How to get rid
of bed bugs.
How to get rid of bed bugs: confirm them, contain them, heat-dry bedding, vacuum, encase the mattress and know when to call a professional. A guide for Toronto homes.
Bed bugs hide in mattress seams, bed frames and furniture near where people sleep, and they are hard to remove completely without professional treatment. These steps help you confirm the problem, stop it spreading and reduce the numbers while you arrange treatment.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs:
step by step.
1. Confirm it is bed bugs
Look for small reddish-brown oval insects, shed skins, tiny pale eggs and small dark spots along mattress seams, the box spring, the bed frame and headboard. Bites alone do not confirm bed bugs.
2. Do not spread them
Do not move mattresses, furniture or bedding into other rooms or onto the curb untreated. Bag items before moving them, and do not stay elsewhere and bring belongings back without treating them.
3. Wash and heat-dry bedding and clothes
Wash sheets, pillowcases, blankets and clothing from the affected room, then dry them in a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes. Do not overfill the dryer, or items will not get hot enough.
4. Vacuum carefully
Vacuum the mattress, box spring, bed frame, baseboards and nearby furniture, using a brush on mattress seams. Seal the vacuum contents in a plastic bag and put it in an outdoor garbage bin with a tight lid.
5. Encase the mattress and box spring
Use zippered covers labelled bed bug proof. Bugs trapped inside cannot escape or bite, and new ones have nowhere to hide on the mattress.
6. Reduce clutter
Clear clutter around the bed and in the bedroom so bed bugs have fewer places to hide and treatment can reach them.
Mistakes
to avoid.
- Using bug bombs or foggers, which do not reach bed bugs in cracks and can spread them.
- Throwing out furniture before getting advice; it can spread bugs to other homes.
- Applying pesticides to mattresses or bedding that are not labelled for that use.
- Sleeping in another room, which can draw bed bugs there.
When to call
a professional.
Our bed bug exterminator service in Toronto costs $249–$999, including 2 treatments, before HST. Quotes are free, and we are fully licensed and insured.
Call a professional if
- You have confirmed live bed bugs.
- Bed bugs are in more than one room.
- You live in an apartment or condo, where they can spread between units.
- You still see signs after washing, vacuuming and encasing.
Common questions.
Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?
You can reduce numbers and stop them spreading, but bed bugs and their eggs hide in many small spaces. Most infestations need professional treatment and a follow-up.
How long does bed bug treatment take?
Our treatment uses steam plus professional dust and gel products, with 2 treatments included, because a second visit deals with bed bugs that hatch after the first.
Do I need to throw out my mattress?
Usually not. A mattress can often be treated and then encased. Get advice before throwing anything out.
Still seeing activity?
Tell us what you are seeing, where and for how long. We will confirm the price before any work starts.
Guidance based on HealthLinkBC: bed bugs and Health Canada: bed bug identification. Updated October 6, 2026.