What Kills Bed Bugs Instantly? A Complete Guide

Don’t forget your vehicle: Bed bugs notoriously hitch rides from other people’s homes or hotel rooms. That means they can also linger in vehicles. Thorough clean and treat your vehicle along with bedding and other key items in your home. 

Wash and treat fabric: When infestations escalate, bed bugs can be found in sofas, carpet, pet beds, luggage, curtains and, of course, lots of laundry. It pays to be thorough and treat all kinds of fabric where bed bugs may linger. 

Set a week of vacuuming: Vacuum helps remove clutter and suck up errant bed bugs, especially at higher suction levels. When treating your home, try to arrange a vacuuming session every day for the corners, baseboards, and mattress or furniture where bed bugs have been found. This is a great way to pick up stragglers and eggs.

Protect and isolate your bed: Bed bugs don’t magically appear on your bed—they have to climb there. Part of bed bug treatment includes moving your bed away from the walls. You can also tape the legs of your bed so bugs can’t climb up or surround your bed with diatomaceous earth. 

Wrap your bed in plastic: If the mattress is the center of a bed bug infestation, it’s a good idea to fully seal it in a plastic mattress cover for around 3 months after cleaning. This will generally kill remaining bed bugs.

Don’t be afraid to call pest control: Pest control companies have dedicated tools to deal with bed bugs, including on-the-spot heating. It can be expensive, but it’s often the best way to make sure that the bugs are gone for good. 

Don’t use sticky traps: While these may have pesticides in them, they aren’t effective at capturing bed bugs and getting rid of them.  

Bed bugs hidden in the corners: Bed bugs hide in the corners and cracks of the mattress, under cushions, and similar areas They’ll look like a collection of small, reddish dots or flakes that will move around when disturbed. If you see these gatherings of bugs, you know you have a problem. 

Unexpected specs on clean sheets: Tiny brown or dark stains on sheets are another common sign of bed bugs. These little smears are caused by crushed bugs and small bug feces, as well as small drops of blood from their bites. When combined with the itchy rashes that bed bugs create, it’s a clear sign of an infestation. 

White dots on mattress or furniture: White dots can be caused by bed bug moltings or eggs that bed bugs have laid, another sign of an infestation that may be more obvious on dark fabrics or the underside of mattresses.

A distinct odor: When bed bugs start gathering in numbers, they begin to have a noticeable scent. It’s usually described as sweet and musty, a bit like berries starting to go bad. That’s a sign you’re on the right track. 

Warmth: Bed bugs are attracted to warm areas, specifically the warmth of human bodies. That warmth also indicates the best spots on the human body to feed, which is why they congregate in areas we lay or sit frequently.

Carbon dioxide: Like many insects that feed on humans, bed bugs are attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide, which we produce whenever we exhale. 

Other bed bugs: Bed bugs emit their own chemical signatures that can attract other bed bugs. That explains how they can easily congregate in the same hiding spots deep in the seams of a mattress or couch.

Dark bedding: It may sound odd, but bed bugs are attracted to color, especially colors that make it easier for them to hide. Dark and reddish bedding seems to be their favorite, while light-colored bedding is less likely to attract them.

Dirty laundry: Dirty laundry is filled with the traces of humans, which can attract new bed bugs looking for places to set up shop. A laundry hamper can be a popular gathering spot, especially if clothes haven’t been washed in a while.

Don’t forget your vehicle: Bed bugs notoriously hitch rides from other people’s homes or hotel rooms. That means they can also linger in vehicles. Thorough clean and treat your vehicle along with bedding and other key items in your home. 

Wash and treat fabric: When infestations escalate, bed bugs can be found in sofas, carpet, pet beds, luggage, curtains and, of course, lots of laundry. It pays to be thorough and treat all kinds of fabric where bed bugs may linger. 

Set a week of vacuuming: Vacuum helps remove clutter and suck up errant bed bugs, especially at higher suction levels. When treating your home, try to arrange a vacuuming session every day for the corners, baseboards, and mattress or furniture where bed bugs have been found. This is a great way to pick up stragglers and eggs.

Protect and isolate your bed: Bed bugs don’t magically appear on your bed—they have to climb there. Part of bed bug treatment includes moving your bed away from the walls. You can also tape the legs of your bed so bugs can’t climb up or surround your bed with diatomaceous earth. 

Wrap your bed in plastic: If the mattress is the center of a bed bug infestation, it’s a good idea to fully seal it in a plastic mattress cover for around 3 months after cleaning. This will generally kill remaining bed bugs.

Don’t be afraid to call pest control: Pest control companies have dedicated tools to deal with bed bugs, including on-the-spot heating. It can be expensive, but it’s often the best way to make sure that the bugs are gone for good. 

