Treatment FAQ

medical treatment for bed bugs how much

by Christy Ziemann Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Bed bug treatment type

TREATMENT TYPICAL COST RANGE
Heat Treatment $2,000 to $4,000 ($1 to $3 per square fo ...
Fumigation $4,500 to $50,000 ($4 to $8 per square f ...
Chemicals and Pesticides $183 to $500 per room
Steam Removal $250 to $1,000 per room
Jun 24 2022

Full Answer

What are home remedies for bed bugs?

  • Wear safety glasses
  • Use protective gloves made from rubber or nitrile
  • Wear a face mask to avoid inhaling dust or vapor
  • Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing.
  • Wash your hands immediately after direct contact
  • Use only in well ventilated spaces (open your windows)
  • Avoid wearing bleach-contaminated clothing for prolonged periods (wash straight away)

What is the cost of heat treatment for bed bugs?

On This Page:

  • Average Extermination Costs
  • Size of Space
  • Extent of Infestation
  • Costs by Location
  • Prices by Treatment Type
  • Heat Treatment / Thermal
  • Fumigation
  • Chemicals & Pesticides
  • Pest Removal using Steam
  • Inspections by Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs

More items...

How much does pest control cost for bed bugs?

The average cost of getting rid of bed bugs is around $1,000, though the overall price may range from $300 to $5,000 based on the factors above. You can expect to pay between $50 and $200 for a bed bug inspection and then either an hourly rate or a flat rate per room or square foot.

How much does Bed bug extermination cost?

Your general pest control plan cost can vary depending on various factors, such as your home’s size and location, but we found the average cost for homeowners falls between $400 and $950 per year, based on our secret shopping for a 3,000-square-foot home.

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How much does chemical treatment for bed bugs cost?

Individuals can expect to pay between $300 and $5,000 for bed bug extermination, with the average cost of $1,750. The average price of bed bug extermination is more expensive than other treatments like flea extermination because of how long these pests can live without food.

How much does it cost to treat a room for bed bugs?

The worse the infestation, the more you can expect to pay for treatment. Light bed bug infestations usually cost homeowners $200 to $300 per room. Moderate infestations cost $300 to $400 per room, while a severe bed bug infestation costs about $4,000 to $5,267 to treat the whole home.

How many treatments will it take to get rid of bed bugs?

It typically takes anywhere from 2-4 treatment sessions over a period of 3-6 weeks to completely eliminate bed bugs, depending on the level of infestation and the size of the house. However, each situation is unique.

Do you need to go to the doctor for bed bugs?

If you notice you have bed bugs, getting rid of them should be your top priority. Serious bed bug infestations almost always require professional intervention. Bed bugs are excellent at hiding, and missing just a few bugs or eggs can lead to your bed bug problem coming back.

How hard is it to get rid of bed bugs?

It can be difficult to eliminate bed bugs, but it's not impossible. Don't throw out all of your things because most of them can be treated and saved. Throwing stuff out is expensive, may spread the bed bugs to other people's homes and could cause more stress.

Do you have to leave your house during bed bug treatment?

Bed Bug Treatment: What To Expect Next On average, most households spend 1 to 3 days preparing for bed bug treatment. On the day of your bed bug treatment, unless specifically instructed to, don't bring any items with you when you vacate the premises. Wear only previously laundered clothing removed from sealed bags.

Can bed bugs come back after professional treatment?

Yes, bed bugs can come back after a year. If you used a DIY treatment that didn't eliminate all the bed bugs in the colony, then there's always the chance that they'll remain in hiding until they've reproduced.

How long after bed bug treatment can I sleep in my bed?

Keep all mattresses and pillows sealed for a full year after treatment, so any lingering bed bugs die of starvation. Don't enter your home or treated rooms for at least 4-5 hours after treatment.

How many times do I need to spray for bed bugs?

You should treat every two weeks until activity is gone. 38 of 53 people found this answer helpful.

Can a doctor give you anything for bed bug bites?

If the bites are very itchy, your doctor may prescribe cream or antihistamines to relieve the itchiness. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed for any secondary bacterial skin infection.

Should I go to the ER for bed bug bites?

The symptoms of cellulitis include a red patch on the skin that continues to expand, swelling, tenderness, pain, warmth, fever, and skin dimpling. When these symptoms are present, those that have been bitten by bed bugs should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

What kills bed bugs permanently?

Heat is one of the best ways to kill bed bugs. Pest experts use professional heating elements to kill bedbugs. You can also use a steam cleaner with a diffuser to kill bed bugs hiding in fabrics and baseboards.

How to treat bed bug bites?

To treat bed bug bites: Wash the bites with soap and water. This will help prevent a skin infection and help reduce itchiness. If the bites itch, apply a corticosteroid cream to the bites. You can get a weak form of this medicine without a prescription at your local drugstore.

