Why treat for bedbugs yourself?
In many locations in the United States, a professional bedbug exterminator will range from $800 to over $1200 depending on the size of the space. Alternatively, any people have had success with DIY methods such as these, which cost under $100 on average.
You have to be diligent about the treatment, though. If you have found one bedbug in your home, it is highly likely that there are more in hiding: each bedbug can lay 1-5 eggs every day and over 500 during their lifetime. It is recommended to begin treating as soon as you find a bedbug.
You don’t need to pay hundreds of dollars to get rid of bedbugs
You can get rid of bedbugs without an exterminator. Don’t be overwhelmed! Bedbugs can lead to a lot of anxiety. But with diligence, it is 100% possible to get rid of them without using an exterminator. If you follow these DIY bedbug extermination methods carefully and exactly, you can be bedbug free in no time.
| Get rid of bedbugs! | Image | What to do | How to do it | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 |  | Get bed bug "interceptors" | This simple, inexpensive device helps isolate your bed, and traps any bugs that try to get in or out. You can prevent bed bugs from getting into your bed, and you minimize the risk of bugs spreading to other parts of the house (or returning to your bed after treatment). It is also possible to make these yourself. | Check price |
| Step 2 |  | Launder your bedding and | Wash and dry all of your bedding at 120 degrees F for at least 40 minutes. Then use a bed lock system to kill bed bugs already in the mattress. Bed bugs trapped inside will starve to death, and new bed bugs cannot move in. | Check price |
| Step 3 |  | Put on a mattress encasement | Wash and dry all of your bedding at 120 degrees F for at least 40 minutes. Then use a bed lock system to kill bed bugs already in the mattress. Bed bugs trapped inside will starve to death, and new bed bugs cannot move in. Here is a useful comparison matrix and size chart. | Check price |
| Step 4 |  | CimeXa | Use an inexpensive treatment like CimeXa to kill bed bugs elsewhere. Cimexa (Amorphous silica gel) is a desiccant, or a non-poison treatment that kills bugs by adhering to their exoskeleton and dehydrating them. ASGs are fatal to bed bugs and work more quickly than diatomaceous earth. | Check price |
| Step 5 |  | Vacuum | Make sure you use a powerful, upright vacuum with a bag or removable canister so you can dispose of the used bag or clean the canister when you are done. Vacuum up a small quantity of CiMexa to ensure all captured insects die within the vacuum. Empty after cleaning. | Check price |
It is possible to completely get rid of bedbugs yourself without an exterminator, and we hope that this guide helps. Don’t forget, ignoring a bedbug infestation is a surefire way to make certain that the problem only gets worse. You will want to take immediate action to make your job easier in the long run. This guide is excerpted from our Ultimate Guide to Killing Bedbugs, which you can read for a more in-depth analysis.
Other articles for you:
- How to identify a bed bug
- Home remedies for bedbug itch
- 6 BEST bed bug mattress covers (and a size chart)
If you have read this guide and you would still like to hire a professional exterminator, please visit the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) website for a state-by-state list of professional Pest Control Operators (PCOs).
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