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How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Fast: Scientifically Approved Products and Methods | Bed Bug Fogger Effectiveness

If you have found yourself reading this article, there is no point in explaining to you what kind of small brown bugs have settled in your mattress. Based on the recommendations of scientists, we have prepared a detailed guide for you. From this review, you will learn how to get rid of bed bugs PROPERLY and defeat them once and for all.

Yes, they are indeed nasty parasites which are so hard to eliminate as they are incredibly tenacious and skillful at hiding. How to kill bed bugs effectively? A bed bug bomb seems to be the fastest way to get rid of the bloodsuckers. But is it true?

A Single Bug Bomb Can Kill All Bed Bugs Immediately: True or False? False.

Many people try to use bug bombs and foggers, but the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, NY specialists, warn  us:  “Foggers and bug bombs are not effective against them” .

Hot Shot No-Mess! Fogger With Odor Neutralizer, Kills Hidden Bugs, No Need To Turn Off Pilot Lights 3 Count (Pack of 6)

This is so because the sprayed droplets of the synthetic fog cannot penetrate hidden spots inhabited by the bed bugs. The University of Kentucky scientists  agree  with this.

They insist that the home insect foggers (“Bug Bombs”) are useless against crawling insects. When applied in this manner, very little insecticide actually penetrates into cracks, voids, and other hidden locations where cockroaches, ants, silverfish, and most other household pests congregate and spend most of their time.

The main point is also that the ingredients within “bug bombs” also tend to be repellent, causing insects to scatter and move deeper into wall voids and other hard-to-reach areas, which means they are hiding a bit further! It’s pointless to rely on any repellents either as their bloodthirstiness is stronger than the smell.

So, what are the alternatives to bed bug foggers? 

Professional insecticides are the most effective means of dealing with the bed bugs today.

We have compiled the opinions of scientists from more than ten American universities. They’ve bust the myths about the ever-popular bug bombs: they are utterly useless against bed bugs. And here you will find the TOP 15 proven bed bug killing products.

Best Bed Bug Killers to get rid of bed bugs fast | StoppestInfo.com

What Kills Bed Bugs Instantly | Comparative Table

The Fastest and Cost-Saving Solution
Harris Bed Bug Killer decreases significantly the population of bed bug within weeks. Harris Toughest kills pyrethroid resistant bed bugs and eggs.

Harris Toughest Bed Bug Killer, Liquid Spray with Odorless and Non-Staining Extended Residual Kill Formula (Gallon)

Check the current price

The Strongest Professional Insecticide
TRANSPORT® GHP is the most effective professional solution with high pest mortality. It works perfectly on all types of surfaces, including porous materials and has a residue lasting up to 3 months.

FMC Transport GHP Insecticide 0.3oz

Check the current price

Spot Treatment
BASF Phantom professional aerosol insecticide spray with long residual efficacy penetrates deep into cracks, killing bed bugs on contact within seconds.

Phantom Aerosol 12 (17.5 oz cans)

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Best for Treating Mattresses
SteriFab and Bedlam contact sprays are low-toxic and be applied to furniture and bedding. SteriFab targets adult insects. Bedlam has longer residue and kills eggs and adults.

Bedlam Insecticide Spray - Kills Bed Bugs, Lice, and Dust Mites (17 oz)

Check the current price

The Best Foaming Formula
Harris 5-Minute Bed Bug Killer is an effective foaming aerosol spray designed for spot treatment. It is approved by EPA for use on the entire mattress. The insecticide both kills insects on contact and provides a long-lasting 1-month residual.

Harris 5-Minute Bed Bug Killer min: photo

Check the current price

Natural Solution
Considered by experts to be the effective natural bed bug killer. Based on peppermint and clove oils, Bed Bug Killer Patrol is eco-friendly. It does not stain fabrics and can be applied directly to bedding.

Bed Bug Patrol Natural Bed Bug Killer Spray, Child & Pet Friendly, Non-Toxic, Suitable for Home, Office, Vehicles, Mattresses & Furniture, 1 Gallon - 24oz (1 Pack) - Bug Spray Bed Bug Spray - Bug Bye

Check the current price

The Scientists’ Opinion on How to Eliminate Bed Bugs

There is no magical panacea against bed bug infestation. IPM Program specialists confirm this and recommend combining chemical and non-chemical methods for the best control. Here are the most effective treatments.

1. Mattress protector. As the scientists claim (and real life experience attests to this), the majority of bed bugs (about 70%) settle in mattresses, box springs and bed frames.

That is why you should devote most effort to treating the mattress. Cover it in a special mattress protector for 12 months. Within this period, all the adults and larvae will starve inside it.

You may like:  LINENSPA Zippered Encasement, Bed Bug Proof Breathable Mattress Protector is the Best Seller in the Mattress Encasements category.

After that, you will have to destroy the remaining 30% of pests. What is the most effective way of doing this? What do entomologists have to say about various bed bug control solutions?

2. Bed Bug Killing Products: Liquid Insecticides and Dusts are best to eliminate serious infestations. The main aim of the insecticides is to kill insects in inaccessible places. The scientists distinguish both natural and chemical insecticides as well as Diatomaceous Earth among contact treatments.

You may like: Diatomaceous Earth is organic and completely safe for people and pets. Check the current price

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter Refill2, Controls Ants, Roaches, Spiders, and More, 1 gal.

