My Bed Bug Horror Story

I had a really bad bed bug infestation a few years ago. It was a nightmare.

Sleepless nights. Constantly itching and feeling anxious. Being extra tired the next day at work after a night of discovering those red bites and scratching incessantly. Feeling constant brain fog and not being my best.

That’s what it’s like dealing with bed bugs night after night.

I woke up in a cold sweat, my body covered in goosebumps. I had been having that dream again, the one where I’m covered in bed bugs. I could still feel their tiny legs crawling all over me, their sharp bites like needles piercing my skin.

I sat up in bed and turned on the light. I scanned my body for any sign of the bugs, but I didn’t see anything. I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. It was just a dream, I told myself. But even though I knew it was just a dream, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread.

I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face. As I looked in the mirror, I saw a small red mark on my neck. I touched it and it felt tender. I knew then that it wasn’t just a dream.

And that’s when I saw it- something in the mirror standing behind me.

Ok, that part wasn’t real, I’m kidding. But that’s what it felt like, realizing I had bed bugs.

I went back to my bedroom and started searching for the bugs. I looked under the mattress, in the sheets, and in the pillows. I even took apart the bed frame. But I couldn’t find anything.

I was starting to panic. I didn’t know where the bugs were coming from or how to get rid of them. I thought about calling an exterminator, but I didn’t have the money.

I decided to try to deal with the problem myself. I went to the store and bought some bed bug spray. I sprayed the whole bedroom, including the mattress, the sheets, and the pillows. I also sprayed the furniture and the carpet.

I went to bed that night hoping that the spray would work. But I didn’t sleep well. I kept thinking about the bugs, and I kept feeling their tiny legs crawling all over me.

The next morning, I woke up and checked my body for any sign of the bugs. I didn’t see anything, but I still felt itchy. I knew that the bugs were still there, and I knew that I had to do something about them.

I called a bed bug exterminator and they came out that day. He quoted me a job in the hundreds right off the bat. It might run into the thousands. Then he offered to sign me up for a monthly service. NO thanks.

I felt embarrassed and ashamed, and I still didn’t know what to do.

I didn’t want to spend all my savings on some stupid bed bugs, so I started researching an affordable solution to these common pests. Here’s all the info I found.

I’m here to tell you that you’re not alone. Bed bugs are a problem that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. And there is help available. I’ve learned a lot about bed bugs since my infestation, and I want to share what I know with others.

I want to help folks out there who are struggling with bed bugs, and for them know that they’re not alone, and that there is hope.

There are also affordable bed bug killers you should know about before making decisions about bed bug treatment. You can actually save a lot of money by taking care of the problem yourself and it’s not all that hard to do.

If you think you might have a bed bug infestation, there are a few things you must do. You might even be wondering “what are bed bugs?” and “what do bed bugs look like?” First let’s see if you’re dealing with actual bed bugs.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on human blood. They are a common pest that are most often found in bedrooms in people’s homes, hotels, and motels, but are also known to frequent buses, schools, movie theaters, airport lounges, and other places.

Bed bugs are not known to transmit any diseases, but their bites can be itchy and uncomfortable. They can also cause psychological distress, as people with bed bug infestations often feel embarrassed and ashamed.

What are Bed Bugs?

Cimicidae, aka Cimex Lectularius

Also known as cimicidae and cimex lectularius, bed bugs are thought to have originated in the Middle East or Africa. They have been around for centuries and have been mentioned in literature as far back as the 4th century BC. Bed bugs were once a major problem in the United States, but they were largely eradicated in the mid-20th century.

However, pesticides like DDT which were effective against bedbugs were later banned for being unsafe to humans. Since then, bed bugs have made a comeback and are now a growing problem in many parts of the world.

There are a number of reasons for the resurgence of bed bugs.

