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It’s debatable, but most will say either termites or bed bugs are the hardest to remove. When dealing with termites, you must find the central nest (as opposed to satellite nests) and exterminate the queen and all potential queens, which often takes the work of a specialist. Bed bugs, meanwhile, are incredibly hardy, good at hiding, and resistant to pesticides, so it takes very careful, very thorough work to get rid of them permanently. 

If you’ve ruled out small cockroaches, some other bugs you might mistake for bed bugs are carpet beetles, bat bugs, and booklice. However, they’re usually found in different parts of the home. Carpet beetles are found in fabrics and carpets, bat bugs live in attics, and booklice dwell around books and damp areas.

Exterminators can get rid of your current ant problem, but they won’t prevent ants from coming back. So it’s important to implement ant preventatives to avoid future infestations.

The primary reason ants enter your home is to find food. If they can’t find any, they won’t survive. So, the most effective way to prevent ant infestations is to clean, clean, and clean some more. 

Keep your kitchen sparkling and wash your dishes immediately (or at least give them a quick rinse and wash off leftover food). Take out your garbage and compost as often as possible and tightly seal all your kitchen containers, especially the mason jars you use to hold your sugar—sugar is gold to ants.

You can also hire a local handyperson to help you prevent future ant infestations. The handyman can seal cracks and fix leaks throughout your home, which will keep any ants from entering.

Heat is the most effective instant killer of bed bugs. Exposing them to temperatures above 131 degrees Fahrenheit for over an hour can eliminate them. Methods like steam cleaners and using a dryer on high heat are effective for this. Other options that can kill bed bugs on contact include EPA-approved pesticides, bleach, disinfectant sprays with alcohol, diatomaceous earth, and hydrogen peroxide. While freezing can work, it is not an instant solution, as it can take several days at 0 degrees Fahrenheit to be effective. Keep in mind that many DIY treatments won't reach bed bugs hidden in cracks or behind walls. For severe infestations or the most effective results, it is best to hire a professional exterminator for a professional heat or chemical treatment.