Harris Toughest Bed Bug Killer, Liquid Spray with Odorless and Non-Staining Extended Residual Kill Formula (Gallon)

Ortho Home Defense is able to kill not only regular bed bugs and their eggs, but also pyrethroid-resistant insects. Check the current price.

Harris Bed Bug Liquid Killer with Deltamethrin as active component kills bed bugs fast on contact. Check the current price.

However, bear in mind that certain species have adapted to the pyrethroid insecticides. That’s why you should make sure the manufacturer states whether the product is effective against pyrethroid insecticide-resistant insects.

The ever-popular boric acid is, unfortunately, useless in this case. As the experts from the University of Nebraska Lincoln experts explain,, “boric acid is useful for cockroach control because roaches groom themselves and boric acid is a slow-acting stomach poison. Bed bugs cannot ingest it”.

3. Traps serve more as a monitoring rather than killing measure. The University of Minnesota experts consider them to be multifunctional. “Bed bug interceptors not only help to reduce the number of bed bugs that can reach the bed but also act as a monitoring tool to help determine whether bed bugs are present.” It is therefore sensible to use them during the entire process of eliminating the bloodsuckers. You will find more traps in our review of the Best Bed Bug Traps.

Foggers (Bug Bombs). Despite the common misconception, the scientists are positive that foggers and bug bombs are ineffective against any home pest insects. There is no effect because no poisonous fog droplets can reach the insects’ shelters and kill them there. Moreover, a reverse repelling effect is observed as the parasites hide even further down the cracks and breed there.

How Bed Bug Control Products Work | Effectiveness

Effectiveness Scale: 1 being the least, 10 being the most effective.

TypeAction / Effectiveness (1-10)
Mattress covers
LINENSPA Waterproof Smooth Top Premium Mattress Protector – Breathable and Hypoallergenic – Fitted Sheet Style Machine Washable Protector – Twin
Isolate the insects and doesn’t let them escape outside or enter inside the mattress. Effectiveness: 9
Insecticides
Harris Toughest Bed Bug Killer, Liquid Spray with Odorless and Non-Staining Extended Residual Kill Formula (Gallon)
The most powerful killer. Pyrethrins, pyrethroids, neonicotinoid, chlorfenapyr. Effectiveness: 10
Natural solutions
EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer Spray 1 Gallon Jug, Green + Non-Toxic, 100% Kill + Extended Protection
Geranium, clove, peppermint and other essential oils. Kills on contact. Effectiveness: 7
Diatomaceous Earth
Safer Home SH51703 OMRI Listed Diatomaceous Earth - Ant, Roach, Bedbug, Flea, Silverfish, Earwig, & Crawling Insect Killer
100% organic insect killing product. Dehydrates parasites to death on contact. Effectiveness: 8
Traps
Bed Bug Interceptors | Bed Bug Interceptor Traps | Insect Trap, Monitor, and Detector for Bed Legs (White - 12 pcs)
Means of parasite population monitoring. Effectiveness: 9

STEP#2 Monitoring

If you either still hesitate or you’ve been bitten by a bed bug or some other insect or haven’t been able to find their nest at home, try using traps. There are two types of such devices: plastic and sticky ones.

The former are the double plastic cup-holders to be placed under the bed legs which keep the bloodsuckers crawling off the bed inside one circle, and the ones crawling into the bed are kept in another one. Thus, being a 2-in-1 piece, the device allows you to track the movement of bugs and catch them.

Monitoring devices such as ClimbUp® are useful for confirming the presence of bed bugs when a visual inspection cannot. When installed under bed legs, they also provide a barrier between floor and bed which can potentially reduce bites, especially when beds are pulled slightly away walls and encased, as Michael F. Potter, Extension Entomologist, University of Kentucky confirms.

Climbup® Bed Bug Interceptor is the most popular product of this type today. Check the current price

Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Trap: Use in Your House or When Traveling, Part of a 3-Step Solution System, 2-Pack

 The following 3 items are considered to be the best sellers among top 100 products.

  • Sticky cardboards that can be placed anywhere and be used to monitor a variety of insect pests, including bed bugs. The idea of their operation is the same: when an insect touches the adhesive tape, it sticks to it and dies. Trapper Insect Trap (90-Pack) Check the current  price
  • Harris Bed Bug Killing Product (4-Pack) with lure Check the current price
  • Climbup® Insect Interceptor is the most popular product of this type today. Check the current price

STEP#3 Treat infested mattress

According to the entomologists, 70% of the bed bugs in the house settle in the mattress, box spring and bed frame during a typical infestation. That is one of the priority tasks is to treat the infected mattress and to protect the new one by using protective encasements.

Modern encasements are made of firm materials (polyurethane, polyester, etc.) the pores of which are smaller than the bed bugs so that you could lock up all existing blood-suckers and their larvae inside and prevent new ones from getting into the mattress from the outside.

Remember! The encasement should cover the mattress for a year as it is this period of time that is required for the captivated bed bugs to starve. If you happen to take the encasement off and then put it back on, you might as well start everything all over again.

Here is the #1 Bestseller in the Mattress Encasements category: LINENSPA Zippered Encasement Waterproof, Bed Bug Proof Breathable Mattress Protector. This encasement will protect your mattress from bed bugs and mites, and it is also waterproof.