Don’t use sticky traps: While these may have pesticides in them, they aren’t effective at capturing bed bugs and getting rid of them.  

Bed bugs hidden in the corners: Bed bugs hide in the corners and cracks of the mattress, under cushions, and similar areas They’ll look like a collection of small, reddish dots or flakes that will move around when disturbed. If you see these gatherings of bugs, you know you have a problem. 

Unexpected specs on clean sheets: Tiny brown or dark stains on sheets are another common sign of bed bugs. These little smears are caused by crushed bugs and small bug feces, as well as small drops of blood from their bites. When combined with the itchy rashes that bed bugs create, it’s a clear sign of an infestation. 

White dots on mattress or furniture: White dots can be caused by bed bug moltings or eggs that bed bugs have laid, another sign of an infestation that may be more obvious on dark fabrics or the underside of mattresses.

A distinct odor: When bed bugs start gathering in numbers, they begin to have a noticeable scent. It’s usually described as sweet and musty, a bit like berries starting to go bad. That’s a sign you’re on the right track. 

Warmth: Bed bugs are attracted to warm areas, specifically the warmth of human bodies. That warmth also indicates the best spots on the human body to feed, which is why they congregate in areas we lay or sit frequently.

Carbon dioxide: Like many insects that feed on humans, bed bugs are attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide, which we produce whenever we exhale. 

Other bed bugs: Bed bugs emit their own chemical signatures that can attract other bed bugs. That explains how they can easily congregate in the same hiding spots deep in the seams of a mattress or couch.

Dark bedding: It may sound odd, but bed bugs are attracted to color, especially colors that make it easier for them to hide. Dark and reddish bedding seems to be their favorite, while light-colored bedding is less likely to attract them.

Dirty laundry: Dirty laundry is filled with the traces of humans, which can attract new bed bugs looking for places to set up shop. A laundry hamper can be a popular gathering spot, especially if clothes haven’t been washed in a while.

Don’t forget your vehicle: Bed bugs notoriously hitch rides from other people’s homes or hotel rooms. That means they can also linger in vehicles. Thorough clean and treat your vehicle along with bedding and other key items in your home. 

Wash and treat fabric: When infestations escalate, bed bugs can be found in sofas, carpet, pet beds, luggage, curtains and, of course, lots of laundry. It pays to be thorough and treat all kinds of fabric where bed bugs may linger. 

Set a week of vacuuming: Vacuum helps remove clutter and suck up errant bed bugs, especially at higher suction levels. When treating your home, try to arrange a vacuuming session every day for the corners, baseboards, and mattress or furniture where bed bugs have been found. This is a great way to pick up stragglers and eggs.

Protect and isolate your bed: Bed bugs don’t magically appear on your bed—they have to climb there. Part of bed bug treatment includes moving your bed away from the walls. You can also tape the legs of your bed so bugs can’t climb up or surround your bed with diatomaceous earth. 

Wrap your bed in plastic: If the mattress is the center of a bed bug infestation, it’s a good idea to fully seal it in a plastic mattress cover for around 3 months after cleaning. This will generally kill remaining bed bugs.

Don’t be afraid to call pest control: Pest control companies have dedicated tools to deal with bed bugs, including on-the-spot heating. It can be expensive, but it’s often the best way to make sure that the bugs are gone for good. 

Don’t use sticky traps: While these may have pesticides in them, they aren’t effective at capturing bed bugs and getting rid of them.  

Bed bugs hidden in the corners: Bed bugs hide in the corners and cracks of the mattress, under cushions, and similar areas They’ll look like a collection of small, reddish dots or flakes that will move around when disturbed. If you see these gatherings of bugs, you know you have a problem. 

Unexpected specs on clean sheets: Tiny brown or dark stains on sheets are another common sign of bed bugs. These little smears are caused by crushed bugs and small bug feces, as well as small drops of blood from their bites. When combined with the itchy rashes that bed bugs create, it’s a clear sign of an infestation. 

White dots on mattress or furniture: White dots can be caused by bed bug moltings or eggs that bed bugs have laid, another sign of an infestation that may be more obvious on dark fabrics or the underside of mattresses.

A distinct odor: When bed bugs start gathering in numbers, they begin to have a noticeable scent. It’s usually described as sweet and musty, a bit like berries starting to go bad. That’s a sign you’re on the right track. 

Warmth: Bed bugs are attracted to warm areas, specifically the warmth of human bodies. That warmth also indicates the best spots on the human body to feed, which is why they congregate in areas we lay or sit frequently.

