Bed bugs are the micro-predators who feed on human blood. They are usually found in hotels, motels, dormitories, homes, and apartments. Two of the major cities in Canada—Toronto and Vancouver are largely affected by bed bug infestation. Hence, people here look for bed bug control remedies.
Bed bug control is quite tough for homeowners and businesses. Therefore, you will have to take different approaches to get rid of these bloodsuckers. First, you will have to identify the infestation and then use the remedies for their elimination. You can even consider hiring professional bed bug control experts in GTA. Exterminators use chemical and non-chemical treatments to kill bugs.
To be honest, bed bug removal on your own can take several weeks or months. Therefore, one should always consider professional bed bug control services. However, you can take some precautionary measures to keep the pest away from your home. Let’s see what it takes to get rid of bed bugs on your own.
Can You Get Rid of Bed Bugs on Your Own

The answer to this question depends on the severity of the infestation. Whether you will succeed in getting rid of bed bugs depends on various factors. How many bed bugs do you have? Do your neighbors have bed bugs too? Do all of the houses in a building have the same pest infestation problem? How severe the infestation is? Depending on all these, you will know whether you can do it yourself or not.
To succeed in killing and eliminating bed bugs on your own, everyone in the home will have to do their part. The below-given steps will help you to get started. Remember, bed bug control is tough and takes time. So, you may have to repeat this process more than once to eliminate bed bugs and their eggs from your home.
- Identify the infestation
- Develop a treatment plan
- Keep the infestation from spreading
- Prepare for the treatment
- Take preventive measures
Identify Bed Bug Infestation

Bed bugs are tiny insects that feed on blood. Adults and nymphs are small, oval-shaped, and flat, and they can grow up to 7mm in length. Because of their sizes, bed bugs are hard to spot with the naked eye. They can also easily hide in bed frames, mattress seams, box springs, behind the headboard, sofas, curtains, and carpet edges.
The earlier you spot bed bugs the easier it becomes to eliminate them. Bed bugs spread faster. However, the small infestations are harder to get rid of because you may not even realize you have bed bugs at home. Bed bug bites are easily mistaken for other insects. Also, they are expert at hiding. Due to their small flat body, they can hide even in the tightest spaces.
Before you take action, identify bed bug infestation by focusing on the following indications:
- Bed bugs bite in a pattern. So, you may see bite marks on your neck, shoulder, and back. You will find a cluster of bites on your body that is a strong sign of bed bug infestation.
- Rusty or reddish-brown spots on the bedsheet by bed bugs being crushed. While sleeping you may crush the bed bug feeding on you. This leaves the blood spots on your bed.
- Bed bug shells that are tiny almost 1mm in size and pale-yellow skins of nymphs which they shed as they grow older.
If You Don’t Find Traces of Bed Bugs
If you don’t find traces of bed bugs while inspecting your home, here are some important Dos and Don’ts that you must follow:
Dos
- Call expert pest control professionals to inspect your property. When the infestation is small, it is difficult for you to find the traces. But exterminators are highly skilled and trained in finding bugs. Along with their experience, they utilize advanced technologies to inspect bugs. You can even call the experts if any guests have moved into any room. Because most bed bugs travel hitching on travelers’ luggage.
Don’ts
- Go into the room you think bed bugs are. Leave the room untouched and wait for the professional pest control experts to come and diagnose the problem.
- Move any item out of the infested room. This will allow bed bugs to travel and spread faster.
If you spot a bed bug but are not sure of its identification then pay attention to its moving speed. Bed bugs move slower than other insects.
Develop the Plan
Now when you know you have bed bugs, it is time to develop a plan to get rid of them. Planning is the key to success. So, start with the places where you have spotted bed bugs. Decide what method and products you will use to exterminate bugs.
Make a schedule for how you are going to do it. Since bed bug control is time-consuming, you must schedule everything to eliminate the bugs from your entire house.
Keep the Infestation from Spreading
While you develop the plan and get ready to kill bed bugs, they may spread. If you want to get rid of them easily then make sure they are not spreading.
- Ensure the infested items are removed. Place them in a sealed plastic to treat them.
- You can seal the cracks and gaps with silicon caulk. This eliminates the hiding places of bed bugs.
- If you have any item that cannot be treated then pack it in a plastic bag or container.
- Cover your mattress and seal it. This way bed bugs will not come out and die of hunger inside the cover.
- Vacuum your mattress and sheets daily. Seal the bag tightly and throw it out in the trash container.
Prepare for Treatment
Preparing for the treatment is essential because this lets you eliminate bugs hidden even in the difficult parts. Whether you are hiring professional pest control experts in GTA or doing it yourself, you will have to prepare for the treatment. Make sure your pets and kids are not around. Get all the right chemical and non-chemical products to eliminate bugs.
Kill Bed Bugs
The final step of doing it yourself for bed bug control is killing the pest. Use different methods including vacuum, heat, and steam treatment, to kill the bugs. However, while doing so, ensure the method you are using is safe and you are well aware of the consequences.
Avoid treatments that are not effective like rubbing alcohol, kerosine, and gasoline. Check out the tips on how to kill and eliminate bed bugs from your house:
Use non-chemical methods to kill bed bugs. These methods may not help you to remove the pests entirely from your house but are highly effective in eliminating small infestations.
Heat Treatment

