How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs (2026 Guide)

The honest answer is: occasionally, for very early-stage infestations. But for the vast majority of bed bug infestations in LA homes and apartments, over-the-counter products fail to eliminate the infestation.

Here is why DIY bed bug treatment rarely works:

Hiding ability: Bed bugs retreat to harborage areas that sprays cannot reach — deep inside mattress seams, inside the box spring frame, inside electrical outlets behind the wall plate, behind baseboards, and inside furniture joints. A thorough chemical treatment requires disassembly of bed frames, treatment of all cracks and voids, and follow-up visits to catch bugs that were in inaccessible areas during the initial treatment.

Resistance: Common over-the-counter bed bug products (pyrethroids) have been shown to have little effect on many bed bug populations, which have developed genetic resistance. Professional treatments use a combination of products with different modes of action to overcome resistance.

Egg viability: Bed bug eggs are resistant to many insecticides. Even if a spray kills all visible adult bed bugs, unaffected eggs hatch within 6–10 days at room temperature, restarting the infestation. Professional programs include an insect growth regulator that prevents nymphs from maturing, and follow-up visits timed to catch newly-hatched nymphs.

Heat treatment: The only reliable single-visit solution for bed bugs is heat treatment — raising the entire room above 120°F for an extended period to kill all life stages, including eggs, in a single treatment day. This cannot be accomplished with retail products.

Before spending money on treatment, confirm bed bugs are present. Other insects (mosquitoes, fleas, spider mites, scabies) can also cause unexplained bites.

How to inspect for bed bugs:

1. Strip the bed and examine the mattress seams, particularly at the corners and along the stitched edges. Use a flashlight. Look for:

   • Live bed bugs (oval, reddish-brown, about the size of an apple seed — 1/4 to 3/16 inch long)
   • Shed exoskeletons (light tan, translucent, same shape as live bugs)
   • Rust-colored blood spots (from crushed bugs or fecal spots)
   • Tiny white eggs in mattress seams

2. Inspect the box spring, especially along the staple-attached fabric on the underside.

3. Check the bed frame and headboard, particularly joints, screw holes, and crevices.

4. Check behind the headboard if wall-mounted.

5. Inspect nightstands, particularly the inside corners of drawers and any crevices on the exterior.

6. Look behind nearby electrical outlet plates.

If you find any of the above, you have bed bugs. If you find only bites but no physical evidence, request a professional inspection — technicians have more experience recognizing the sometimes subtle signs of early-stage infestations.

Once bed bugs are confirmed, the two main professional treatment options are:

Heat Treatment:
The room or unit is heated to 120–135°F using electric heaters. Technicians monitor temperature throughout the space to ensure all harborage areas (inside walls, inside furniture) reach lethal temperature. Treatment duration is typically 6–8 hours.

Advantages: Kills all life stages (eggs, nymphs, adults) in a single visit; no pesticide residue; can be done without throwing away furniture.

Disadvantages: Cannot be used in units adjacent to a non-treated unit (heat dissipates through walls); requires careful preparation to remove heat-sensitive items (candles, aerosols, plants, medications, certain electronics); costs more upfront than chemical treatment.

Cost in LA: $800–$2,500 per unit.

Chemical Treatment (2–3 visits):
Multiple EPA-registered insecticides (including non-pyrethroid options for resistant populations) applied to all bed bug hiding areas. An insect growth regulator prevents nymphs from maturing. Follow-up visits are included at 2 and 4 weeks after initial treatment.

Advantages: Lower upfront cost; effective with proper application; available for multi-unit treatment coordination.

Disadvantages: Requires more extensive preparation; takes 4–6 weeks to fully resolve; eggs present at first treatment may hatch between visits; requires the homeowner to follow strict post-treatment protocols.

Cost in LA: $500–$1,200 per unit for the full program.

Proper preparation is critical for treatment success. Your technician provides a detailed checklist, but the general requirements are:

For heat treatment:

• Remove candles, aerosol cans, wine and carbonated beverages, medications, houseplants, and pets from the treatment area
• Bag laundry and wash/dry all clothing, linens, and bedding on high heat before or during treatment
• Unplug and bag electronics that may be heat-sensitive
• Do not remove furniture from the room — furniture stays in place and is treated

For chemical treatment:

• Strip all bedding and launder on high heat
• Vacuum thoroughly (including mattress, box spring, and all floor surfaces), immediately seal and dispose of the vacuum bag or canister contents outside
• Remove clutter from floors and under the bed to allow access
• Move furniture away from walls
• Keep pets and children out of treated areas until product is dry

For both treatments:

• Do not throw away your mattress or furniture before treatment — this can spread bed bugs to other areas and is usually unnecessary if treatment is successful
• Alert your neighbors in a multi-family building — adjacent units should be inspected

After successful bed bug treatment, these practices reduce the risk of re-infestation:

Mattress covers: Install bed bug-proof encasements on the mattress and box spring. These trap any survivors (unlikely after heat treatment but important for chemical treatment follow-up) and prevent new bugs from hiding in the mattress.

Travel precautions: Hotels are a common bed bug source. When staying in a hotel, inspect the mattress seams before settling in. Keep luggage on the luggage rack (away from the floor and furniture) and consider inspecting bags before bringing them inside after returning home.

Used furniture: Never bring upholstered furniture found on the street or purchased from unknown sources into your home without inspection. Dressers, couches, and headboards from thrift stores and moving sales carry significant bed bug risk.

Laundry: If you have reason to believe you have been exposed to bed bugs (hotel stay, someone else's home with known infestation), launder all clothing on high heat immediately upon returning home.

Call LA Pest Pros at (213) 555-0187 if you have confirmed (or strongly suspect) bed bugs. We inspect at no charge, confirm the infestation, and provide written treatment options with upfront pricing. We cover 42 cities across Greater Los Angeles and respond within 15 minutes of your call. See our bed bug treatment service page for details on our approach.

Found bites or suspect bed bugs? Call (213) 555-0187 — we respond within 15 minutes and can schedule inspection the same day or next business day. Free estimates. LA Pest Pros serves all of Greater Los Angeles.