Carbon dioxide: Like many insects that feed on humans, bed bugs are attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide, which we produce whenever we exhale. 

Other bed bugs: Bed bugs emit their own chemical signatures that can attract other bed bugs. That explains how they can easily congregate in the same hiding spots deep in the seams of a mattress or couch.

Dark bedding: It may sound odd, but bed bugs are attracted to color, especially colors that make it easier for them to hide. Dark and reddish bedding seems to be their favorite, while light-colored bedding is less likely to attract them.

Dirty laundry: Dirty laundry is filled with the traces of humans, which can attract new bed bugs looking for places to set up shop. A laundry hamper can be a popular gathering spot, especially if clothes haven’t been washed in a while.

Don’t forget your vehicle: Bed bugs notoriously hitch rides from other people’s homes or hotel rooms. That means they can also linger in vehicles. Thorough clean and treat your vehicle along with bedding and other key items in your home. 

Wash and treat fabric: When infestations escalate, bed bugs can be found in sofas, carpet, pet beds, luggage, curtains and, of course, lots of laundry. It pays to be thorough and treat all kinds of fabric where bed bugs may linger. 

Set a week of vacuuming: Vacuum helps remove clutter and suck up errant bed bugs, especially at higher suction levels. When treating your home, try to arrange a vacuuming session every day for the corners, baseboards, and mattress or furniture where bed bugs have been found. This is a great way to pick up stragglers and eggs.

Protect and isolate your bed: Bed bugs don’t magically appear on your bed—they have to climb there. Part of bed bug treatment includes moving your bed away from the walls. You can also tape the legs of your bed so bugs can’t climb up or surround your bed with diatomaceous earth. 

Wrap your bed in plastic: If the mattress is the center of a bed bug infestation, it’s a good idea to fully seal it in a plastic mattress cover for around 3 months after cleaning. This will generally kill remaining bed bugs.

Don’t be afraid to call pest control: Pest control companies have dedicated tools to deal with bed bugs, including on-the-spot heating. It can be expensive, but it’s often the best way to make sure that the bugs are gone for good. 

Don’t use sticky traps: While these may have pesticides in them, they aren’t effective at capturing bed bugs and getting rid of them.  

Bed bugs hidden in the corners: Bed bugs hide in the corners and cracks of the mattress, under cushions, and similar areas They’ll look like a collection of small, reddish dots or flakes that will move around when disturbed. If you see these gatherings of bugs, you know you have a problem. 

Unexpected specs on clean sheets: Tiny brown or dark stains on sheets are another common sign of bed bugs. These little smears are caused by crushed bugs and small bug feces, as well as small drops of blood from their bites. When combined with the itchy rashes that bed bugs create, it’s a clear sign of an infestation. 

White dots on mattress or furniture: White dots can be caused by bed bug moltings or eggs that bed bugs have laid, another sign of an infestation that may be more obvious on dark fabrics or the underside of mattresses.

A distinct odor: When bed bugs start gathering in numbers, they begin to have a noticeable scent. It’s usually described as sweet and musty, a bit like berries starting to go bad. That’s a sign you’re on the right track. 

Warmth: Bed bugs are attracted to warm areas, specifically the warmth of human bodies. That warmth also indicates the best spots on the human body to feed, which is why they congregate in areas we lay or sit frequently.

Carbon dioxide: Like many insects that feed on humans, bed bugs are attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide, which we produce whenever we exhale. 

Other bed bugs: Bed bugs emit their own chemical signatures that can attract other bed bugs. That explains how they can easily congregate in the same hiding spots deep in the seams of a mattress or couch.

Dark bedding: It may sound odd, but bed bugs are attracted to color, especially colors that make it easier for them to hide. Dark and reddish bedding seems to be their favorite, while light-colored bedding is less likely to attract them.

Dirty laundry: Dirty laundry is filled with the traces of humans, which can attract new bed bugs looking for places to set up shop. A laundry hamper can be a popular gathering spot, especially if clothes haven’t been washed in a while.

Don’t forget your vehicle: Bed bugs notoriously hitch rides from other people’s homes or hotel rooms. That means they can also linger in vehicles. Thorough clean and treat your vehicle along with bedding and other key items in your home. 

Wash and treat fabric: When infestations escalate, bed bugs can be found in sofas, carpet, pet beds, luggage, curtains and, of course, lots of laundry. It pays to be thorough and treat all kinds of fabric where bed bugs may linger. 

Set a week of vacuuming: Vacuum helps remove clutter and suck up errant bed bugs, especially at higher suction levels. When treating your home, try to arrange a vacuuming session every day for the corners, baseboards, and mattress or furniture where bed bugs have been found. This is a great way to pick up stragglers and eggs.