LINENSPA Waterproof Smooth Top Premium Mattress Protector – Breathable and Hypoallergenic – Fitted Sheet Style Machine Washable Protector – Twin

It is really as good as it sounds, according to the customer feedback: “This is an excellent product. I purchased this to contain bed bugs that were on my mattress. I bought some diatomaceous earth and treated my bed first then placed the cover over the mattress. I’ve been sleeping like a baby ever since. No more bites.” The customers also add that it is nice to sleep on and it doesn’t rustle or cause sweating. You can get all of that for Check current price. Check current price.

Read our review of the 5 Best Bed Bug Mattress Protectors to find out which mattress encasement to pick, why vinyl analogues aren’t a good choice and whether your pillows require protection.

STEP#4 Use Organic Dusts

Here is what Michael F. Potter, Extension Entomologist,University of Kentucky recommends to those who cannot afford a professional exterminator:

Bed bug eradication is challenging, and it’s prudent to hire a professional when resources allow. However treatment can be expensive, often costing hundreds or thousands of dollars. Those who cannot afford this often must cope with the problem themselves. A useful step that anyone can take to combat bed bugs is to install bed encasements. Covering the mattress and box spring can help eliminate a substantial portion of the bed bug population. Bugs that are spotted can be removed with a vacuum, or killed with over-the-counter insecticides labeled for such use.

He noted that most bed bug insecticides intended for householders had little remaining effect after the stuff had dried. Therefore, it’s important to initially contact as many of the insects as possible. While such products as diatomaceous earth will kill bed bugs, boric acid powder is believed to be useless. Read a detailed review about Bed Bug Powders and Dusts.

Let’s start with Diatomaceous Earth, which is recommended by the scientists, as the bed bugs have not yet had time to get used to it and become resistant, which is, incidentally, confirmed by the EPA.

Safer Home SH51703 OMRI Listed Diatomaceous Earth - Ant, Roach, Bedbug, Flea, Silverfish, Earwig, & Crawling Insect Killer

Diatomaceous Earth is the remains of diatom algae composed of silicon dioxide. It is this compound that has an abrasive effect on many insects, including the bed bugs. It dries their armor – their exoskeleton, and the insects die.

That is why the bugs do not need to eat the powder to be poisoned and die, it will be just enough for them to touch it. In spite of such killing effect of its use, Diatomaceous Earth is organic and completely safe for people and pets. Check the current price

How should you use Diatomaceous Earth? You’ll need for that a special tool like Pest Pistol Mini Duster. You’ll have to treat all of the bed bug infestation hotbeds, be it cracks and crevices in the floor, walls, furniture, bed frame and the space around it, etc.

The scientists recommend refraining from using other pesticides along with the Diatomaceous Earth (but make sure you do apply other bed bug control ways) and being patient, as the bed bug killing can take up to 2 weeks.

The only downside of using Diatomaceous Earth is that this stuff will cover your entire room. If you want to use a cleaner product, pay attention to liquid insecticides which are trusted by the customers.

STEP#5 Treat Cracks and Crevices Using Liquid Insecticides

There are 7 chemical classes of insecticides for bed bug control: pyrethrins, pyrethroids, biochemicals, desiccants, neonicotinoids, pyrroles, and IGRs. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using various insecticides that differ in their mode of action. This will prevent the insects from developing resistance against the chemical compound of the substance.

Types. Experts from the University of Minnesota point out three types of insecticides that are believed to be effective in controlling bed bugs.

  • A fast-acting solution that kills the bugs on contact. It should be applied to surfaces you often touch, for example, sofas.
  • A residual insecticide that lasts longer and is intended for treating cracks, crevices, and spaces inside furniture.
  • Dusts are another good solution for cracks and crevices. They penetrate hard-to-reach areas easier and are often applied to the wall voids and beneath electrical appliances.

Harris Toughest Bed Bug Killer, Liquid Spray with Odorless and Non-Staining Extended Residual Kill Formula (Gallon)

One of the most popular products and well-known brands is Harris Bed Bug Killer. The company was established at the beginning of the 20th century and is now a reliable producer of pest control products and the U.S. oldest EPA-registered entity. The solution is based on Deltamethrin, which is a pyrethroid commonly used against bed bugs. It should be noted that high levels of bed bug resistance to deltamethrin have been recorded by scientists, therefore, it would be wise to alternate it with products that are based on different chemical compounds. Harris comes with an extended trigger sprayer for easy application. It doesn’t stain the surfaces and fabrics, nor does it have an offensive odor, something that makes it convenient to use.

FMC Transport GHP Insecticide 0.3oz

Transport GHP contains Acetamiprid and Bifenthrin, the active ingredients that belong to different chemical classes and, therefore, are less likely to develop resistance in bugs. While the Bifenthrin is pyrethroid, Acetamiprid is an organic compound from the neonicotinoid group. One pack includes 24 small bags, each of which should be mixed with one gallon of water. As a result, you will get 24 ready-to-use solutions. This is a wettable powder formula that works great for cracks and crevices. In fact, it is effective on all types of material. A scientific study has shown that the product kills nearly 90% of bed bugs when applied to wood, nylon, or fabric.

Bayer Temprid SC Insecticide: photo

Temprid SC Killer is a professional grade solution. The first active ingredient in this product is Imidacloprid that belongs to the neonicotinoid group and works by affecting the insect’s central nervous system. The other compound is Cyfluthrin from the pyrethroid group that has low toxicity to humans and is widely used as a household pesticide. This product is a powerful concentrate killing bugs on contact with long residue. With a volume of 13 ounces, this bottle is enough for 50 ready-to-use solutions.

