How to Detect and Repel Bed Bugs

Examine your skin for signs of bed bug bites. These bites may go unnoticed or may cause red spots that itch and swell.

Pull the sheets, blankets and mattress pad off your bed. Remove the bed skirt from the box springs, if you have one. Look for clusters of dark spots that resemble dried blood or rust stains. Little spots can appear on the sheets or between the mattresses. These spots are excrement that helps identify the areas where bed bugs tend to hide and digest their food.

Launder all washable bedding in hot water above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the clean bedding into a hot dryer for at least 20 minutes. Seal any nonwashable pillows and bedding in trash bags and place in the freezer for at least 24 hours.

Remove any clutter or stored items from around your infested bed. Vacuum along all surfaces of the mattress and box springs to remove the bugs hiding in these areas. Focus on the areas around seams and buttons. Move your bed frame to vacuum the carpet or flooring underneath. Remove the used vacuum bag immediately and seal it in a trash bag to kill the bed bugs. Wipe down nightstands and metal bed frames, as well as the headboard, footboard and bed legs with a hot, soapy washcloth.

Cover the box springs and mattress with zippered plastic mattress protectors that encase them and seal them off from the outside air.