What are the signs of bed bugs?

Bites on your body. Signs of bed bugs. Bites on your body: If you have bed bugs, you’re likely to have bites. Bed bug bites usually cause itchy welts. These welts usually appear in a zigzag pattern as show in the photo below.

Why do bed bugs look like they are flying?

Any dark place such as inside a mattress or even a picture frame makes a good hiding place. As you watch bed bugs move, it can look like they are flying or jumping because they can crawl quickly. Bed bugs cannot fly or jump; they can only crawl.

Do bed bugs cause anxiety?

Although bed bugs don't usually require serious medical attention, they can cause a great deal of anxiety and restless nights. To help find bed bugs before they find you (and your belongings), dermatologists recommend looking for the following signs near places where you sleep.

Can you get an antibiotic for an allergic reaction?

Some people may require an injection of an antihistamine, corticosteroid, or epinephrine (adrenaline) for a severe allergic reaction. Infection. An infection may require an antibiotic. If the infection is mild, your dermatologist may recommend an antiseptic medication that you can buy without a prescription.

Can you see a bed bug near an egg?

The photo below shows a bed bug near eggs. The photo was magnified so that you can see the bed bug and eggs. If you do get bed bugs and have many bites or a bite that looks infected, see a board-certified dermatologist. A dermatologist can treat an infection and help relieve the itch.

How much does it cost to treat bed bugs?

You have bed bugs. A flamethrower isn’t an option, so consider bed bug treatment cost, which will range, on average, between $300 and $5,000. Bed bugs (or Cimex lectularius) are persistent, pervasive, and proficient at escaping human attempts to kill them.

What is the least expensive way to treat bed bugs?

The least expensive option is heat (thermal) treatment, followed by fumigation, steam, and freezing treatments, each of which adds cost.

How to prevent bed bugs from entering your home?

The best defense is a good offense. Do everything you can to prevent bed bugs from entering your home. First, if you’ve completed extermination treatment, make sure you pay attention to all of the exterminator’s recommendations for follow-up treatment and inspection. Then you’ll need to take some precautions. Check any secondhand furniture pieces—even hard-side pieces—for any signs of infestation before bringing them in. Some experts recommend encasing them in plastic and leaving them in the sun for a day, effectively heat-treating them, and then vacuuming thoroughly. When traveling, check the seams of the mattress and headboard for signs of bed bugs before you bring your suitcases into the room. Leave your clothes in your suitcase and keep the case zippered. Check the luggage rack for signs of bed bugs, or keep your cases in the bathtub. When you get home, consider placing the suitcases into black plastic bags and leaving them in the sun for a day or two, or remove the clothes and immediately wash them and dry them (even if they’re clean!) before putting them away, leaving the suitcases outside to heat. You can reduce the clutter in your home to offer fewer hiding spaces, vacuum frequently to catch any bugs that have made it inside, and consider purchasing a protective mattress cover that will offer bed bugs fewer places to hide.

What do bed bugs smell like?

Bed bugs have a distinct scent—if there are enough present, the human nose can smell something like rotten raspberries. Trained dogs can alert an inspector to the presence of even a small number of bed bugs. This can make the $300 to $600 in additional inspection costs well worth it—the dogs will help locate all points of infestation to ensure treatment is specific and complete. Hotels often use sniffing dogs, as careful and close physical inspection is time-consuming and not as accurate as a canine nose.

What does a bed bug bite look like?

Rashes, Blisters, and Bites. Unfortunately, bed bug bites masquerade as other types of bites and rashes. They can look like eczema, inflamed mosquito bites, or hives. Even worse, some people do not develop reactions to bed bug bites at all, so an absence of bites doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.

How big are bed bugs eggs?

Bed bug eggs are tiny—about 1 millimeter in size . They are white or clear and usually laid in clusters, so if you have a good eye, you might spot them embedded in fabric or small cracks or crevices.

What is a bed bug?

Bed bugs (or Cimex lectularius) are persistent, pervasive, and proficient at escaping human attempts to kill them. While they do not transmit disease and aren’t dangerous unless their bites become infected, they’re still one of the most reviled insects out there.

How Much Does Bed Bug Treatment Cost?

Not only are bed bugs among the most challenging pests to eradicate, but they also love to snack on your blood. When you’re burdened with a bed bug infestation, you want these bloodsuckers out fast — and for good. But how much is winning back your peace of mind going to cost you?

Cost Estimator by Size of Infested Area

As a general rule of thumb, bed bug treatment costs rise with the number of infested rooms. On average, exterminators charge $200 to $400 per room to get rid of bed bugs.