Phantom Aerosol 12 (17.5 oz cans)

Another product used by professional pest control companies is a long-residue BASF Phantom. Its formula is based on Chlorfenapyr, a member of the pyrroles, which is a new chemical class. When a bed bug metabolizes the substance, it grows tired and dies. While being a potent insecticide, it can be toxic to humans and, therefore, you must not use this product to treat food preparation areas and beddings. As for mattresses, apply the solution only to seams and edges. It is considered to be the best ready-to-use aerosol in bed bug control that is capable of killing up to 70% of these pests. One can will be enough for 500 square feet of the property.

Steri-fab Bed Bug Spray Kit Bedbugs Killer Spray Sofa Furniture Mattress Bedbugs

Bedlam Insecticide Spray - Kills Bed Bugs, Lice, and Dust Mites (17 oz)

If you need low-toxicity products, opt for SteriFab™ ready-to-use solution that can be used for mattress treatment. This stuff does not kill bed bug eggs but is safer for use as it is the only non-residual product developed for bed bug control. You will get a container with the trigger sprayer and a gallon that serves as a refill for the container. Spray about 5 ounces of the liquid for a single bed and up to 8 ounces for a double bed. Apart from killing bed bugs, SteriFab sanitizes and deodorizes the treated area.

Bedlam is a more portable option with long residue that kills bed bug eggs and adults.

Ortho Home Defense Max Bed Bug Killer - Also Kills Fleas & Brown Dog Ticks, Spot Treatment, 18 oz

You may want to treat bed bug eggs separately as they are more difficult to control. To this end, choose egg killers like Harris and Ortho. These pressurized cans (16 and 18 ounces respectively) are great for treating both adults and eggs and will penetrate deep into the most narrow spots.

The Harris insecticide is based on Permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid that damages the insect’s nervous system, paralyzing it.

Ortho Home Defense provides a quick knockdown and long residue. In addition to Permethrin, it contains Imidacloprid as an active ingredient. The latter mimics nicotine and has been used in the U.S. for pest control for more than 20 years.

Cons of insecticides

While being the most effective way to get rid of bed bugs, there are a few downsides to using chemical insecticides. Not only can they be toxic to people, especially those with allergy, but they are also likely to develop resistance in the treated insects, something that reduces their effectiveness.

Nina Jenkins, a senior research associate at  Penn State University, mentions a problem related to bed bugs. Namely, these insects are difficult to control by traditional chemical insecticides because they tend to hide in cracks, crevices, under carpeting and other hard-to-reach areas. To be lethal, chemical insecticides require direct exposure for a long period of time. Therefore, you will have to do your best to apply the solution so that as many bed bugs are affected as possible. As a rule, it takes multiple applications to completely rid your home of bedbugs.

Use Natural Liquid Insecticides

If you do not want to use insecticides, there are a lot of natural liquid insecticides based on oils. Although many pest control experts doubt the effectiveness of the oil-based bug killing products as bed bugs are really very tenacious of life insects and learned to adapt to any kind of poison with time, give it a try if it is important to you to use all natural products.

The manufacturers promise that their liquid insecticides will eliminate the adult bugs, larvae, and eggs by direct contact of the liquid with the parasites.

How to kill bed bugs using such products? The stuff is to be applied to all open and hidden spots where the bugs can settle. In fact, this refers to all possible sites from the floor to ceiling, including the hideaway spots, such as sites behind the pictures, wallpapers, cracks in floors, walls, etc.

Among the best selling natural liquid insecticides in the Pest Control Sprayers category, you can find the Bug Control Product by EcoRaider for Check current price.

According to the manufacturer, this is “The only natural product kills bed bugs with 100% efficacy according to Entomological Society of America’s published study”. It is promised to kill the bed bugs at any life stage as well as to eliminate the resistant species.

EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer Spray 1 Gallon Jug, Green + Non-Toxic, 100% Kill + Extended Protection

FYI! Regardless of which product you’ve picked, don’t apply it spot-on as the bed bugs will get used to it and will simply flee to other places. You are supposed to treat the entire premises with it.

Also, while the room treatment does not cause any concerns, you have to be careful with the treatment of the linen. Even the natural liquid insecticides contain sls which is a synthetic sodium lauryl compound commonly used in household chemicals production and other products.

The United States Department of Agriculture specialists has proven that the prolonged contact of the sls with skin may result in dermatitis. Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, wait for a while before falling asleep on the treated bed sheets.

You can find more helpful products in our guide to picking the best bed bug spray

STEP#6 Wash All Of Your Clothes And Bed Sheets

Kill all bed bugs — the adults, larvae, and eggs — by washing all of your clothes and bed sheets at a high temperature (120°F). Try to steam clean those items you can’t wash.

Experts claim that this is one of the really effective measures to control bed bugs. Bear in mind that while washing in itself eliminates only a portion of the bed bugs, what kills all bed bugs is the heat of drying.

Before washing, sort out your clothes and bedding items into different piles depending on their washing instructions. So you will be able to wash the items at the highest allowable temperatures for each of them. Some clothes cannot be moistened and should be dry cleaned only.

After you have sorted the clothes, place each pile into a plastic bag and seal it tightly. This is crucial for preventing the bed bugs from crawling on other items like the carpet or curtains.

