How to Kill Bed Bugs

Since positively IDing a bed bug is the only sure way to know that’s what you’re dealing with, this should be your first step in solving the problem.

You can look for bed bugs yourself, or rely on a professional pest expert. Bed bugs are small and can be hard to see. They also move quickly and are skilled at concealing themselves.

If you are being bitten in bed, keep a bright flashlight by the bed at night. When the lights are out and you suspect bed bug activity, use the flashlight to look for bugs. The activity of getting out of bed and turning on a light can be enough time and signaling for the bed bugs to find their way out of sight.

Also look closely in many of the hiding places in your rooms, searching for signs of bedbugs. You may want to dismantle your bed and take clothes out of dressers for close inspection. The more detailed of an inspection you can carry out, the more likely you will be to track down the insects. This may take hours.

If you find a bed bug, keep it in a zippered plastic bag or other sealed container to show to your exterminator and building manager or landlord, if you are a renter.

For an exterminator to start managing a bed bug problem, he or she will need to identify the bed bug, locate where the bedbugs are hiding out, and determine the population size. If you do not turn up any bed bugs yourself, the exterminator can use a flushing agent to bring them forward.