Other Factors That Affect Cost

The number of infested rooms isn’t the only factor affecting the total cost of your bed bug treatment. Again, most homeowners pay $200 to $400 per infested room. However, your bill may be higher or lower depending on inspection rates, bed bug treatment types, the number of follow-up visits required, and the severity of the infestation.

Extra Services

Many exterminators and pest management companies are qualified to exterminate more than one type of pest. If your bed bug exterminator is licensed to control other unwanted household guests (the insect or rodent kind), you may want to consider requesting additional pest control services.

Cost of DIY Bed Bug Removal

To successfully terminate a bed bug infestation, you almost always need a professional. Professionals have the training to locate and identify bed bugs and have the necessary equipment to exterminate an entire infestation with nearly 100% effectiveness.

Cost of Bed Bug Treatment by Location

Where you live can have a significant impact on your total bed bug treatment costs. Some areas are more prone to bed bug infestations than others, especially cities with lots of apartment buildings, such as New York City or Atlanta. High infestation rates are often due to bed bugs quickly spreading from room to room, or apartment to apartment.

Conclusion

When it comes to bed bugs infesting your home, skip the DIY treatments, and click to call a local pest control professional near you. The best way to send these stubborn pests packing is by hiring a qualified exterminator.

How to treat bed bugs?

Preparing For Bed Bug Treatment 1 All fabric – Put all clothing and other soft fabrics—bed linens, bedding, soft toys, drawer contents, drapes—into zipped or tightly sealed disposable bags and put them outside. Run all of the above through a dryer cycle on high for 30 minutes. Drop off all dry-cleaning items at a dry cleaner’s in sealed bags and inform them of the possible infestation. Throw away all disposal bags containing infected fabric. Only bring dried clothes back in in new bags after first AND follow-up treatments are done. 2 All furniture – Pull all furniture at least 6” from the walls. Remove all furniture that cannot be heat treated and treat it outside the house with an alternative method. Throw away any furniture that cannot be treated. Don’t leave it on the curb to infect other homes. 3 Fixed elements – Remove electrical plates and tape outlets. Disconnect or cover smoke detectors. 4 Carpet/flooring – Vacuum and throw used vacuum cleaner bags in the outside trash. 5 Clutter – Empty all nightstands and shelving units. Leave nonfabric items bagged in the room. Throw out any magazines, paper, clutter you can. Wash all baby toys in hot soapy water and seal in a trash bag. 6 Pets and food – remove all pets, plants, food, pet food, etc. close food utensils in cabinets.

How much does bed bug freeze treatment cost?

However, bugs can appear dead and then become active again once they are warm. Bed bug freeze treatment costs $500 per room on average.

How accurate are bed bug sniffing dogs?

Bed Bug Sniffing Dog Costs. An inspection by bed bug sniffing dogs can detect bed bugs with 95% accuracy, both before and after treatments. Well trained dogs have a higher accuracy level than humans.

How much does it cost to fumigate a house?

Fumigation cost is based on your home’s square footage. The average cost of fumigation is $4 to $8 per square foot, or $4,000–$6,000 total. Your home will be sealed off and filled with fumigation gas to kill all the bed bugs, but it will mean you’ll have to vacate the home for a few days so as to avoid chemical poisoning and breathing in high VOCs. If done properly, it will kill all the bed bugs in the house. Fumigation costs 3–5 times more in the North than in southern states.

How much does it cost to fumigate a house to get rid of bed bugs?

If the foundation of your home is found to hoard bed bugs, you’ll possibly need a structural fumigation as well, which can cost as high as $30 per square foot. It is unlikely that your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the cost as it falls under home maintenance/preventative damage costs.

How long does it take for a steamer to kill bed bugs?

They are especially effective at reaching into cracks and crevices. The process takes about 7 hours and does such an effective job that no follow up is required unless more bed bugs are brought into the home.

How much does it cost to exterminate an apartment?

At a rate of $250 per room or $0.75/sqft, a 1-bed apartment can cost $500–$600 to exterminate, and more if the infestation requires additional treatment measures.

What is the best way to kill bed bugs?

Look for products that are EPA-registered, and specifically marked for “bedbugs.”. Here are a few types of insecticides you can try: Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are the most common chemicals used to kill bedbugs.

How to get rid of bed bugs in your house?

It’s much easier—and cheaper—to treat a small infestation than a big one. Yet smaller infestations can be harder to detect. Search for bedbugs yourself, or hire a professional to do an inspection.

How to tell if you have bedbugs in your ceiling?

in the seam where the wallpaper and ceiling meet. Use a flashlight and magnifying glass to go over all of these areas. You can spot bedbugs by these signs: live bedbugs, which are reddish and about ¼-inch long. dark spots about the size of a period—these are bedbug droppings.

How long to put bedbugs in dryer?