BED BUG DETERGENT- 50 Loads

Formula 4 Bed Bug Detergent to obtain better results. If you cannot do washing at high temperatures, this liquid will help you eradicate all pests in the infested fabrics. Use it alone or with a detergent.

Since the stuff is based on natural ingredients, feel free to apply it to sheets or pillowcases. “Are you sure your home dryer gets hot enough to kill the bugs? Commercial dryers have higher temperatures. The detergent kills what it comes in contact with. These creatures love to hide. This detergent I do know does help in the battle,” one user noted.

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STEP#7 Kill Bed Bugs By Heat

How to get rid of bed bugs using extreme heat? You may expose the furniture and mattress to the sun but this can be unrealizable or will not produce the desired result. Moreover, in case of a heavy infestation, you will have to do treat a lot of things and do it quite frequently. In this case, you should consider buying a thermal camera like Dr Infrared Heater.

This portable device has a quiet turbo fan that is designed to eliminate bed bugs. For your convenience, the heater is equipped with a 2-tier steel rack shelf. This will let you treat the items more thoroughly. The volume of the unit is 18 cubic feet.

Once turned on, the heater instantly reaches temperatures as high as 155°F eradicating bed bugs. For the record, bed bugs and their eggs die immediately at 122°F while during a heat treatment of the room that is carried out by professionals, the air temperature indoors usually does not exceed 145°F.

Apart from that, when professional exterminators treat the room with heat, the temperature should be held at that level for 3 hours.

Keep in mind that this entails some disadvantages. Primarily, some of the objects located in your room may be damaged. Secondly, as entomologists from Penn State University indicate,, treating the infested room with heat is effective for small spaces, for example, hotel rooms. In a large house it is unlikely to work since all areas of the building cannot be brought up to the same temperature. This is why having a portable heater is a good solution.

Dr Infrared Heater Upgraded Version 2-Tier 18 Cubic feet Portable Bedbug Heater with Thermometer and Timer, Black, Big (DR-122)

The product is very expensive (Check the current price) but, judging from customers’ experiences, this is great value for money. “Please do not believe the bad reviews given by people who think this is a solution to ridding their entire home of bed bugs. It is to be used as a prevention tool,” a buyer noted. “I found a dead bed bugs in the bottom of it after treating some things in it. I’ve also been running it 3 times a day for a month straight in preparation for an upcoming relocation, and it hasn’t broke down yet,” another customer said.

STEP#8 Killing Bed Bugs By Hand

Just pick up insects and physically destroy them. Entomologists from theUniversity of Minnesota suggest  bed bug handpicking as one of the measures reducing the number of these pests indoors but point out that it is not 100% effective.

Once you have captured a bed bug, squash it or simply remove using a sticky tape. Although being a labor-consuming solution, killing bed bugs by hand will significantly lower the infestation if you do it regularly.

What items do you need to succeed? Put on a pair of gloves and take tweezers to pick up bed bugs. Then, place them in a small container and throw it into the trash.

Or you may resort to another tactic. Take a flashlight, old credit card or something like that, hot soapy water, and several plastic bags. Force the pests out with the help of the flashlight and by pushing the card along cracks. Note that the card should be plastic.

Check a baseboard on both sides — that adjacent to the floor and that along the wall. You may get bed bugs stuck to a tape or wipe them out with hot soapy water.

GearLight LED Flashlights - Mini Camping Flashlights with High Lumens, 5 Modes, Zoomable Beam - Powerful, Bright, and Versatile for Outdoor and Home Use

Using a flashlight is crucial because bed bugs always hide in dark spots, particularly in cracks. Since they can be not only brown but light brown as well, it will be hard to detect them without the bright light directed into the harborage.

Hold the flashlight in line with the treated area so that eggs and larvae cast a shadow. This will help you reveal much more pests. Since you need a really bright flashlight, take a device fitted with LED bulbs. GearLight Tactical S1000 LED Flashlight (2-pack) seems to be the best bet.

This flashlight generates a large area floodlight or a focused spotlight, depending on the set mode. While being a powerful flashlight, it is a compact and easy-to-use product. According to the customer feedback, the device can be successfully used for this purpose: “These are nice bright flashlights, also sturdy. My son uses them at work, looking in tight areas for bugs,” a buyer noted.

STEP#9 How To Prevent Bed Bugs From Entering Your House

Prevention is the best way of combating an infestation, given that bed bugs have weak mouthparts and claws making them unable of tearing the thinnest sealant or cloth. So, take advantage of their biological peculiarities and block all possible access inside the building.

Once you have sealed and covered with a material all openings and cracks, the movement of bed bugs will be stopped. This will reduce the intensity of their biting for a certain period of time.

Look for cracks and crevices on the walls as well as along baseboards. Caulk them with a silicone sealant. Also, seal openings around pipes or other structures passing through walls, floors and ceilings.

Bed bugs can move to an adjacent room through electrical, heat and phone line conduits. For this reason, you should monitor these sites and, if any pest activity is detected, be sure to block the infestation from both sides of the wall.

Loctite Clear Silicone Sealant, 2.7 fl oz, 6 Pack - 100% Waterproof Sealant for Glass, Ceramic, Wood, Plastic & More

You should better use a waterproof silicone sealant like Loctite which can be purchased on at a low price.

