Expert bed bug control strategies: Detection, treatment and prevention

Heather Patterson

Control Solutions Inc.

From clean homes to luxury hotels, we know bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) can show up anywhere. These hitchhikers don’t discriminate, and their presence is not a reflection of cleanliness or an indication of a lack of sanitation. Clutter certainly can make control more challenging, but it does not cause a bed bug infestation to happen. Still, there are many people who feel shame or embarrassment when the bugs show up. The stigma surrounding bed bugs can result in reporting delays, which worsen infestations and add additional distress.

Add to this situation that research on several insect species, including bed bugs, has shown juveniles that are part of a group grow faster than those that are not. Faster development time to the adult stage results in a faster-growing infestation. For quick elimination of low-level infestations, it’s important we find ways to encourage early reporting without increasing fear or stigma. One way is by educating our customers on the subtle signs of bed bug activity — such as what the bug’s shed skins and fecal material look like, blood spots on bed sheets, etc. — and positioning these signs, no matter how few, as reasons to call.

Dr. Jason Meyers

BASF

Bed bug work often focuses on finding insects where they should be, in beds, furniture and tight harborage zones. But one frequently overlooked tactic is behavior mapping, a simple, structured method that helps pest management professionals (PMPs) discover hidden patterns that traditional inspections may miss. Behavior mapping begins by asking residents or staff a few focused questions: Where do you spend the most time resting? Where do you store personal items? Are there routines that involve frequent sitting, placing bags down or moving belongings between rooms?

Rather than relying solely on known harborage areas, this approach uncovers behavior-driven microenvironments that could be sustaining low-level infestations. Once gathered, the information is translated into a quick sketch or digital note identifying “interaction hotspots” — places where human behavior repeatedly creates opportunities for bed bugs to feed or hitchhike. These zones often include surprising locations, such as hobby corners, laundry sorting areas, home office chairs and frequently used secondary seating. By integrating behavior mapping into routine inspections, PMPs can reveal infestation sources earlier, reduce the risk of callbacks, and tailor treatments with greater precision. It’s a practical, high-value tool that transforms everyday human habits into better bed bug detection.

Andrew Fisher, BCE, PHE

Neogen

Thorough preparation is fundamental in effective bed bug treatments, as the success of treatments largely relies on how well the preparation is carried out. Without proper preparation, it becomes nearly impossible to effectively treat all infested areas, often leading to incomplete or unsuccessful treatments.

Preparation typically involves several important steps, such as laundering clothes, removing mattress covers, vacuuming and decluttering and removing all stored items from the treatment area. These tasks ensure PMPs can access every nook and cranny where bed bugs might be, to inspect as well as treat. Many pest control companies provide bed bug prep sheets that detail common tasks that should be completed before treatment. Following these guidelines is essential for achieving optimal results, as even a minor oversight can lead to a reinfestation or a callback.

Dr. Jamel Sandidge, BCE

Nisus

Bed bugs have become commonplace, and the unprecedented fear and neverending lawsuits have somewhat subsided. So, what’s next? The growing concern and lasting issue with bed bugs is that the people who need treatment the most are those who are unable to afford professional care. But we can still help! Sometimes we forget that the most important tool we possess is not a sprayer or duster, but the knowledge we have gained through years of training, continuing education unit (CEU) courses and applications in the field.

The next step in bed bug management is consulting, teaching and demonstrating effective inspections and monitoring to train building managers, property managers, integrated pest management (IPM) coordinators, facilities maintenance managers and others responsible for intervention. By working alongside assisted-living facilities, affordable housing, schools, medical clinics, prisons, temporary housing shelters and other places prone to recurring bed bug infestations, we can all help develop affordable and effective procedures to detect and reduce the spread of bed bugs within facilities. In addition, a combination of partnering with local governments and nonprofit organizations, reaching out to manufacturers and developing affordable solutions

Michael Boyd

Ensystex

Many of us have received that call from one of our best customers requesting that we complete a bed bug service, and we reluctantly agree. But where do we begin? 

First, we conduct a detailed inspection to determine the scope of the infestation, looking for live bed bugs or clear indications of their presence. From there, we determine whether this should be a liquid, heat or other treatment. Next, we must communicate, in detail, the preparation that must take place prior to treatment. You should walk away from incomplete preparation and reschedule your service. 

You must also set clear expectations regarding warranty and follow-up. Most companies find a limited warranty of approximately 30 days to be appropriate, provided preparation and post-treatment guidelines are followed. Most importantly, clients should be informed upfront that bed bug control is a process, not a single event.

Isabelle Lucero

J.T. Eaton

Since the 1990s resurgence of bed bugs in the U.S., several new products and tools have been created to manage them. For this write-up, though, I want to go back to four basics:
1. Don’t underestimate the value of vacuuming up bed bugs and trapping them. The more bed bugs you can remove upfront, the fewer you have to manage. 
2. It is the technician’s job to educate customers
on actions they can take to help, as well as what
not to do. Team up with customers to devise a game plan to kill those bugs!
3. Monitor the population for resistance to what you are applying. We have many products on the market that are scientifically proven to work, so use your expertise to pick the right ones for each situation.
4. Remember, bed bugs can still release the allergen tropomyosin even months after their death. It is important to remove all dead bed bugs and debris from the site after treatment to protect customer health.

