If you’ve just discovered bugs, you may be wondering: realistically, how long does it take to get rid of bed bugs? How long it takes to eliminate bed bugs can vary depending on a few factors:
- What treatment method you are using.
- Whether or not you live next to an infestation in an apartment building.
- If you frequently visit a place with bed bugs.
Let’s dive into the reality of the bed bug elimination process. No sugar-coating here – it’s crucial to understand that it takes time and effort. It’s not typical to still have bed bugs after 3 treatments. In most cases, bed bugs are eradicated quicker than this.
But don’t worry; armed with a solid action plan, you’ll find those bed bugs are nothing more than an unpleasant memory. Stick around as we guide you through the process of ridding your home of bed bugs so you can catch some well-deserved Zzzz.
Identifying the Bed Bug Infestation
Step one when treating a bed bug infestation is proper identification. Check out our list of other types of bugs in beds.
Bed Bug Signs
It’s essential to know the signs of bed bugs in your home. Keep an eye out for:
- Tiny black dots: Bed bug poop appears like small black stains on your bedding, bed frame, wall, moldings, couch, chairs, and surrounding areas.
- Tiny reddish-brown bugs: Bed bugs are flat, oval-shaped, and about the size of an apple seed.
- Dark Stains on sheets: Early bed bug stains on sheets are a common sign.
- Unexplained bites: You might have bed bugs if you wake up with mysterious, itchy red bites. However, if you say to yourself, “No signs of bed bugs, but I have bites,” you’ll want to consider other types of bugs or allergies.
- Molted bed bug skins: Bed bugs shed their skin about five times as they grow, so watch out for these bed bug shells!
Checking the Severity
Once you’ve spotted the signs, assess how severe the infestation is. Use these steps to help determine the extent of the problem:
- Inspect your bedding: Remove your sheets and check your mattress, headboard, bed frame, and box spring for any signs mentioned above. If you are seeing this many black ink spots (like the photo above) you have a more severe bed bug issue. Get yourself a bright flashlight, illuminating the area will you spot signs.
- Look in your furniture: Bed bugs love hiding in nooks and crannies, so remember to check your dressers, nightstands, and other furniture pieces close to your bed. And don’t forget couches and chairs.
- Investigate your walls and floors: Bed bugs could lurk in baseboards, rugs (learn more here: do bed bugs live in a carpet?), and even electrical outlets. Pay close attention to any cracks or crevices.
- Track down the source: If you’ve recently traveled or had overnight guests, the infestation might have come from one of them. However, don’t make yourself crazy trying to figure out where they came from if nothing sticks out in your mind.
Remember, the more evidence you find, the more severe your bed bug infestation might be. Stay vigilant and determined – bed bugs are solvable!
Effective Bed Bug Treatment Methods: Realistically, How Long Does It Take To Get Rid of Bed Bugs?
The good news is that several effective methods are available to eliminate bed bugs. Read and learn more about what kills bed bugs instantly. To note, there are many other methods and chemicals for treating bed bugs, this is just a short list of the more common ones.
We, humans, have more knowledge of the bug’s behavior and what kinds of chemicals they are resistant to. All of this research allows us to use an integrated pest management plan with many modes of attack.
Aprehend Bed Bug Treatment
Don’t just rely on traditional chemical treatments – consider Aprehend! Aprehend is a cutting-edge, non-toxic, and eco-friendly bed bug treatment. It contains naturally occurring fungal spores (Beauveria bassiana) that target and kill bed bugs for up to three months after application.
In most cases, when you couple Aprehend with another treatment method, you can expect complete eradication within a few weeks. Check out the Aprehend case studies here.
Realistically, how long does it take to get rid of bed bugs using Aprehend treatment?
In most cases, you can expect complete bed bug eradication within a few weeks to a month using Aprehend. This is why acting quickly after spotting the signs is essential – the sooner you start treatment, the quicker your home will be free of bed bugs!
Aprehend works by slowing spreading throughout your environment after application. Furthermore, it’s essential to follow the instructions to a T.
Each pest professional certified to use Aprehend will generally leave you with instructions on how to interact with the Aprehend in your home after it is applied.
If, for some reason, they don’t, you’ll need to call or email them to ask for dos and don’t list for post Aprehend application.
DIY Treatments
Some people choose to tackle bed bug problems on their own. We don’t recommend this, but some folks might need to implement a DIY method rather than hire a bed bug specialist due to a lack of money.
DIY treatment methods can prolong the eradication. Especially if you are using products that are not strong enough to kill the bed bugs and you cause them to scatter into further to reach areas.