This product made of 100% silicone is designed for sealing door frames, windows, and vents, as well as for weather-stripping and other purposes. It can be applied to a variety of materials from glass and wood to stainless steel and marble.

Loctite:  “I used it to seal in between the logs (I have a log house) that had a small gap to keep the rain out…and I used it to seal a leak in the rain gutter. It works great for things like that,” a buyer said.

Scientists from NYC  indicate a number of signs showing that bed bugs move between the rooms in the house:

  • The pests were detected in ceiling light fixtures
  • You saw them crawling out of electrical or switch plates as well as their droppings in the area
  • You have encountered bed bugs in the sites untypical for them, such as the bathroom where the insects can get moving along water pipes.

A good option for preventing the movement of bed bugs between rooms is installing a door sweep, such as Fowong ZH-83 WCDW003 available on for ~Check current price.

GroTheory 2 Door Draft Stopper, Under Door Sweep for Exterior & Interior Doors, Weather Stripping Door Seal, Garage Window Blocker Noise Cold Air Insulation, Draft Guard White 2" W x 39" L

The product has two layers and is made of an eco-friendly silicone. It is designed to create a physical obstacle for the insects so that they cannot get into another room through the doorway. Fowong strip will stop even the tiniest insects as it closes a gap of 0 to 28 mm.

This sweep door is easy to install for which no tool is required. If needed, this 39 inch long strip can be cut to size with heavy duty scissors.  “I installed two of these strips along the side of the door on the inside and outside, and now no more bugs or weather!”  He also recommended cleaning the surface well before putting the strip on.

STEP#10 Call An Exterminator

No matter how hard you’ve tried, there is always a chance to fail. Do not blame yourself for that. If the infestation is heavy, it is not an easy task to cope with bed bugs. In this case, you should rely on professional operators. They are more skilled, experienced and they have a special-purpose equipment. Also, many strong insecticides are of restricted use and cannot be purchased by homeowners, only licensed professionals are allowed to use them.

So, exterminators have arrived. But even then you should not adopt a passive stance but, instead, you should do your best to cooperate with them. Scientists from they Michigan State University have revealed that, according to research, those who cooperate with exterminators can make the eradication process much shorter.

  • Do not enter the house, nor should you air or vacuum the room until you are allowed to. Exterminators will tell you how long you should wait.
  • Look for surviving bed bugs after the treatment is completed. It is possible that some unhatched eggs may survive. This fact does not imply that the operators did their job poorly. It is a common practice to treat the room repeatedly in two weeks because the survived eggs will hatch causing a new infestation.
  • If pest management professionals conclude that the treatment has not produced the desired results, they may suggest combining several methods. You should follow their recommendations to get rid of bed bug completely.
  • After the treatment, set sticky tapes or cardboards to monitor the presence of the pests in the rooms.

In what cases can a bed bug treatment be ineffective? First, it occurs when not all sources of the infestation have been detected. Secondly, not all sites have been treated. Thirdly, when insecticides have turned out to be not effective enough. Fourthly, you removed some infested items before the treatment and then brought them back with bugs alive and kicking. Anyway, whatever you are going to do, first consult your pest management operator.

Bed Bug DIY Treatment Products Comparison Chart

ProductType /

Effectiveness

How does it work?
Harris Pest Control Product Chemical liquid solution for killing pests.

Fast.

Kills insects on contact.
Ortho Home Defense Dual-Action Pest Killing Product Chemical liquid pest control product.

Fast.

Kills insects on contact.
Climbup Insect Interceptor Plastic capturing device.

Early detection only.

Provides a barrier between floor and bed. Talc powder is optional for best results.
Dr Infrared Heater Thermal camera for treating infected objects.

High.

Quickly reaches 120-155F in minutes and effectively kills insects in infested objects.
LINENSPA Zippered Mattress Protector Mattress protector.

High, but slow.

Locks all existing insects and their larvae inside.
Safer Diatomaceous Earth Organic 100% Natural.

Fast.

Kills insects on contact.

Trapper Insect Trap

Sticky tape.
(Pack of 90) Early detection only.
Catches bed bugs at all stages of development. Upon contact with the adhesive tape, the bug sticks to it and dies.
Harris Killing Product with food lure Sticky tape.
(Pack of 4) /Early detection only.
Lures and kills insects.
Hot Shot 95911-1 Fogger
Hot Shot No-Mess! Fogger With Odor Neutralizer, Kills Hidden Bugs, No Need To Turn Off Pilot Lights 3 Count (Pack of 6) Check Price
Insecticide bug bomb.

Not effective according to scientists.

Very little insecticide actually penetrates into cracks, voids, and other hidden locations where household pests congregate and spend most of their time.
Pest Pistol Mini Duster
Harris Diatomaceous Earth Powder Duster with 6 Inch Extension Nozzle for Indoor and Outdoor Use Check Price
A tool for sprinkling dry insecticides.

It helps to sprinkle dry insecticides into cracks and crevices.
Formula 4 Bed Bug Detergent Bed Bug Laundry Treatment, natural ingredients.

Can be used without a detergent.

Kill bed bugs during laundry.
Loctite Sealant 100% Silicone and waterproof.

Can be applied to various surfaces and materials — from stainless steel to wood.

Seals cracks and crevices preventing bed bugs from entering the house or moving between the rooms.
Fowong ZH-83 WCDW003 A door sweep made of silicone.

