How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

There are a few ways to figure out if you have a bed bug infestation - it's important to note that this can happen to anyone as bed bugs latch onto clothing, bedding, second-hand furniture, and more. This also means that you might accidentally bring bed bugs into your home because someone else has been in contact with them!

Some of the ways to spot if you have a bed bug infestation include:

1. Seeing the bed bugs themselves

Perhaps the easiest way to know if you have an infestation is to simply see a bed bug. They are small insects but can be visible to the naked eye if you look over your bedding and furniture! Although, this isn't a guarantee, and there's a high chance you might not see any bed bugs at all.

2. Physical reactions to bed bug bites

You might also notice some physical signs of bed bugs on either yourself or your furniture. If you've been exposed to bed bugs at night, you might notice tiny bites on your skin. According to the NHS, these bites will look red on white skin, purple on black or brown skin, and itchy or swollen.

3. Spots of blood on your bedding

If you spot small blood marks on your bedding, this could be a sign of a bed bug infestation. These stains could be blood from the bites on your skin or any bed bugs you've rolled onto in your sleep.

4. Brown spots on your bedding

(This one is gross, we know) - but little brown spots on your bedding can also indicate bed bugs, as this could be bed bug excrement. If you've got a significant infestation, you'll likely notice more brown spots on your bedding.

5. A musty odour in your bedroom

If you’ve noticed a musty odour in your bedroom, and there is no apparent cause, it could mean you have a bed bug infestation. This smell can be caused by several things – from dead bed bugs to their faecal matter. And it’s worth noting, the longer the infestation continues, the worse the smell will get.

6. Empty eggs or shell casings

Alternatively, you might find shell casings and empty eggs, which are also signs of an infestation that is - quite literally - growing. Female bed bugs will lay eggs daily – these are around 1mm long and resemble rice grains with a white, oval appearance. The casings are translucent husks with a yellowish tinge that bed bugs shed as they grow - so the bigger your infestation, the more bed bugs you're likely to have!

If you have a bed bug infestation, the best thing to do would be to work on exterminating them as soon as possible. It's important to note that the following methods might only be a temporary solution, work on small infestations, or not at all. In this case, we recommend contacting a professional pest control service!

1. Wash your bedding

As soon as you've discovered an infestation, we recommend immediately putting your bedding and clothing through a hot wash. This should be at least 60C, followed by a tumble dry on a high setting. Hopefully, this should kill off any living bed bugs or eggs hanging around. Check out our blog for more tips on storing your bedding efficiently.

2. Vacuum immediately and regularly

Vacuuming your mattress and bedroom regularly is a must if you're looking to prevent bed bugs. Keeping your area as clean as possible will allow you to spot them quickly - the earlier you see them, the earlier you can get rid of them!

3. Clean your mattress

Alongside washing your bedding and clothing, cleaning your mattress as soon as possible is essential. Give it a deep clean regularly - but do this immediately if you spot any signs of bed bugs!

4. Remove infested items

If something looks worse for wear, such as your headboard or mattress, it might be time to throw it away. But - make sure to clearly label that it is infested with bed bugs to reduce the risk of someone else taking it...

Cleaning your mattress should be something that you do immediately to try and remove bed bugs. While we have a guide on cleaning your mattress, bed bugs can require specialised cleaning methods. These include:

1. Vacuuming your mattress

Vacuuming your mattress should be the first step when tackling bed bugs – make sure to vacuum the edges where insects might congregate too! We recommend using the hose on your vacuum, as a brush attachment might give the bed bugs somewhere to hide and cause them to spread further around your home.

2. Steam cleaning your mattress

Steam cleaning involves, as the name suggests, using hot steam to clean fabric. To effectively kill bed bugs, we recommend using a high temperature – however, this might not be something your steam cleaner can do. On the other hand, you might be able to hire someone with a professional steam cleaner or rent one that can reach such high temperatures. Changing your bedding frequently can also help to reduce the risk of infestations in the future, alongside washing bedsheets at a high temperature every so often.

3. Using a mattress-safe insecticide

The key here is to ensure that any insecticide you use is safe for your mattress – some might cause damage, void your warranty, and ruin the quality and lifespan. Ensure you do plenty of research beforehand on the safety of your insecticide and check that it will definitely kill bed bugs.

4. Taking apart your bed frame

Bed bugs can get everywhere –their small size means they can get into every nook and cranny of your bed frame. Therefore, taking apart your bed and deep cleaning each piece will kill off any live bed bugs or eggs hiding in a dusty corner. If there are any cracks in your bed frame, seal them off!

5. Using a specialised mattress cover

If you sleep on an expensive mattress, buying a new one might not be viable. However, there are specialised covers available that will seal your mattress, making it impossible for bed bugs to escape and eventually killing them off. Keep the cover on for at least one year to ensure no bed bugs survive and reproduce. This method is only advisable if the bed bugs are localised to your mattress – if there are any in your furniture, it likely won’t work.

Only a professional can permanently remove bed bugs from your home, especially if it’s a large infestation. The tips we’ve provided are only likely to work if it’s a small or very new infestation – any established bed bugs in your home must be removed via a professional exterminator. If you need to contact an expert, make sure to research local businesses and read their reviews before getting in touch.

Bed bug bites can be annoying at the best of times, but there are a few ways to treat them to help alleviate any itching or pain.

• Clean the area – keeping bed bug bites and the surrounding area clean will help reduce the risk of irritation or infection.
• Cool the bites – use something cold, such as ice wrapped in a towel, to cool down the area. Cooling the bites will help reduce inflammation, which can be exacerbated by scratching or itching.
• Take medication – this should only be done if prescribed by a doctor or recommended by a pharmacist. These may include medicines such as mild steroid creams or antihistamines.

If any bed bug bite symptoms continue or worsen, you must visit your doctor as soon as possible for medical assistance.

And finally, if you’ve managed to get rid of the bed bugs in your home, you might now need – or want – to buy a new mattress. Thankfully, we have a mattress to suit everyone at Happy Beds – from supportive memory foam mattresses to spacious super king options. Or, if you’re unsure which mattress would be best for you, check out our mattress buying guide for more in depth information.