Bed Bug Remedies: What Works, What Fails and When to Call

Most bed bug home remedies reduce the number of bugs but do not end an infestation. Four methods work on whatever they reach: a hot dryer, a freezer at 0°F for four days, steam above 160°F, and zippered mattress encasements. Rubbing alcohol, foggers and most essential oil sprays fail. Because bed bugs hide inside walls and furniture and resist common insecticides, a confirmed infestation in Los Angeles County usually needs professional treatment.

Which bed bug home remedies actually work?

These work only on the bugs and items they touch. None reaches wall voids or electrical outlets, so they shrink an infestation rather than end it.

Clothes dryer. UC IPM says a home dryer on its hottest setting needs at least 10 to 15 minutes. University of Minnesota Extension recommends 30 minutes on high heat. Seal items in bags before carrying them, and keep clean laundry bagged until the infestation is gone.
Freezing. A freezer held at 0°F kills all stages if items stay in at least four days, counted from when the item's center reaches 0°F. Skip electronics with LCD panels and anything condensation would damage.
Steam. Steam kills every stage it touches, but surfaces must reach 160 to 180°F. Carpet cleaning machines and clothing steamers do not get hot enough, per University of Minnesota Extension. Ohio State University Extension advises against steaming mattresses because the excess moisture is hard to remove.
Mattress encasements. Zippered encasements designed for bed bugs trap bugs inside the mattress and box spring, where they starve. Leave them on at least a year, since bed bugs survive months without feeding.
Vacuuming. UC IPM says a single vacuuming rarely gets all bugs and eggs, so repeat it along seams, bed frames and baseboards. Bugs can survive the trip through the hose, so double-bag the contents and put them in the trash.

Does diatomaceous earth kill bed bugs?

Yes, slowly, and only where bugs walk through it. Ohio State University Extension reports that silica gel and diatomaceous earth can take weeks to fully work but are generally highly effective. UC IPM lists these dusts as long-term control within an integrated program, so treat them as one layer, not a cure. Place them in out-of-the-way spots that stay dry, such as under baseboards or in wall voids, and follow the label.

Does rubbing alcohol kill bed bugs?

Not reliably, and it can start a fire. University of Minnesota Extension says not to use rubbing alcohol, kerosene or gasoline because these chemicals may cause fires. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is blunt: do not waste your time on rubbing alcohol or bleach.

Do essential oils and natural bed bug sprays work?

Most do not. In Rutgers University tests summarized by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 11 plant oil or detergent-based products were sprayed directly on bed bugs. Only two, EcoRaider and Bed Bug Patrol, killed more than 90 percent of nymphs, and they needed 10 days. Only one, EcoRaider, killed most eggs. Those were ideal conditions; against bugs hidden in cracks and crevices, results will likely be weaker.

Ohio State University Extension adds that natural or "green" products are exempt from EPA registration and not required to demonstrate efficacy, so many claims are unsubstantiated. Texas A&M's conclusion: do-it-yourself insecticides alone are not likely to rid your home of bed bugs.

Do bug bombs, foggers and store sprays get rid of bed bugs?

No. UC IPM says over-the-counter total-release foggers are ineffective for bed bug control and could be harmful to your health. Ohio State University Extension explains why: the fog does not penetrate harborage sites, and it generally fails to kill bed bugs even on direct contact.

Store sprays share the problem. The LA County Department of Public Health says liquid household pesticides control bed bugs on contact but give no effective residual control. They should not go on the mattress. UC IPM reports that some populations resist pyrethroids, a widely used insecticide family, and that insecticide resistance is increasingly common. Ohio State traces that resistance to pyrethroid overuse and misuse.

Why do most DIY bed bug treatments fail?

Because home remedies kill what you can see and reach, and much of the infestation is where you cannot. UC IPM says about 85 percent of bed bugs are in or near the bed. The rest hide behind baseboards, headboards and picture frames, under loose wallpaper, and inside furniture, appliances and electronics. Eggs sit glued into cracks where vacuums and contact sprays miss them.

Ohio State says bed bugs can live six months or more without a blood meal, so a quiet month proves nothing. In apartments, LA County Public Health notes that infestations spread between units through wall voids along water pipes and electrical wires. It says multi-unit buildings need management and an experienced professional working together. Our post on bed bug treatment in Los Angeles apartments covers the building-wide approach.

When should you call a professional for bed bugs?

As soon as you confirm live bugs, eggs or fecal spotting, and before you spray anything. Unsure what you found? Start with our guide to bed bugs in Los Angeles County. UC IPM says confirmed infestations should be managed by trained professionals, and the CDC advises contacting a company experienced with treating bed bugs. LA County Public Health reserves do-it-yourself products for cases where professional treatment is not feasible. Renters should contact their landlord right away, per University of Minnesota Extension.

Here is how PesPro's bed bug treatment works across Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties:

Inspection, then a written quote. The quote is free and follows the inspection, because infestation severity sets the scope and the price.
Combined treatment. We combine chemical and fungal treatments with targeted applications so that eggs, nymphs and adults are all covered.
Preparation. Treatment works only in a prepared room. Our bed bug prep checklist lists what to launder, bag and move.
Follow-up visits. Eggs hatch in about 10 to 15 days, so follow-up visits are part of the quoted plan, not a free extra.
30-day guarantee. If bed bugs reappear within 30 days, we return for a third visit at no extra cost. Details are on our guarantee page.

Same-day service is available for an extra fee and depends on the day's route. Property managers get unit-by-unit protocols and documentation suitable for tenant disputes through our property manager program. To report a bed bug problem to LA County Public Health, call the Environmental Health Call Center at (888) 700-9995 or file a complaint online.

Ready to stop experimenting? Request a free written quote or call (323) 472-5329. Our bilingual technicians cover every city on our service area list, from El Monte to Rancho Cucamonga.

Frequently asked questions

Does washing clothes kill bed bugs?

The dryer does the killing, not the wash. UC IPM recommends washing in hot water, about 120°F, then drying on the hottest setting for at least 10 to 15 minutes. University of Minnesota Extension suggests 30 minutes on high heat. It says shoes, bags, stuffed toys and dry-clean-only clothes that tolerate a dryer can also go through a 30-minute cycle.

Can I freeze bed bugs out of my belongings?

Yes, if your freezer holds 0°F. University of Minnesota Extension says items must stay frozen at least four days, counted from when the center of the item reaches 0°F. Bulky items need longer, and temperatures above 0°F may let eggs and small bed bugs survive. A cold night in Los Angeles is nowhere near cold enough.

Should I throw away my mattress?

Usually not. University of Minnesota Extension says throwing away furniture can spread the bugs. A zippered encasement traps the bugs inside, where they starve, and keeps new ones out. Keep it on for at least a year. If you must discard a mattress, Ohio State says to wrap it in plastic and deface it, and UC IPM says to mark it as infested.

Do bed bugs spread disease?

No. The CDC says bed bugs are not known to spread diseases to people. The real costs are itching, lost sleep, anxiety and secondary skin infections from scratching, plus how fast an untreated infestation spreads to neighboring units. That is the reason to act quickly, not fear of illness.