If you have a minor infestation, here are some successful DIY methods:
- Vacuuming: Regularly vacuuming your home can remove live bed bugs and their eggs. Learn more about what the best vacuum for bed bugs is here.
- Putting things through the dryer: Heat kills bed bugs, so putting your items in a high-heat setting for at least 30 minutes can help.
- Steam cleaning: Use a high-temperature steam machine to kill bed bugs hiding in fabrics.
- Encasements: Encase your mattress and box spring in bed bug-proof encasements to trap bed bugs inside and monitor for future infestations.
Realistically, how long does it take to get rid of bed bugs using DIY treatment methods?
It varies depending on the severity of your infestation and how well you can follow up with treatments. In general, if done correctly, you can expect DIY treatments to take a few weeks to several months to rid your home of bed bugs.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to predict exactly how long it will take, as every infestation is different.
Therefore, we recommend seeking professional help when dealing with bed bug infestations – they are better equipped to quickly and thoroughly eradicate the pests from your home.
Chemical Treatment (Crossfire)
Introducing Crossfire – a powerful chemical treatment blend designed to combat bed bugs! Crossfire is the result of extensive research and development and has displayed great success in eliminating bed bug populations.
Its unique formula (Clothianidin – 4% and Metofluthrin – 0.1%) plus a synergistic PBO (Piperonyl Butoxide – 10%) affects both adult bed bugs and eggs, completely eradicating bed bugs. In many studies, Crossfire is shown to work on pyrethroid-resistant bed bugs.
We do not recommend using Crossfire unless you are a licensed pest professional.
How long will it take to get rid of bed bugs using a chemical treatment?
It depends on the individual situation, but usually about 6-8 weeks. To be sure the infestation is eliminated, we recommend getting a second treatment 2-3 weeks after the first one.
Heat Treatment
Heat treatment is an excellent option for immediate bed bug extermination. By raising the room’s temperature to about 122°F (50°C) for several hours, bed bugs and their eggs will be unable to survive.
The heat method is also particularly effective for large infestations and hard-to-reach or cluttered areas. You’ll need to enlist the help of a bed bug specialist company when you are doing heat treatment.
Realistically, how long does it take to get rid of bed bugs using a heat treatment?
If you hire a heat treatment company, you can eradicate bed bugs in one shot using heat treatment. The company will frequently spray a chemical barrier in case any stragglers get away. However sometimes bed bugs can escape the heat, find a cool pocket to hang out, like in a wall, and then come back.
Green Treatment
Many environmentally friendly bed bug treatments can help combat infestation without harsh chemicals.
Some of these include diatomaceous earth (DE) and essential oil based products (like Cedar), which are lethal to bed bugs but relatively safe for your household.
They can help you embrace a healthier, eco-conscious approach to exterminating bed bugs! However, it’s important to mention that diatomaceous earth powder is only labeled for wall voids or places where it will not become air born. Learn more about how to use diatomaceous earth safely.
Furthermore, breathing in diatomaceous earth powder is harmful, and we do not suggest it as a good solution.
Realistically, how long does it take to get rid of bed bugs using a green treatment?
It all depends on how bad your infestation was and if you are re-introducing bed bugs into your environment. On average, it can generally take 1-5 months to eliminate bed bugs with green treatment.
Cryonite Bed Bug Treatment
Introducing Cryonite – a revolutionary bed bug treatment that freezes bed bugs and their eggs on contact. This method is non-toxic, non-flammable, and leaves no residue!
It uses frozen carbon dioxide (CO2) to kill the bugs instantly. It’s essential to be thorough when using this method – as some bed bugs may survive.
How long will it take to get rid of bed bugs using Cryonite?
The time frame can vary, but complete eradication usually takes between immediate death and four weeks. Sometimes, they must return for a second and third treatment (each case is unique).
It’s important to note that you can use this method in combination with other treatments, such as vacuuming, chemical barrier, and encasements.
Preparing Your Home for Treatment
Get ready to make your home bed bug-free! To ensure success in your fight against bed bugs, follow these steps to prepare your home for treatment.
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Decluttering and Cleaning
First, let’s tackle decluttering! Remove unnecessary items from your home, as bed bugs can hide in clutter. Recycle, or throw away things you don’t need. Keep essentials organized in tightly sealed containers.
Clean every nook and cranny; vacuum floors, furniture, curtains, and rugs to remove bed bugs, eggs, and debris. Remember to clean inside drawers and closets too! The less clutter means that the bugs will have fewer places to hide.