Stops even the smallest bugs as it closes a gap of 0 to 28 mm.

Prevents bugs from getting into the adjacent room through the doorway.
GearLight Tactical S1000 Flashlight LED Flashlight (2 packs)

It can generate a large area floodlight or a focused spotlight.

Should be used to detect bed bugs in dark sites like cracks where they normally hide.
Bug Control Product by EcoRaider Natural liquid pest control product.

Fast.

Kills insects on contact.

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How To Make Your Own Bed Bug Trap?

Let’s have a look at recipes suggested by specialists, You will need 10 tbsp of sugar, 2 tbsp of yeast and one and a half liters of warm water. Pour the mixture into a cup and place the container on top of the overturned pet bowl. Let the solution stay overnight.

Yeast makes sugar release CO2 which is a strong attractant for bugs as it mimics vapors of the human body. Be sure these pests will detect the attractant even though they are far away from the site where your homemade capturing device is set.

However, this solution has some downsides. First, if you sleep in the bedroom nearby, your body will surely be a more powerful attractant. Second, the effect of the yeast-based lure lasts for about 8 hours. This means that you should prepare the mixture every day.

Another recipe requires dry ice which will serve the same function as yeast. Put this ingredient in an open thermos with a volume of one and a half liters. Place it on the overturned pet bowl with its outer walls tapped and covered with talc. Do not put too much talc, just a thin layer. This will not let the captured bug detach from the substance. The advantage of this recipe over the previous one lies in the duration of the effect lasting about 12 hours.

How To Kill Bed Bugs By Freezing Them To Death?

Apart from the extreme heat, freezing is what kills bed bugs as well. The temperature should be below 32°F and maintained at this level for a week or more. In case you hire exterminators, the process will be much faster as they have a special equipment for that. For example, there are commercial steamers or spot-freezing types of equipment exploited by professionals.

However, when it comes to small items, such as shoes and telephones, you can manage them on your own. Wrap them in plastic bags and place in a freezer. It takes at least 4 days to eliminate the infestation. Bear in mind that leaving the infested clothes outdoors in winter is not effective because only a portion of the bed bugs will be killed.

Scientists from Purdue University have told about a new commercial technology exploiting CO2 stored at low temperatures “to deposit a super-cooled snow on materials that kills bed bugs and other pests by rapid freezing”. According to them, this specific snow “evaporates into a gas, without leaving behind any residue”.

And yet, freezing bed bugs entails a number of disadvantages. First, freezing does not provide residual protection. Secondly, even the equipment used by professionals poorly penetrate certain materials like wood.

All You Should Know: Who Are the Bed Bugs, Where Do They Settle and How Do You Get Them?

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Bed bugs are long (up to ¼ inch long) wingless brown beetles with an oval flat torso and three pairs of short legs. As the New York State IPM Program put it, it, “they are also known as: Cimex lectularius, chinches de camas, chintzes or chinches, mahogany flats, red coats, crimson ramblers, wall lice, the bug that nobody knows, lentils on legs, animated blood drops”.

As the EPA specialists have accurately mentioned, a hungry bed bug looks like an apple seed. This hallmark is easy to bear in mind to recognize this parasite easily. They feed on blood, and its body swells considerably and takes deep red color (it can even become as dark as black). If you happen to come across a whole bunch of these insects, you’ll feel an unpleasant sweet odor which is exuded by the special glands at the bottom of their body.

Insect Sticky Traps 8Pk- “BUG beds” Decorative Glue Pads, Aesthetic, Non-Toxic, Indoor, Pest Control- Mouse, Spider, Bed Bug, Cockroach, Brown Recluse, Cricket, Grasshopper, Gecko, Beetle, Scorpion

These insects are extremely human-centered as humans are perceived as the center of the universe and an infinite source of food. Eating every 5-10 days and a temperature of 80° F are considered to be perfect conditions for the bed bugs’ life and breeding.

Without food or if the temperature falls below 60° F, they hibernate and their metabolic processes are slowed down. They fall asleep till better days. According to the University of California Statewide IPM Program, they can remain in such state for up to 400 days.

That’s why you should repeat treatment every 7-10 days and it can take a minimum of 6-8 weeks. Alternatively, they are forced to attack warm-blooded animals, but this is a much rarer scenario.

How Do You Get Bed Bugs?

As you can imagine, insects do not appear out of nowhere, there is always a reason for their infestation. Here are some of the possible causes of bed bugs:

1. Tourism. At the moment, it is this huge-scale migration of people across the globe that generates more and more hotbeds of bed bug infestations. Here’s how it works: you travel, spend the night at a new place in and they crawl into your things in your suitcase, and you’re taking them home in it. That’s it. Then it will be like a time bomb. Having two little bugs will be enough to breed and make your sleep a living hell.

2. Neighbors. Since they are great runners and can run up to 100 feet, it won’t be difficult for them to cover the distance between points A and B. We can’t guarantee that your place won’t become point B. If your neighbors are infested by the bed bugs, you are potentially endangered as well. Certain scientists believe that they can travel via a central heating duct.

3. Large crowds, be it dry cleaning or laundry facilities, airports, hotels, schools, libraries, offices, shops, public transport, theaters, etc. Unfortunately, you can catch a bug in any of these places, so bear in mind some basic rules: check your clothing and carry-on luggage once you return home if there is the slightest suspicion of bed bug infestation (for example, if you saw any bugs crawling in the laundry room).

