How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Discovering a bed bug infestation is deeply distressing. At Rentokil, we understand the distress, anxiety, and damage these pest can cause to your home, your family's peace of mind, and the reputation of your business. A bed bug problem is more than just an annoyance, it's a serious issue that, if left untreated, can lead to persistent discomfort, negative customer reviews, and significant financial strain.

Bed bugs are notoriously resilient. A single female can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime, and they are experts at hiding in cracks, crevices, and electrical outlets. Missing the signs of bedbugs, such as small blood spots on sheets or itchy bites, can allow an infestation to spread rapidly from room to room.

While there are immediate steps you can take to help manage an infestation, total bed bug eradication is complex. As the trusted experts in professional pest control, we have created this comprehensive guide to walk you through the necessary steps (both short term DIY and professional solutions) to effectively eliminate bed bugs from any property.

High levels of hygiene, deep cleaning, and the use of DIY sprays can help kill some visible bed bugs, but these actions on their own are rarely powerful enough to eliminate a bed bug infestation completely. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate because they hide in deep crevices and some populations have developed a resistance to conventional pesticides. This resistance makes them a challenge even for experts, rendering most over-the-counter DIY bedbug solutions ineffective against established populations. To successfully get rid of bed bugs, professional treatment is almost always required, utilising specialised knowledge, expertise and advanced, industry leading solutions to overcome their resistance and ensure the infestation is removed for good.

If you suspect you have bed bugs, prompt action is essential to help contain the infestation as much as possible. If you are waiting for professional bed bug treatment, or have a very minor issue, following these steps can help to contain the spread. Note: These steps help manage bed bug numbers but rarely eradicate the infestation.

1. Inspect Thoroughly: Check "hot spots" including mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, carpet edges, and nearby furniture (nightstands, drawers, sofas).
2. Wash at High Temperature: Bed bugs cannot survive extreme heat. Remove all bedding, clothing, and curtains from the affected room. Wash them in hot water and dry them out on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. The temperature needs to exceed 60°C to kill both adult bedbugs and eggs.
3. Heat in Tumble Dryer: If possible - place washed items in a tumble dryer and dry on the highest heat setting possible, for a minimum of 30 minutes.
4. Freeze Items: If suitable - place items in a freezer for at least 10 hours at -17°C. (Please note not all items are suitable for freezing).
5. Vacuum Everything: Vacuum your mattress, bed frame, and all cracks and crevices. Use the hose attachment for edges. (Immediately after vacuuming, empty the vacuum into an outdoor bin and seal the bag securely). Do not empty it inside the property.

Although these steps can help reduce bed bug numbers and prevent some spread, they rarely eradicate an infestation completely.Therefore, as you take these immediate measures, it is important to arrange for a bed bug inspection and treatment from our highly trained, professionally qualified pest control technicians to fully eliminate bed bugs from your property.

Because bed bugs are resistant to many chemicals and hide their eggs in hard-to-reach places, qualified professional intervention is the only way to guarantee bed bugs are eradicated. Experienced, professional pest control companies like Rentokil use a combination of advanced techniques and sustainable solutions to eliminate the infestation, including high-temperature heat treatments that target all life stages of bed bugs—from eggs and nymphs to adults. In addition, professional-grade residual treatments are carefully applied to ensure ongoing protection after the initial solution. Pest specialists are trained to identify common bed bug hiding spots and to apply precisely targeted treatment, maximising the effectiveness without unnecessary chemical exposure.

Not only do these solutions deliver rapid, thorough, effective results, but we back our work with follow-up visits and comprehensive advice on bed bug prevention. Entrusting your bedbug problem to qualified, experienced professionals offers you peace of mind that your home, family or business and staff are protected from recurrence and ongoing disruption caused by bed bugs.

Waking to notice unexplained bites or discover tiny blood spots on your sheets can cause immediate worry and discomfort. While it may be tempting to try every available home remedy, even the most determined cleaning routines or over-the-counter sprays rarely resolve the issue completely. Bed bugs have adapted to resist many traditional pesticides, so infestations often return if not addressed fully. This is why professional pest control is so critical.

• Targeted Solutions: We use a combination of methods, including our Heat Treatments (Entotherm), which raise the temperature evenly in affected areas to levels that are quickly lethal for bed bugs and their eggs, even those hidden deep within cracks, crevices, bed frames and mattress seams, in conjunction with professional-grade residual chemicals.
• Safety First: Our technicians are highly trained and professionally qualified, with credentials recognised by the pest control industry, BPCA and NPTA. Frontline staff maintain expertise through the CRRU-recognised Basis PROMPT CPD scheme, ensuring treatments are safe for your family and pets.

Early detection is vital in a comprehensive bed bug control service. Once they’re established, bed bugs can spread quickly, requiring more timely and powerful control measures. For hotels, B&Bs, and hospitality businesses, bed bugs are a financial emergency. Even one negative online review that references bed bugs can quickly damage your reputation, leading to lost bookings and decreased customer trust. Guests expect the highest standards and discovering an infestation can result in immediate and long-lasting consequences for your business. Therefore, it is critical to address bed bug issues swiftly and effectively, using proven pest control solutions. Taking immediate action protects your brand image, ensures guest satisfaction, and helps prevent costly interruptions to your daily operations.

• Rapid Response: We offer discreet, fast and effective bed bug services to minimise room downtime and revenue loss.
• Early Detection: Bed Bug Detection Dog Inspections provide a fast and accurate way to inspect for infestations in hotels, hospitality venues, care homes, and other large complex environments
• Staff Training: We don't just kill the bugs; we can train your staff to spot the early warning signs of bedbugs, stopping future infestations before they have a chance to take hold.

At Rentokil, we don't just spray and pray. You can be assured of complete pest protection from our technicians who are highly trained and professionally qualified, with credentials recognised by the pest control industry, BPCA and NPTA. Our focus on control solutions will ensure elimination of your pest problem. At the same time, our approach to pest prevention will help your home or business remain pest-free long-term. Our experience and expertise in the pest control industry should reassure you of the quality of our service and our expertly trained pest controllers.

• We customise our treatments and solutions based on the uniqueness of your home, building or business premises - recognising that every pest problem is different.
• Our technicians are supported by a network of highly trained entomologists and field biologists, ensuring we use the most advanced, science-led remedies available.
• Each treatment plan is custom designed to address both visible bed bug infestations and hidden eggs, maximising effectiveness and minimising disruption to your daily life.
• Moreover, every technician undergoes thorough training to identify problem areas and deliver targeted, environmentally responsible pest control.
• We offer peace of mind that the problem is solved, and the bed bug prevention advice to keep it that way.

By combining professional expertise, industry-leading technology, and ongoing support, our services help safeguard your home or business from future bed bug outbreaks.

Taking quick, decisive action is vital to halt bed bugs spreading and protect your home or business. Whether you suspect a minor issue or have already tried DIY methods without success, reaching out to a qualified pest control professional ensures your property receives the most effective treatment available. Our experienced technicians are ready to assess your situation, develop a tailored treatment plan, and restore your peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and take the first step toward a bed bug-free environment.