Protect and isolate your bed: Bed bugs don’t magically appear on your bed—they have to climb there. Part of bed bug treatment includes moving your bed away from the walls. You can also tape the legs of your bed so bugs can’t climb up or surround your bed with diatomaceous earth. 

Wrap your bed in plastic: If the mattress is the center of a bed bug infestation, it’s a good idea to fully seal it in a plastic mattress cover for around 3 months after cleaning. This will generally kill remaining bed bugs.

Don’t be afraid to call pest control: Pest control companies have dedicated tools to deal with bed bugs, including on-the-spot heating. It can be expensive, but it’s often the best way to make sure that the bugs are gone for good. 

Don’t use sticky traps: While these may have pesticides in them, they aren’t effective at capturing bed bugs and getting rid of them.  

Bed bugs hidden in the corners: Bed bugs hide in the corners and cracks of the mattress, under cushions, and similar areas They’ll look like a collection of small, reddish dots or flakes that will move around when disturbed. If you see these gatherings of bugs, you know you have a problem. 

Unexpected specs on clean sheets: Tiny brown or dark stains on sheets are another common sign of bed bugs. These little smears are caused by crushed bugs and small bug feces, as well as small drops of blood from their bites. When combined with the itchy rashes that bed bugs create, it’s a clear sign of an infestation. 

White dots on mattress or furniture: White dots can be caused by bed bug moltings or eggs that bed bugs have laid, another sign of an infestation that may be more obvious on dark fabrics or the underside of mattresses.

A distinct odor: When bed bugs start gathering in numbers, they begin to have a noticeable scent. It’s usually described as sweet and musty, a bit like berries starting to go bad. That’s a sign you’re on the right track. 

Warmth: Bed bugs are attracted to warm areas, specifically the warmth of human bodies. That warmth also indicates the best spots on the human body to feed, which is why they congregate in areas we lay or sit frequently.

Carbon dioxide: Like many insects that feed on humans, bed bugs are attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide, which we produce whenever we exhale. 

Other bed bugs: Bed bugs emit their own chemical signatures that can attract other bed bugs. That explains how they can easily congregate in the same hiding spots deep in the seams of a mattress or couch.

Dark bedding: It may sound odd, but bed bugs are attracted to color, especially colors that make it easier for them to hide. Dark and reddish bedding seems to be their favorite, while light-colored bedding is less likely to attract them.

Dirty laundry: Dirty laundry is filled with the traces of humans, which can attract new bed bugs looking for places to set up shop. A laundry hamper can be a popular gathering spot, especially if clothes haven’t been washed in a while.

Don’t forget your vehicle: Bed bugs notoriously hitch rides from other people’s homes or hotel rooms. That means they can also linger in vehicles. Thorough clean and treat your vehicle along with bedding and other key items in your home. 

Wash and treat fabric: When infestations escalate, bed bugs can be found in sofas, carpet, pet beds, luggage, curtains and, of course, lots of laundry. It pays to be thorough and treat all kinds of fabric where bed bugs may linger. 

Set a week of vacuuming: Vacuum helps remove clutter and suck up errant bed bugs, especially at higher suction levels. When treating your home, try to arrange a vacuuming session every day for the corners, baseboards, and mattress or furniture where bed bugs have been found. This is a great way to pick up stragglers and eggs.

Protect and isolate your bed: Bed bugs don’t magically appear on your bed—they have to climb there. Part of bed bug treatment includes moving your bed away from the walls. You can also tape the legs of your bed so bugs can’t climb up or surround your bed with diatomaceous earth. 

Wrap your bed in plastic: If the mattress is the center of a bed bug infestation, it’s a good idea to fully seal it in a plastic mattress cover for around 3 months after cleaning. This will generally kill remaining bed bugs.

Don’t be afraid to call pest control: Pest control companies have dedicated tools to deal with bed bugs, including on-the-spot heating. It can be expensive, but it’s often the best way to make sure that the bugs are gone for good. 

Don’t use sticky traps: While these may have pesticides in them, they aren’t effective at capturing bed bugs and getting rid of them.  

Bed bugs hidden in the corners: Bed bugs hide in the corners and cracks of the mattress, under cushions, and similar areas They’ll look like a collection of small, reddish dots or flakes that will move around when disturbed. If you see these gatherings of bugs, you know you have a problem. 

Unexpected specs on clean sheets: Tiny brown or dark stains on sheets are another common sign of bed bugs. These little smears are caused by crushed bugs and small bug feces, as well as small drops of blood from their bites. When combined with the itchy rashes that bed bugs create, it’s a clear sign of an infestation. 