One reason is that people are traveling and moving around the globe more often, which means they are more likely to come into contact with bed bugs. Another reason is that bed bugs are becoming more resistant to pesticides. Finally, a big reason bed bugs are still a problem is due to a failure to bring EPA-approved products to market due to massive regulation and associated legal expenses.

How Do Bed Bugs Spread?

Bed bugs spread in a number of ways, including:

Traveling: Bed bugs can easily hitch a ride on luggage, clothing, or other personal belongings. If you travel to an area with bed bugs, it is important to inspect your belongings for signs of bed bugs before bringing them home.
Visiting a person or place with bed bugs: If you visit someone who has bed bugs, it is possible that you could bring bed bugs home on your clothing or belongings. Unfortunately, bed bugs can be anywhere, including the bus, airport lounge, movie theater, or anywhere else people sit down for extended periods of time.
Buying used furniture: Bed bugs can often be found in used furniture. If you buy used furniture, it is important to inspect it for signs of bed bugs before bringing it into your home.
Moving into a new home: If you move into a new home that has had a previous bed bug infestation, it is possible that there may still be bed bugs present.

Once bed bugs are inside your home, they can quickly spread to other areas. They can crawl along walls, ceilings, and floors, and they can also hide in small cracks and crevices.

Bed bugs are also known to hitchhike on people and pets, which can help them spread to new locations. Bed bugs can even crawl from an adjacent detached house to a neighbor’s home for distances of 30–50 feet, and multi-unit apartment buildings are at high risk of the rapid spread of bed bugs.

Early Signs of Bed Bugs

Here are some signs of a bed bug infestation:

Bites: Bed bug bites are often small, red, and itchy. They can appear in a straight line or in a cluster.
Blood spots: Bed bugs will defecate after feeding, leaving behind small, dark spots on bedding, sheets, or furniture.
Exoskeletons: Bed bugs shed their exoskeletons as they grow. These exoskeletons are small, white, and hard.
Eggs: Bed bugs lay their eggs in clusters. These eggs are small, white, and oval-shaped.
Live bugs: Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that are about the size of an apple seed. They are wingless and flat. The newly hatched bed bugs are often even tinier and clear or translucent and known as nymphs.

Are Bed Bugs Biting You at Night?

Bed bugs bite humans while they are sleeping. They pierce the skin with their sharp mouthparts and suck blood. Bed bug bites are often small, red, and itchy. They can appear in a straight line or in a cluster.

Bed bug bites are not usually dangerous, but they can be uncomfortable and unsightly. In some cases, people can have an allergic reaction to bed bug bites. This can cause a more severe reaction, such as swelling, redness, and itching.

How to Treat Bed Bug Bites

Wash the area with soap and water.
Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling and itching.
Take an over-the-counter antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
See a doctor if you have a severe allergic reaction.

Checking for Bedbugs

If you see any of these signs, it is important to check your home for bed bugs. You can do this by:

Inspecting your bed: Look for bed bugs, their droppings, eggs, or exoskeletons in the seams of your mattress, box spring, and bed frame.
Inspecting your bedding: Look for bed bugs, their droppings, eggs, or exoskeletons on your sheets, blankets, and pillows.
Inspecting your furniture: Look for bed bugs, their droppings, eggs, or exoskeletons on your furniture, such as your nightstand, dresser, and couch.
Inspecting your belongings: Look for bed bugs, their droppings, eggs, or exoskeletons in your luggage, clothing, and other belongings.

If you find any signs of bed bugs, it is important to take action immediately. Bed bugs can quickly spread throughout a home, so it is important to get rid of them as soon as possible. There are a number of ways to get rid of bed bugs, including professional pest control, heat treatment, and chemical treatment.

