Bed bugs: the first steps

Not about cleanliness: anyone can get them.

The answer in 2 lines. Bed bugs aren't a sign of a dirty home: anyone can get them, and they aren't known to spread disease. Confirm first: look for small dark spots and brown insects along mattress seams. Put bedding and clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Vacuum, then seal and toss the bag. Don't use foggers or outdoor pesticides indoors. If you rent, tell your landlord in writing right away.

The first 3 steps

Check: look for small dark spots, tiny eggs or reddish-brown insects along mattress seams, the box spring, the bed frame and nearby furniture. Keep a sample in a sealed bag or a photo.
Use heat: wash if you like, then put bedding, clothes and curtains in the dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Bag clean items in sealed plastic.
Vacuum the mattress, bed frame, baseboards and furniture, then seal the vacuum bag or contents in a plastic bag and put it in an outside trash can.

Stop: danger

Don't spray pesticides yourself, especially foggers ("bug bombs") or products labeled for outdoor use: they often don't reach bed bugs, can spread them, and can harm your family. Foggers can also catch fire. If someone is exposed, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Then what?

Don't throw furniture out in a panic: you may spread bugs and still have them. If you discard something, mark it "bed bugs" so no one takes it.
Reduce clutter, where bed bugs hide.
Mattress encasements made for bed bugs trap any inside and make new ones easier to spot.
Bed bugs are hard to get rid of alone: a licensed pest management professional using integrated pest management (several methods, minimal chemicals) is usually needed.

Renters: tell your landlord

In many states, the landlord is responsible for dealing with an infestation in a rental. Tell them in writing as soon as possible.
New York City: if your landlord doesn't act, call 311; the housing agency (HPD) can inspect.
Neighbors may have them too: building-wide treatment works better.

What not to do

Sleeping on the couch or in another room: bed bugs follow you and spread.
Using rubbing alcohol or other flammable products on furniture: fire risk.

Good to know

Bed bugs can survive months without feeding, so empty apartments aren't automatically clean.
Bites can take days to appear, and some people don't react at all.

In Manhattan, Jamal wakes up with bites and finds dark spots on his mattress seam. He takes photos, runs his sheets and clothes through the dryer on high, vacuums and tosses the bag outside, and emails his landlord the photos. When nothing happens after a week, he calls 311.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on October 18, 2026, for the United States. Confidence: high for EPA do-it-yourself guidance and Poison Control; medium for landlord responsibility, which depends on state and local law. No private company is recommended. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis or legal advice.