Bed Bug Removal: How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs Yourself Without Calling A Pesty

Last Updated on 02/10/2025 by Tony Abrahams

TL;DR – Bed Bug Removal in 6 Steps

• Wash and heat-treat bedding: Remove all sheets, blankets, and pillowcases and wash them on the hottest cycle. Dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes to kill bed bugs and eggs hiding in fabrics.
• Steam kill on contact: Use a steam cleaner on your mattress, bed base, and furniture. The high heat penetrates seams, cracks, and joints, instantly killing bed bugs and their eggs.
• Apply Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Dust DE on the bed frame, around the ensemble base, and inside barrier traps. This natural powder keeps killing bed bugs for months whenever they attempt to cross it.
• Install mattress covers: Seal your mattress and base inside covers to trap existing bed bugs and block new ones from entering. Over time, trapped bugs starve while your bed remains protected.
• Set up bed leg barrier traps: Place traps under each bed leg so bugs are forced to crawl through DE to reach you. This isolates your bed and turns it into the kill zone.
• Sleep in the treated bed: Stay in the bed each night. Your body heat and scent lure the bugs out of hiding, and as they try to reach you, they cross the DE and die, eliminating the infestation completely.

Note: If you are using the Isolation Method, you only need to wash the linen that’s on the bed before treatment. If you are using a pest controller (“pesty”), you’ll need to wash all clothing, bedding, and fabrics in the room and bag them securely before the treatment, as sprays won’t be effective if bugs are hiding in your belongings.

What are Bed Bugs? Everything You Need to Know

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Bed Bug Removal Methods

There are two main approaches to bed bug removal: DIY or professional pest control. Let’s break down the options.

DIY Bed Bug Removal Using The Isolation Method

• Wash the linen on your bed: Remove sheets, pillowcases, and blankets currently on the bed and wash them on the hottest cycle. Dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes to kill any bugs or eggs. With the Isolation Method, you don’t need to wash all your clothes and fabrics, just the linen you’re sleeping on.
• Steam: A powerful, chemical-free method that kills bed bugs and their eggs instantly. Direct the steam into seams, cracks, and joints where bugs hide. The high heat penetrates areas sprays can’t reach, making it one of the most effective first steps in treatment.
• Diatomaceous Earth (DE): This fine powder is safe for humans and pets but lethal to bed bugs. When they walk across it, the powder absorbs the waxy coating on their shells, dehydrating them until they die. Unlike sprays, it doesn’t wear off — it keeps killing for years until cleaned up.
• Mattress Covers: Specially designed encasements seal bugs inside your mattress or pillows, cutting them off from food. Trapped inside, they eventually starve, while the cover also prevents new infestations from getting in.
• Bed Leg Barrier Traps: Devices that fit under bed legs, forcing bugs to cross DE or become trapped when they attempt to climb. This creates a physical and chemical barrier between you and the infestation, keeping your bed a safe zone while bugs are eliminated.

Professional Pest Control

• Exterminators often use chemical sprays, heat treatments, or a mix of both. While they can be effective, treatments usually require multiple visits, and resistance to some chemicals is growing.
• Most chemical treatments require you to leave your home for hours or even days. This disruption can be stressful, especially for families with kids or pets.
• Professional services are often costly, running into hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the infestation size, with no guarantee against reinfestation.

Quick Comparison

DIY Bed Bug Removal Instructions for Ensemble Beds and Slatted Bed Frames

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How to Tell If You Need Bed Bug Removal

Detecting bed bugs early makes all the difference. Here are the key signs:

1. Visible Bugs: Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, oval and reddish-brown. Look closely around seams, headboards, and cracks in furniture for live insects.
2. Unexplained Bites: Small, itchy welts that often appear in straight lines or clusters on exposed skin. Some people may not react, while others develop severe allergic responses.
3. Blood Stains: Tiny rust-coloured spots on bedding or pillows caused by squashed bugs or after they finish feeding.
4. Droppings & Skins: Bed bugs leave behind small black faecal spots and shed skins as they grow. These are often found near their hiding spots.
5. Musty Odour: A strong, sweet, unpleasant smell often noticed during large infestations, caused by their scent glands.

Bed Bug Bites in Australia: How to Find, Treat and Prevent Bed Bugs Fast

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Bed Bug Removal Without Toxic Chemicals

• Heat: Bed bugs and their eggs die at temperatures above 49°C. Wash clothes and bedding on hot cycles, dry on high heat, and use steam cleaners for furniture and cracks.
• Diatomaceous Earth: A natural and long-lasting powder that dehydrates bed bugs. Apply it to bed frames, skirting boards, and inside traps for ongoing protection.
• Vacuuming: Regular vacuuming removes live bugs and eggs. Focus on seams, cracks, and furniture joints. Always seal and dispose of the bag immediately to avoid reinfestation.
• Encasements: Mattress and pillow covers trap existing bed bugs inside and block new ones from entering, effectively starving them out.
• Decluttering: Reducing clutter eliminates hiding places, makes inspections easier, and increases the effectiveness of other treatments.
• Natural Repellents: Oils such as lavender or tea tree are sometimes used as deterrents. While not a complete solution, they may help discourage bugs from settling in treated areas.

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How to Prevent Bed Bugs From Infesting Your Home

• Inspect regularly: Carry out routine checks of mattresses, bed frames, and furniture for early warning signs of bed bugs before an infestation takes hold.
• Travel smart: Keep luggage on racks instead of floors or beds in hotels. Wash all clothing in hot water when returning home and vacuum your bags thoroughly.
• Protect your bed: Install mattress encasements and barrier traps, and dust your bed frame with DE for ongoing protection.
• Educate yourself: Learn common hiding spots and signs so you can act quickly before an infestation grows.
• Respond early: At the first sign of bed bugs, start treatment immediately. Quick action prevents a small issue from becoming a large infestation.

Read Our Blog About How To Prevent Bed Bugs

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Bug Removal

1. Can I remove bed bugs myself?
   Yes, with the right DIY treatments, like the eco-friendly Bed Bug Barrier system, you can effectively remove bed bugs on your own.
2. What kills bed bugs permanently?
   Diatomaceous Earth kills bed bugs permanently because the powder remains effective indefinitely, ensuring it kills bed bugs for good unless you clean it up.
3. How do I permanently get rid of bed bugs in my mattress?
   Use a bed bug proof mattress encasement to protect your mattress and use Diatomaceous Earth to eliminate and prevent infestations on your bed frame.
4. Is it possible to 100% get rid of bed bugs?
   Yes, by using non-toxic and long-lasting solutions like steam and Diatomaceous Earth, you can completely eradicate bed bugs 100%.
5. Does vacuuming your mattress get rid of bed bugs?
   Vacuuming your mattress can help remove bed bugs and their eggs, but it’s not a complete solution. You should also use other treatments like encasements, steam cleaning, and Diatomaceous Earth.

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Watch Our DIY Bed Bug Removal Treatment Videos

Are you looking for an organic DIY treatment? These step-by-step videos show you exactly how to use the Isolation Method on different types of beds.

For an Ensemble Bed

For a Bed with Slats

Ready to take action? Order your DIY Bed Bug Kit here and remove bed bugs the safe, organic way.

If you have enjoyed our blog about Bed Bug Removal, then you might like to read about how the Bed Bug Isolation Method works.

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Sources: Bed Bug Removal

AEPMA Industry Code of Best Practice for Bed Bug Management (Australia), thorough guidance tailored for Australian pest controllers and practices
aepma.com.au

NHS (UK) Bedbugs: How to get rid of them, good high-level public info about washing, heat, etc.
nhs.uk