However, it’s important to mention that decluttering may spread or worsen the bed bug situation. So you should consult your pest control professional before removing anything from your home.
Laundering and Sealing Items
Now, it’s time for laundering and sealing! Bed bugs can’t stand extreme temperatures, so put your bedding, clothes, curtains, and any other washable items into a hot dryer (at least 120°F) and dry them on high heat for at 35-45 minutes.
To note: most dryers are considered “high heat” on the cotton setting. Check out this in depth article on: how bed bugs die in the dryer.
Additionally, most bed bug specialist companies do not require a lot of prep, so it’s essential to abide by the rules of whatever company you are using to treat bed bugs.
Many of the bed bug specialist companies around the NYC area do the “low prep method.” So you do not have to waste time bagging items.
Preventing Future Infestations
Woohoo! You’ve finally gotten rid of bed bugs! Now, let’s make sure these parasites never come back. In this section, we’ll explore some simple yet effective steps you can take to prevent future infestations.
Regular Inspections
First things first: regular bed bug inspections are essential! Check your home every few months, paying close attention to bedrooms, furniture, and small nooks. This way, you can detect an infestation early before it gets out of hand.
To make the process even more thorough, follow these tips:
- Use a flashlight to check in dark corners
- Look for tiny dark spots on mattresses, bed frames, headboards, box springs, couches, chairs, and sheets
- Inspect any luggage or bags after traveling
Staying vigilant will help you keep bed bugs at bay!
Traps and Monitors
Now let’s discuss traps and monitors. Traps work by catching bed bugs as they travel across your floors while monitors detect them in their hiding spots.
Bed bug traps can be purchased online or at local home improvement stores. They are an excellent tool for detecting infestations early so that you can take preventive action before the situation gets out of hand.
Protective Encasements
Next up, let’s talk about protective encasements. These handy covers can work wonders in keeping bed bugs out of your mattress and box spring.
As a bonus, they also help protect against allergens and dust mites. However, you’ll need to consult with your pest professional to ask when to put one on; you don’t want to hinder the treatment process.
When selecting encasements, keep these factors in mind:
- Opt for “bed bug proof” or “allergen proof.”
- Make sure it fits your mattress and box spring snugly
- Choose encasements made from durable materials like polyester
- 100% Waterproof - Six-sided premium mattress protector blocks perspiration, bed wetting, liquids and stains; 10-year quality guarantee (NOTE: For frequent accidents and easy clean-ups, place a fitted SureGuard Mattress Protector over the encasement).
- Bed Bug Proof - Super fine zipper with Invisi-Zip and SureSeal technology completely seals off the mattress from bed bugs - use with a SureGuard Box Spring Encasement
- Keeps Your Mattress Clean & Fresh - Blocks dust, dirt and dander on all sides.
- Soft & Noiseless - 100% cotton terry top; Wicks away moisture; Retains the feel of your mattress - Free from Vinyl, PVC, Phthalates, fire retardants and other toxic chemicals
- Twin (39 in x 75 in) - Fits 6 to 8 inches deep; Zippered Mattress Encasement - Machine wash and dry. Independently lab tested and GREENGUARD Gold certified.
By using protective encasements, you’re monitoring for bed bugs and making your sleep environment cleaner and more comfortable.
Recovery Time and Follow-up
Great news! You’ve taken the necessary steps to combat bed bugs. Now it’s time to discuss the recovery period and follow-up actions. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered!
After professional treatment, you can expect to see a significant reduction in bed bugs within 1-2 weeks. However, remember that complete eradication may take several weeks or even months, depending on the severity of the infestation.
The key is to stay diligent and be persistent!
You’ll want to continue monitoring for any signs of bed bugs during this time. Grab a flashlight and regularly inspect your bed, furniture, and other hiding spots.
If you find any evidence of bed bug activity, don’t hesitate to consult with your pest management professional to address the issue promptly. Early detection can save you time and effort in the long run!
Stay organized during this recovery period by:
- Washing and drying your bedding, curtains, and clothes on high heat.
- Vacuuming your space frequently, including headboards, bedframes, carpets, baseboards, and furniture. Be sure to ask the treatment company if it’s ok to vacuum (you don’t want to disturb the treatment process)
- Using interceptor cups or other traps to prevent and monitor for future infestations.
Most importantly, stay patient and don’t get discouraged. You’re on the right track! Keep up the excellent work; soon enough, you’ll say goodbye to bed bugs for good. Way to go!
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