Then put them in a dryer on the highest heat setting for 30 minutes. Use a steamer on mattresses, couches, and other places where bedbugs hide. Pack up infested items in black bags and leave them outside on a hot day (95 degrees) or in a closed car.

How long does it take for bed bugs to go away?

Before you can trust that your treatment has worked, you need proof that the bugs have moved on. Check the infested areas about once every seven days for signs of activity.

How to get rid of bed bugs without chemicals?

These bugs are pretty easy to kill with high heat, 115°F (46°C), or intense cold , 32°F (less than 0°C. Here are a few ways to treat bedbugs using these methods: Wash bedding and clothes in hot water for 30 minutes.

How big are bed bugs?

Bedbugs measure just 5 millimeters across—smaller than a pencil eraser. These bugs are smart, tough, and they reproduce quickly. Bedbugs know where to hide to avoid detection, they can live for months between meals, and a healthy female can lay 500 eggs in her lifetime.

Why do you pay for bed bug treatment?

Paying for bed bug treatment ensures they’re fully gone and that no stragglers are left to lay new eggs. There are a range of elimination options, with different bed bug treatment costs, to suit all budgets.

Where are bed bug removal costs higher?

If you need the problem fixed as an emergency then the cost of bed bug removal will be higher. Location: Specialists in London and the South of England tend to charge a higher cost for bed bug treatment than other areas.

How to keep bed bugs out of your house?

Below are some of the most common methods for ensuring your home stays bed bug free: 1 Thoroughly inspect any second-hand furniture. 2 Keep your home clean and tidy to give them less places to hide. 3 Inspect any other beds you sleep in – e.g. at hotels and other people’s houses. 4 Vacuum regularly. 5 Regularly check hot spots. 6 Wash and dry clothes at a high temperature. 7 Use protective covers.

What is the best way to kill bed bugs?

Dry steaming. Similar to the heat treatment option, dry steaming involves killing bed bugs with high temperatures – in this case super-heated dry steam. Steamers are used on common problem areas in rooms and on specific furnishings. This is another natural solution for those looking to avoid the use of chemicals.

How many eggs do bed bugs lay?

In addition, bites from bed bugs can lead to pain, itching and even infections. With bed bugs able to lay up to 250 eggs a month, there’s no better time to solve the problem than today.

How to tell if you have bed bugs?

To help you understand the extent of the problem, you should look out for specks of blood on your sheets, unappealing scents and signs of skin or faeces. Adult bed bugs are 5.5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed) and a brown colour so you will be able to see then at this stage.

What is the cheapest way to treat a mattress?

Chemical sprays . This is the cheapest type of treatment, and the one you’ll be most likely to use if doing this as a DIY project. Chemicals are applied to the affected areas, including the seams and joins on your mattress, so you are generally fine to sleep on them the same evening.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are non-flying insects that are often mistaken for small ticks or cockroaches. About the size of an apple seed, these bugs will feed by sucking on the blood of humans or animals, usually during the night where people sleep such as your mattress, headboard or bed frame. Extremely hard to get rid of your own, ...

How to kill bugs in a house?

Heat treatment. One method, which tends to be the most popular, will be via a heat treatment. With this method, the home will be heated to 120 degrees or higher to kill the bugs since they are not able to withstand temperatures higher than this.

How do you know if you have a bed bug bite?

Most people will know they have a bed bug bite when they see a bite mark on their skin, usually dark brown or reddish in color. However, keep in mind close to 30 percent of people out there don’t react to bed bugs.

How long do you have to leave your home after fumigation?

If you choose the fumigation or the heat treatment method, you will have to leave the home for a few days until everything is back to normal.

What to do if a company doesn't use pesticide?

Spray pesticide. If the company doesn’t use this type of method, then there’s a good chance they will use some sort of spray pesticide and will apply it like they would any other pests inside the home. This chemical may also be intertwined with these other methods as well, depending on the company you’re using.

Can you throw away bed bugs?

For example, since bed bugs are known to hide inside fabric material, a professional will highly advise you throw away any fabric or rinse in hot water to play it safe. Furniture, depending on the material it’s made from, will either have to be disposed of or steamed cleaned to make sure all of the bed bugs are gone.

Can you freeze bed bugs?

Bed bugs prefer dark and warmer places such as the crannies of your mattress or the edging of the wall. You can freeze bed bugs; however, the temperature will have to be less than zero degrees for more than four consecutive days. Because of this length and temperature, pest control companies won’t use this method.

Can bed bugs get into furniture?

Bed bugs don’t just infest mattresses. They can get into any other furniture in the home, including couches, chairs, dressers, etc. Because of this, the exterminator will have to treat each piece of furniture in the infested room as well.

Can bed bugs escape under a house?

If your home has pier-and-beam construction, the bed bugs can escape under the home. This means the exterminator may need to crawl under the house to spray the treatment solution.

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