One of the best methods to kill bed bugs is using heat treatment. Bed bugs cannot withstand heat. So, people keep the infested items outside the home under the sun. Or, they use cloth dryers on high heat to kill bed bugs.
Heat treatments work by increasing the temperature to above 120°F. The preferred temperature to kill bed bugs should be set between 120°F and 140°F. The direct heat will kill all adult bed bugs and their eggs. However, the temperature should be maintained long to kill bed bugs and eggs. Even one or two survivors can cause the infestation again. Make sure to use a good heater that gives you the required temperature for the room. In the market, you will easily find electric bed bug heaters. This is much easier to use than normal heaters and poses less risk of heat damage as well.
Steam Treatment

This is an eco-friendly pest control method for killing bed bugs. The steam penetrated deep into the mattress, furniture, and other infested items killing bed bugs instantly. Although most pest control experts have stopped using this treatment because of the prevalence of heat and moisture-sensitive items, steam treatment is still an effective non-chemical method for homeowners to kill bed bugs.
To kill bed bugs with steam, apply steam directly and evenly. Because this method is only effective in killing bed bugs when they come in direct contact. Here is how you can improve the effectiveness of steam treatment:
- Clothing: Use a cloth steamer wand to kill bed bugs. Move it slowly and focus on all the areas, especially the pockets and pocket flaps, where bed bugs hide. Steam the clothes inside and out thoroughly to kill bed bugs.
- Furniture: When it comes to furniture, you will have to be attentive. Bed bugs can be hidden in the crevices that are very difficult to spot. Use the steamer and move it around the surface. Pay close attention to seams, screws, and bolts. These are the most common places where bed bugs hide. However, ensure your furniture is steam-safe.
Vacuuming