What Bed Bugs on a Mattress Looks Like

Here are some of the things you might see if you have bed bugs on your mattress:

Bed bugs crawling around: Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that are about the size of an apple seed. They are wingless and flat
Bed bug eggs: Bed bug eggs are small, white, and oval-shaped. They are about the size of a pinhead.
Bed bug fecal matter: Bed bug fecal matter is small, dark spots that are about the size of a pinhead. It can be found on bedding, sheets, and furniture. It’s one of the telltale signs you’ve got a bed bug infestation.
Bed bug shed skins: Bed bugs shed their skin as they grow. The shed skins are small, white, and empty. They can be found on bedding, sheets, and furniture.

Yeah, bed bugs are pretty gross. So if you suspect you have them, don’t be afraid to take a peek under your bedsheets and along your mattress seams.

Additionally, if you suspect you’re still getting itchy bumps and welps after sleeping in your bed, you might have mites. Mites are usually too small to be seen without a microscope or magnifying glass. Yet, some of the most important foundational steps to getting rid of bed bugs applies to eliminating mites as well.

What to Do if You Have Bed Bugs

The average cost of bed bug treatment in the U.S. is between $300 and $5,000, with the average cost being around $1,750. The cost of bed bug treatment can vary depending on a number of factors, including the size of the infestation, the severity of the infestation, and the method of treatment used.

Common methods of bed bug treatment with an exterminator and their average costs:

Heat treatment: This is the most effective method of bed bug treatment, but it is also the most expensive. The average cost of heat treatment is around $2,000. But, fortunately, you can spot-treat your mattress using one of the attachments on the $79 Hoover steam cleaner to kill the bed bug eggs that may be hiding in the seams.
Chemical treatment: This is a less expensive method of bed bug treatment, but it is not as effective as heat treatment. The average cost of chemical treatment is around $1,000.
Pesticides: Pesticides can be used to kill bed bugs, but they should only be used as a last resort. Pesticides can be harmful to people and pets, and they can also be harmful to the environment. The average cost of pesticides is around $500.

Cost of Orkin Bed Bug Exterminator

Orkin has quoted people who seek bed bug treatment and prevention at an annual subscription service of ongoing monitoring, detection, and treatment of a variety of insect pests for $220 down and around $55/month. That comes out to around $900/year to get Orkin’s subscription service.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs Without an Exterminator

Heat treatment: This is a very effective way to kill bed bugs and their eggs. A professional pest control company will use a heater to heat your home to a high temperature for several hours. This will kill all of the bed bugs, even those that are hiding in cracks and crevices.
Chemical treatment: This involves using pesticides to kill bed bugs. There are a number of different pesticides that can be used, but it is important to choose one that is specifically designed for bed bugs. Pesticides should only be used as a last resort, as they can be harmful to people and pets.
DIY methods: There are a number of do-it-yourself methods that can be used to kill bed bugs. These methods include vacuuming and steam cleaning, as well as using diatomaceous earth or cedar oil. DIY methods can be effective, but they may not be as effective as professional pest control.
Prevention: The best way to get rid of bed bugs is to prevent them from getting into your home in the first place. We have some suggestions to help you prevent getting bed bugs for next time a little further down the page.

If you think you have a bed bug infestation, it is important to take action immediately. Bed bugs can quickly spread throughout a home, so it is important to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Top 10 Store-Bought Bed Bug Killers

Read our product review: The Top 10 Best Bed Bug Products Under $100

Additional Tips to Make Your Bed Bug Treatment More Effective

Pack up any belongings that you do not use on a regular basis and store them in a sealed container. This will help to prevent bed bugs from spreading to other areas of your home.
Consider moving to a different hotel or apartment if you are staying in a place where you believe there may be bed bugs.
Talk to your neighbors if you think they may have bed bugs. Bed bugs can easily spread from one home to another, so it is important to work together to get rid of them.
Be patient. It may take several treatments to completely get rid of bed bugs. Do not give up if you do not see results immediately.

Getting rid of bed bugs can be a challenge, but it is possible. By following these tips, you can get rid of bed bugs and get your life back.

Bed Bug Prevention Tips

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the saying goes. The best way to deal with bed bugs is to simply avoid them in the first place.