White dots on mattress or furniture: White dots can be caused by bed bug moltings or eggs that bed bugs have laid, another sign of an infestation that may be more obvious on dark fabrics or the underside of mattresses.

A distinct odor: When bed bugs start gathering in numbers, they begin to have a noticeable scent. It’s usually described as sweet and musty, a bit like berries starting to go bad. That’s a sign you’re on the right track. 

Warmth: Bed bugs are attracted to warm areas, specifically the warmth of human bodies. That warmth also indicates the best spots on the human body to feed, which is why they congregate in areas we lay or sit frequently.

Carbon dioxide: Like many insects that feed on humans, bed bugs are attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide, which we produce whenever we exhale. 

Other bed bugs: Bed bugs emit their own chemical signatures that can attract other bed bugs. That explains how they can easily congregate in the same hiding spots deep in the seams of a mattress or couch.

Dark bedding: It may sound odd, but bed bugs are attracted to color, especially colors that make it easier for them to hide. Dark and reddish bedding seems to be their favorite, while light-colored bedding is less likely to attract them.

Dirty laundry: Dirty laundry is filled with the traces of humans, which can attract new bed bugs looking for places to set up shop. A laundry hamper can be a popular gathering spot, especially if clothes haven’t been washed in a while.

Don’t forget your vehicle: Bed bugs notoriously hitch rides from other people’s homes or hotel rooms. That means they can also linger in vehicles. Thorough clean and treat your vehicle along with bedding and other key items in your home. 

Wash and treat fabric: When infestations escalate, bed bugs can be found in sofas, carpet, pet beds, luggage, curtains and, of course, lots of laundry. It pays to be thorough and treat all kinds of fabric where bed bugs may linger. 

Set a week of vacuuming: Vacuum helps remove clutter and suck up errant bed bugs, especially at higher suction levels. When treating your home, try to arrange a vacuuming session every day for the corners, baseboards, and mattress or furniture where bed bugs have been found. This is a great way to pick up stragglers and eggs.

Protect and isolate your bed: Bed bugs don’t magically appear on your bed—they have to climb there. Part of bed bug treatment includes moving your bed away from the walls. You can also tape the legs of your bed so bugs can’t climb up or surround your bed with diatomaceous earth. 

Wrap your bed in plastic: If the mattress is the center of a bed bug infestation, it’s a good idea to fully seal it in a plastic mattress cover for around 3 months after cleaning. This will generally kill remaining bed bugs.

Don’t be afraid to call pest control: Pest control companies have dedicated tools to deal with bed bugs, including on-the-spot heating. It can be expensive, but it’s often the best way to make sure that the bugs are gone for good. 

Don’t use sticky traps: While these may have pesticides in them, they aren’t effective at capturing bed bugs and getting rid of them.  

Bed bugs hidden in the corners: Bed bugs hide in the corners and cracks of the mattress, under cushions, and similar areas They’ll look like a collection of small, reddish dots or flakes that will move around when disturbed. If you see these gatherings of bugs, you know you have a problem. 

Unexpected specs on clean sheets: Tiny brown or dark stains on sheets are another common sign of bed bugs. These little smears are caused by crushed bugs and small bug feces, as well as small drops of blood from their bites. When combined with the itchy rashes that bed bugs create, it’s a clear sign of an infestation. 

White dots on mattress or furniture: White dots can be caused by bed bug moltings or eggs that bed bugs have laid, another sign of an infestation that may be more obvious on dark fabrics or the underside of mattresses.

A distinct odor: When bed bugs start gathering in numbers, they begin to have a noticeable scent. It’s usually described as sweet and musty, a bit like berries starting to go bad. That’s a sign you’re on the right track. 

Warmth: Bed bugs are attracted to warm areas, specifically the warmth of human bodies. That warmth also indicates the best spots on the human body to feed, which is why they congregate in areas we lay or sit frequently.

Carbon dioxide: Like many insects that feed on humans, bed bugs are attracted to the smell of carbon dioxide, which we produce whenever we exhale. 

Other bed bugs: Bed bugs emit their own chemical signatures that can attract other bed bugs. That explains how they can easily congregate in the same hiding spots deep in the seams of a mattress or couch.

Dark bedding: It may sound odd, but bed bugs are attracted to color, especially colors that make it easier for them to hide. Dark and reddish bedding seems to be their favorite, while light-colored bedding is less likely to attract them.

Dirty laundry: Dirty laundry is filled with the traces of humans, which can attract new bed bugs looking for places to set up shop. A laundry hamper can be a popular gathering spot, especially if clothes haven’t been washed in a while.