It is one of the best methods for homeowners to get rid of bed bugs without exposure to harsh chemicals. Just use your vacuum cleaner to suck out the hidden bugs in crevices in bed or other furniture. Although it won’t capture all of them but will be effective in eliminating many of them. Empty the bags after each use and seal them properly before discarding them.
Take Preventive Measures
Getting rid of bed bugs is not easy. They spread faster and are difficult to spot. So, after the treatment, you will have to keep your eyes on bed bugs’ activities. Continue inspection for bed bugs to see where they are left. The eggs may still be there. So, inspect for bugs for at least 7 days after the treatment. Ensure no pests are left behind.
- Use some preventive methods for bed bug infestation like:
- Regular vacuuming of the furniture, mattress, rugs, and sofa. Seal the bag tightly and always keep it outside the house.
- Reduce clutter in your house.
- Close off the cracks and crevices.
- Use protective covers for your mattress and box springs.
Doing these things will help you eliminate bed bugs from your home on your own. However, the process can be time-consuming. So, be patient and use preventive measures to keep them away from your home.
After trying all the methods discussed above, inspect for the survivors. But you will have to be patient as this can take up to several weeks. If you see no progressive results even after 6-8 weeks or things start getting worse, call the experts.
Some Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Bugs
What do bed bugs look like?
Bed bugs are small bugs and oval-shaped insects that look like apple seeds. They have a small, flat, and oval-shaped body with 6 legs and 2 antennas. Their color ranges from light to dark brown. The adult bug can be of 4mm in length. Although small still visible to the naked eye.
What causes bed bug infestation and bites?
Bed bugs are nature’s hitchhikers. They can easily travel from one place to another attaching themselves in the traveler’s luggage. Once they are in your home, they travel from room to room in search of a place to live, feed, and breed. Once they are settled in your home, they start feeding on you by sucking your blood. Bed bugs feed on blood. From adults to nymphs, they all need blood to grow and survive.
Do bed bug bites hurt?
Bed bug bites can cause discomfort and irritation to some. However, some people don’t feel them at all. This is because when bed bugs bite, they release anesthetic which numbs the area where they bite. So, the host may not notice this until the marks appear.
Where do bed bugs hide?
Bed bugs can hide anywhere. This is what makes it difficult to spot bedbugs. Their flat body allows them to hide almost anywhere in the cracks of crevices. The most common places of hiding are mattress seams, box springs, behind headboards, upholster furniture, carpet edges, and bed frames.
How does a bed bug infestation start?
Bed bugs can enter your home in many ways:
- Travel: If you stay in a hotel infested with bed bugs. These hitchhikers can travel through your luggage. This is why experts suggest washing your clothes and bags after coming from a vacation or trip.
- Secondhand Furniture: You unknowingly bring bed bugs to your home by bringing secondhand furniture, mattresses, sofas, etc. without properly inspecting them.
- Visitors: Another way bed bugs enter your home is when guests arrive. Their luggage or belongings might have bed bugs which will travel to your home.
Get Professional Help
The expert pest control company in GTA will help you to get rid of bugs and other insects. They use effective treatment methods ensuring your safety. Moreover, they guarantee the complete removal of bed bugs from your place. You will have a pest-free home after a few professional bed bug treatments.
Professional Bed Bug Treatment
Bed bugs are hard to get rid of because they are expert at hiding. Hence, it is advisable to use professional bed bug control treatment. Professional bed bug treatment involves multiple steps. Exterminators ensure the safety of the occupants of the property being treated. Here are the steps followed by experts during the treatment:
- Inspection: Pest control technicians start the process of bed bug treatment is inspecting your home. The trained technician will locate the hidden spots, identify the extent of the infestation, and assess the severity of the infestation. This assessment allows experts to develop the right treatment plan.
- Preparation: The next crucial thing is getting ready for the treatment. First, they develop the right plan and start preparing for it. They empty the drawers and closets before the treatment. Using steam or heat treatment they treat all the removed items to ensure no bugs will travel from them. They even vacuum bedding, linens, and sofas. This reduces the bed bug population.
- Chemical treatment: After the heat and steam treatment, professionals use chemical treatment for bed bug control. This guarantees the complete removal of bed bugs. They use different types of pesticides and insecticides usually in the crevices and cracks, where bed bugs hide. Exterminators only use the chemicals that are approved for bed bugs and household purposes. Also, the choice of pesticides depends on the circumstances.
- Follow-up inspection: The pest control company’s work does not end with the chemical treatment. They provide follow-up inspection and treatment services too. Bed bugs are very hard to get rid of and one treatment may not be enough to eliminate them. Hence, professionals conduct a follow-up inspection to ensure the successful elimination of the bug. If not, then they provide additional treatments to eliminate the survivors.
Professional bed bug control treatment is essential to eliminate severe infestation. The treatment is highly effective when conducted by a skilled professional. You may do it yourself, but you won’t get effective results. Even if you try, you will get temporary relief but it will remove the infestation completely. Therefore, it is crucial to hire a licensed and certified pest control company in Canada near you. They use effective treatments and methods to eliminate these bugs successfully and also minimize the risk of re-infestation.