Inspect your belongings for signs of bed bugs before bringing them into your home.
Wash your clothes and bedding in hot water and dry them on high heat.
Vacuum your home regularly, paying attention to cracks and crevices.
Dispose of any clutter in your home.
Be careful when traveling. If you are staying in a hotel, inspect your bed and bedding for signs of bed bugs before you unpack.
If you think you have bed bugs, contact a professional pest control company.

In addition to prevention, there are solutions that you can purchase over the counter which are effective at bed bug removal. Keep in mind that you’ll need to strip down your entire bed, bed frame, and do a lot of laundry on high heat while scrubbing and cleaning your entire home before applying anything.

The Best Natural Bed Bug Killer

The best thing about natural bed bug extermination is you can do it effectively for under $100, usually. There’s a lot of grunt work cleaning and inspecting, washing and other things involved, but the actual active ingredients you need to effectively eliminate bedbugs are out there, they’re cheap, and they’re abundant. You just have to know how to use them.

Defensive End! (DE!) is a 2-part solution residual bedbug treatment and contact spray you can purchase that can be used to kill bed bugs. The residual is made up of tiny, fossilized diatoms, which are algae that have a hard outer shell. When DE comes into contact with bed bugs, it cuts through their exoskeletons and dehydrates them, killing them within a few hours.

The contact killer works similarly. Together and along with a thorough cleaning they form a total solution that’s affordable, natural, and safe.

DE! for Bed Bugs

To use DE! to kill bed bugs, you will need to apply it to all areas where bed bugs are likely to be found, such as:

Beds and bedding
Furniture
Baseboards
Electrical outlets
Light switches
Cracks and crevices

It is important to apply DE evenly and thoroughly. You can use a duster or a spoon to apply it. Once you have applied DE, you should leave it in place for at least 2 weeks. This will give the DE time to kill all of the bed bugs, including the eggs.

There are a few precautions to take when using DE to kill bed bugs. First, DE can be harmful to pets and children when breathed directly and in large amounts, so it is important to keep them away from areas where DE has been applied. Second, DE can be messy, so it is important to wear gloves and a mask when applying it. Third, DE can be irritating to the skin and eyes, so it is important to wash your hands and face thoroughly after applying it.

If you are using DE to kill bed bugs, you should expect to see some results within a few weeks.

Here are some additional suggestions for using diatomaceous earth to kill bed bugs:

Apply DE in a well-ventilated area.
Sweep up, then vacuum any excess DE after 2 weeks to clean and remove it once you’ve accomplished your bed bug removal treatment.
Repeat the application of DE every 2 weeks for up to 6 weeks.
DE! stays good for years if kept dry.

While DE! is a residual bed bug killer treatment that you apply and later remove, you can also combine the bed bug spray with your bed bug elimination protocol for direct kills when you see them roaming about.

And fortunately, there are still natural ways to do this.

Natural Bed Bug Spray

There are a lot of bed bug products out there. I prefer natural bed bug sprays myself over chemical treatment for bed bugs. Their natural, active ingredients usually include sodium laurel sulfate or citric acid which act as a dessicant to dehydrate an insect, and occasionally geranium oil, which has been proven to repel parasite larvae.

DE! gives you both a residual and contact killer.

Bed Bug Registry

Bedbug Registry is a free, public database of bedbug sightings in the United States and Canada. The site was founded in 2006 by Maciej Ceglowski, who was inspired to create it after he found bedbugs in his own apartment. The registry allows users to search for bedbug reports by location, hotel, or apartment building. Users can also submit their own bedbug reports.

The registry has been praised for its ability to raise awareness of the bedbug problem and for helping people to avoid bedbug infestations. However, the registry has also been criticized for its lack of verification and for the potential for users to submit false reports.

Here are some of the features of Bedbug Registry:

Search for bedbug reports by location, hotel, or apartment building.
Submit your own bedbug report.
Read tips on how to prevent bedbug infestations.
Learn about the signs and symptoms of bedbug bites.
Find a bedbug exterminator.