Nick Godfroid, BCE

Rockwell Labs

Effective, “green” products like residual biopesticides, quick control and long-lasting dusts and new luring technologies are all revolutionizing how PMPs tackle bed bugs. In previous times, bed bug treatments were heavily reliant on repeated heat or chemical knockdowns, with extensive customer prep and a long line of follow-up applications. That model is very expensive for any PMP to perform, let alone for a customer to pay for. 

Using newer technologies and protocols developed by the industry can not only reduce costs but also deliver an effective control and prevention bed bug service. The industry now has viable alternative products that kill faster, last longer and have a lower risk profile to customers than even a decade ago. By incorporating these newer technologies and control and prevention strategies, PMPs can improve their bed bug service protocols, reduce scheduled follow-up treatments and callbacks and lower service costs.

Mel Whitson

Zoëcon

One of the reasons bed bugs are so difficult to manage is their ability to spread so easily. As nocturnal, blood-feeding pests, they hide in cracks and crevices near where people sleep, including mattresses, box springs, bed frames, furniture seams and upholstered items. Bed bugs can be found where hosts spend significant time sleeping or lounging, whether it’s a bed, living room furniture or a movie theater seat. They also can latch onto clothing, backpacks, luggage and secondhand furniture, making shared spaces and traveling an increased risk for transporting these unwanted pests into the home. 

Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, their bites can lead to significant discomfort, with symptoms like itching, anxiety and allergic reactions. 

Immediate bed bug control often consists of a program of thorough inspections, heat treatments and chemical applications, paired with insect growth regulators (IGRs). Long-term control relies on IPM strategies including regular monitoring, sanitation practices, effective treatment and educating clients on preventing infestations. Let customers know they can minimize the risk of infestation and improve early detection by regularly laundering bedding on high heat, reducing clutter and inspecting sleep areas. 

Joseph Latino

Allergy Technologies

If you’re looking to grow your bed bug business, consider targeting the affordable housing industry using proven strategies that address infestations at the property level rather than repeated unit-by-unit responses. You can significantly reduce callbacks and crisis-driven treatments with a structured, prevention-based model that improves route efficiency, streamlines labor deployment and creates more predictable workloads, reducing technician fatigue and burnout.

This strategy offers an opportunity to differentiate your bed bug service in a market that has historically been difficult to serve profitably. With a data-driven structure, standardized protocols and measurable outcomes, you can more easily demonstrate value,
reduce client frustration and build trust with housing authorities and property managers.
These advantages support longer-term contracts, stronger partnerships and more consistent revenue. Through education, collaboration and continuous improvement, you can deliver consistent, high-quality results while increasing customer satisfaction and bottom-line performance — without increasing overhead or operational complexity.

Dr. Chris Keefer, BCE

Syngenta

When it comes to bed bugs, use all your available tools to best manage populations.
▶ Inspection. Interview customers to help identify all potential harborages. Document conducive conditions and use monitoring devices to complement your inspection. Always carry flashlights, personal protective equipment (PPE), an inspection mirror, a screwdriver, a camera and a structural diagram of the account.

▶  Identification. Use up-to-date references, and contact university researchers, extension agents or industry experts for help. The western bat bug (C. pilosellus), for example, might look like a bed bug on first glance, but its harborage areas might be very different.

▶ Communication. Share prevention methods, such as how customers can inspect for bed bugs as a preventive, early detection method. Use written and verbal communication and include pictures and videos if allowed. Discuss the treatment protocol and expectations. Make sure customers remove all bed linens, blankets, bed skirts, stuffed animals, pillows and drapes. They should launder these items in hot water and dry on the highest setting, or dry clean if needed. They also should move all furniture away from the walls so you can treat everywhere you need to.

▶ Control. Inspection dictates treatment. Use a heavy-duty commercial vacuum to remove adults, nymphs and eggs. We recommend using lipophilic (fat-loving), microencapsulated formulations to increase the probability of bed bugs picking up
a lethal dose. Research shows 80 percent of bed bugs are found in or around the bed, so treat accordingly. Rotate modes of action for long-term resistance management.

Andrea Hancock

Mattress Safe

It’s critical to monitor temperature conditions for technicians during their bed bug inspections, especially in hot weather. In non-climate-controlled areas, some types of disposable coveralls can lead to excessive perspiration and restrict airflow, causing discomfort. 

Switching to a breathable inspection suit can significantly enhance a technician’s productivity and efficiency by helping to regulate body temperature and reduce physical stress. When selecting a breathable suit, ensure the fabric is bed bug-certified to prevent any possibility of bed bugs from entering through the material. 

Stefano Montesano

Polti USA

Most bed bug problems don’t begin with a bite — they begin with silence. These insects are masters of staying out of sight, thriving in places we rarely examine closely, such as tight seams, layered fabrics and hidden joints where routine cleaning never quite reaches. By the time signs appear, populations often are already well established.

Understanding how bed bugs respond to their environment is key to controlling them. While they can tolerate long periods without feeding and easily evade surface treatments, they are notably vulnerable to high temperatures. Heat-based approaches stand out because they address eggs, nymphs and adults in a single step rather than chasing each stage over time.

Within heat strategies, steam plays a particularly valuable role. Superheated dry steam can reach deeply into cracks and textured surfaces, deliver lethal temperatures instantly, and do so with minimal moisture — reducing the risk of damage or secondary issues. 
We believe incorporating heat and steam into bed bug treatment strategies can be a strong operational advantage, enabling faster results, greater precision in difficult areas and a differentiated service that focuses on effective, long-term control rather than repeated callbacks.