By the way: your kids can catch not only bed bugs at school, but also some head lice. Find out which actions should be taken in this case from our Guide on How to Kill Lice.

4. Buying Used Furniture. Yes, the bugs can move in with you along with the used closet or dresser you purchased. They can even arrive with new furniture, in case they inhabit the factory where it was made or the furniture store.

Where Can They Settle In Your House?

After the bugs manage to get into your house, they settle somewhere inconspicuous, such as behind the wallpaper, outlets, carpets, paintings, cracks, moldings, baseboards, etc. Their favorite spots are still the bed (mattress, frame corners, as well as bed linen) and wooden furniture. You would be, however, gravely mistaken, if you believe that they limit themselves to inhabiting a single room.

As the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists explain, “Typically, an infestation starts in one room and spreads slowly to other places where people sleep”. That’s why they recommend deciding on a single place to sleep at your house and stick to the choice. Otherwise, they will follow you as they are used to live at a distance of up to 8 feet away from human beings.

How to Tell If You Have Bed Bugs

Suppose, they have already infested your house, what should be done? Do not panic and do not rush to look for insecticides right away. Follow the 7 steps outlined below and you will already be on the halfway to the victory over the blood-sucking insects. But first, you need to be 100% sure that it is the bed bugs that are in front of you.

How to Avoid Infestation?

It’s not difficult to prevent the appearance of the bed bugs if you are vigilant and follow these rules:

At home:

  • Clean the rooms more often.
  • Use protective encasements, and in case, you take it off, turn the mattress more often and check the seams around the perimeter.
  • Have a spare liquid insecticide in order not to waste time buying it in case you find a bed bug.
  • If necessary, make repairs, seal the cracks in the floor, firmly attach the skirting boards, etc.
  • Throw away old trash and wooden furniture that you do not use.
  • Check the second-hand wooden furniture when buying.

During & after traveling:

  • Use protective cases for the suitcases.
  • Don’t put the suitcase on the hotel furniture, use a special luggage stand only if it is available.
  • Be cautious when buying large wooden items or furniture when traveling as they can be infested.
  • Once you get back, take ALL of your stuff (even new and clean things) to the laundry.

How Dangerous Are Bed Bugs for Humans?

We can barely call these insects lovely roommates. The first thought that comes to mind at the sight of these swarming creatures is disgust and aversion as no one wants to live in a room infested with bed bugs.

Some hypersensitive people can even be stressed by the bed bugs’ presence, the quality and quantity of their sleep will deteriorate, and they can develop a “persecution mania” (the feeling that they still live in the house even after you killed them).

How really dangerous are human parasites and do their bites carry any diseases? Fortunately, the scientists agree that at the moment no clear relationship between the bed bugs’ bites and occurrence of certain diseases has been identified.

Dr. Stephen A. Kells and Jeff Hahn from the  University of Minnesota confirm this: “Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease to people. They have been discovered to harbor 28 different human pathogens, but fortunately, the transmission of these diseases to people has not been demonstrated”.

However, should you be hypersensitive to the substances the bed bugs emit with their saliva when biting, you can find yourself having an allergy, and such complications as the nettle-rash and others. However, as the U.S. National Library of Medicine reports, these cases rarely occur. Still, we have to warn you of the symptoms that should alert you:

  • if the small bites turned into big red spots;
  • sudden fever;
  • increased blood pressure;
  • breathing difficulty;
  • fatigue and lightheadedness.

Pay attention to any potential symptoms that are not typical of your healthy state, provided that you are not sick at the moment, and the symptoms have appeared after these blood-suckers’ bites. Consult a doctor once you experience any of them. Learn more about Bed Bug Bites in our article.

Bed bug Treatment Infographic

Fighting the bed bugs is a long and complicated task in coping with which you will only succeed if you are consistent and if you follow our recommendations. Practice a systematic approach to this unpleasant business by combining modern means of cleaning with the protective bed encasement and using the insecticidal liquids. Such a formula will result in a bed bug-free house and your sound sleep.

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11 thoughts on “How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Fast: Scientifically Approved Products and Methods | Bed Bug Fogger Effectiveness”

    1. No, they are not sticky, because it’s not necessary. There is talc inside a trap, and thanks to this, bed bugs can’t crawl the walls, because they become too slippery. Optionally, you can replace it with Diatomaceous Earth — but even without this replacement, everything will work well…

        1. Yes, they do. But it is just an additional tool to monitor bed bugs. If you want to kill them you need to use powerful sprays and purchase special bed bug mattress covers.

  1. Diatomaceous Earth, after my landlord did the heat and chemicals this cheap dust does the trick. IT WILL WORK, just keep putting it down. Get rid of your bed and sleep on air mattresses until you get them gone, IT WORKS!! Do not waste your money on anything else just keep up with it and it will kill off almost any infestation. I cannot stress enough, USE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH, they cannot and never will be immune to it, it is like if you walked or crawled through broken glass, you will bleed out, so do the bugs in a way, they cannot become immune to something like that. It would be like them being immune to be squashed, not going to happen.

  2. Oh, I use LENENSPA Mattress Protector, and for me it’s just a godsend! They perfectly protect from unwanted pests, and waterproof. They deliver a little noise, but these are trivia. Very soft, and pleasant.

  3. I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I’m quite certain I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

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