure it’s part of a larger plan, not the only step.

Know Where They Hide

You might think they’re just in the bed, but that’s only part of the story. Bed bugs are masters of hiding. They’re small, flat, and nocturnal, so they tuck themselves away during the day and come out when you’re asleep.

Check these common hiding spots:

• Mattress seams
• Box springs
• Bed frames and headboards
• Behind wall hangings
• Inside electrical outlets
• In the seams of upholstered furniture

Once you know where they hide, you can clean more effectively and give better info to the professionals who come in.

Be Careful with Secondhand Items

One of the most common ways bed bugs sneak into homes is through used furniture. That free couch on the sidewalk might seem tempting, but it could be carrying unwanted guests.

If you must bring in secondhand items, inspect them thoroughly. Look in seams, under cushions, and along wood joints. It’s not just furniture either; clothing, shoes, and even books can be hiding places.

Heat-treat anything washable before bringing it inside. If you can’t wash it, think twice about keeping it.

Keep Monitoring After Treatment

Just because the itching stops doesn’t mean the bugs are gone for good. After treatment, continue to monitor your space.

Place interceptors under the legs of beds and furniture. These simple traps can catch bugs trying to climb up or down and give you an early warning if they return.

Keep an eye on bites, too. They’re not always reliable (some people don’t react), but if you notice a pattern or new ones appearing, it’s worth rechecking.

Why Bed Bugs Keep Coming Back

If you’ve treated your home and they still come back, it could be because:

• The treatment wasn’t thorough – Missed areas give bugs a chance to regroup and multiply.
• You didn’t treat all affected areas – Bed bugs can spread through walls, vents, and hallways, especially in shared housing.
• They were reintroduced – Visitors, luggage, or used items can bring them back in.

This is why it’s so important to act fast and treat the issue completely the first time around.

The Bottom Line

You don’t have to live with bed bugs, but you do have to be smart and methodical about getting rid of them. Start with professional help. Back that up with heat, cleaning, and consistent monitoring. Stay cautious about what you bring into your home, and don’t let your guard down too early.