How to Get Rid of Bedbugs
Alongside any professional treatment, you should clean infested areas and kill any bedbugs you find. Using an upholstery attachment, thoroughly vacuum your mattress and box spring, focusing on seams, crevices, and folds. Vacuum under and around the bed, behind the headboard, and around any other furniture near the bed where bedbugs could harbor. When you’ve finished vacuuming, carefully remove the vacuum bag and immediately seal it in a garbage bag to discard.
If you want to save expensive vacuum bags and you’re using a hose vacuum, the bedbug experts we spoke to suggested a trick: take a knee-high nylon stocking and pull the opening of the stocking over the hose attachment, with the stocking dangling over the end. Secure the stocking tightly with a rubber band, and turn on the vacuum. The suction will pull the stocking into the hose, and trap the bugs, cast skins, and eggs in the fabric (eggs are often sticky, and may require strong suction to remove). Turn off the vacuum and carefully remove the stocking, tie the end, and discard.
Remove sheets, pillows, and any clothing, towels, stuffed animals, or textiles that may have been exposed to bedbugs, and carefully seal them up in heavy-duty garbage bags. When you’re ready, remove these items and loosely pack them in the dryer. Run it on the hottest cycle for 30 minutes to kill any bugs or eggs. (If the items aren’t otherwise dirty, you don’t need to wash them first.)
Once you’ve heat-treated, you may want to store some of these items in airtight plastic bins like the Iris Weathertight Totes until the infestation is over, to avoid recontamination.
Decluttering and tidying the affected space will make it easier to treat your infestation. Fully seal trash in heavy-duty garbage bags and remove the bags immediately. Experts don’t advise throwing out mattresses or furniture if you have bedbugs. This, too, can spread bugs around your home or to others. If you do decide to discard your mattress (and check with your PCO first), seal it fully in a tear-proof plastic cover (many cities require this).
