What can I do if I have bed bugs in my apartment or home?

First you should consult with your landlord, building manager, local Public Health Unit or a pest control professional to confirm that you have bed bugs.

Use a nozzle attachment on your vacuum to remove live adult bed bugs and immature bed bugs called nymphs and their eggs. Vacuum all crevices on your mattress, bed frame, baseboards and any objects close to the bed. It is essential to vacuum every day and empty the vacuum bag immediately or seal it and place it in the freezer for several days. Wash all your clothing, bed sheets, blankets, mattress pads, pillows and their cases in the hottest water possible and place them in a hot dryer for 30 minutes. Consider covering your pillows and mattress with a plastic cover.

Remove all unnecessary clutter. Seal cracks and crevices between baseboards on wood bed frames, floors and walls with caulking. Repair or remove peeling wallpaper tighten loose light switch covers and seal any openings where pipes wires or other utilities come into your home pay special attention to walls that are shared between apartments. Dispose of infested items that cannot be cleaned and get rid of clutter. Seal all items tightly in a plastic garbage bag and discard in a clearly labeled outside container.

Bed bug control requires an integrated pest management (IPM) approach that includes proper preparation and inspection, identification and housekeeping. This will ensure the risk of pesticide exposure is minimized, the environment is protected, and the effectiveness of the treatment is maximized.

Getting rid of bed bug infestations usually requires the use of pesticides and other treatments. Only professionals should apply pesticides for bed bugs. Foggers and bug bombs are not effective against them. There are many licensed pest control companies in Ontario who have the proper training and experience to manage a bed bug infestation.