Bedbug Registry is a valuable resource for people who are concerned about bedbugs. However, it is important to remember that the registry is not a perfect solution. The reports on the registry are unverified, and there is always the potential for users to submit false reports.

If you are concerned about bedbugs, it is important to take steps to protect yourself, such as inspecting your home for signs of bedbugs and using bedbug-proof mattress covers.

Additional Resources for Bed Bug Control

Fortunately there are a ton of resources on the web that can help people suffering from bed bug bites and pest control.

* Articles and Online Help

Bed Bugs Are Making a Comeback, and They’re Not Just Hiding in Hotels (The New York Times, March 8, 2023)
Vox
Bed Bugs Are Making a Comeback, and They’re Not Just Hiding in Hotels article in The New York TimesBed Bug Infestations Are on the Rise, and There’s No Easy Solution (The Washington Post, February 25, 2023)
ResearchGate
Bed Bug Infestations Are on the Rise, and There’s No Easy Solution article in The Washington PostHow to Prevent Bed Bugs (Consumer Reports, January 20, 2023)
How to Prevent Bed Bugs article in Consumer ReportsBed Bugs Are Becoming More Resistant to Treatment (National Geographic, December 15, 2022)
Wikipedia

* Videos

There are many videos about bed bugs on YouTube. Here are a few of the most popular ones:

Understanding Evolution
THE WORST BED BUGS EVER – PART 1 – REAL LIFE VIDEO AND PICTURES by Jason Acres (Green Acres Pest Control)
99.5 WKDQ
KQED: Watch Bed Bugs Get Stopped in Their Tracks video by Deep Look on YouTubeBed Bugs

These videos provide information on what bed bugs look like, how to identify them, and what to do if you think you have an infestation. They also offer tips on how to prevent bed bugs from invading your home in the first place.

* Podcasts

This Podcast Will Kill You
Bed Bugs: Bug-bitten and bedeviled podcast on This Podcast Will Kill YouBed Bugs on Stuff You Should Know. This episode covers the basics of bed bugs, including how to identify them, what to do if you have an infestation, and how to prevent them from coming back.
USA Today
Bed Bugs podcast on Stuff You Should KnowBed Bugs on the Science Vs. podcast. This episode discusses the science of bed bugs, including their biology, behavior, and how they spread.
M&M Pest Control
Bed Bugs podcast on the Science Vs. podcastBed Bugs on the PestWorld podcast. This episode is hosted by a pest control expert who discusses the latest information on bed bugs, including how to identify them, what to do if you have an infestation, and how to prevent them from coming back.
Woman’s Day

These podcasts provide a wealth of information on bed bugs, and can be a helpful resource if you are dealing with an infestation.

* Books

The Bed Bug Book: The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination by Ralph H. Maestre. This book provides comprehensive information on bed bugs, including their biology, behavior, and how to prevent and get rid of them.
Amazon.com
Bed Bug Book: The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination bookBed Bugs: The Ultimate Guide to Prevention and Treatment by Jeff Eisenberg. This book is a practical guide to dealing with bed bugs, covering everything from identification and prevention to treatment and getting your life back.
DoMyOwn
Bed Bugs: The Ultimate Guide to Prevention and Treatment bookInfested: How the Bed Bug Infiltrated Our Bedrooms and Took Over the World by Brooke Borel. This book tells the story of bed bugs, from their origins to their recent resurgence. It also provides information on how to prevent and get rid of them.
Amazon.com
Infested: How the Bed Bug Infiltrated Our Bedrooms and Took Over the World bookBedbugs: A Novel of Infestation by Ben H. Winters. This novel tells the story of a man who wakes up one day to find his apartment infested with bed bugs. The book follows him as he tries to get rid of the bugs and the toll it takes on his life.
Amazon.com