Do Bed Bugs Come Out at Night?

Bed bugs tend to be most active at night, as this is usually the time that humans—their food source—are asleep. That said, they can also be active during the day if they are hungry and there is no darkness in which to hide. Bed bugs are drawn to the carbon dioxide we exhale as we sleep, which is why they tend to bite at night.

What Season Are Bed Bugs Most Active?

Summertime is prime bed bug season because they prefer warm temperatures and higher humidity levels. During this time, bed bugs will reproduce more quickly, leading to even larger infestations.

Do Bed Bugs Go Away in the Winter?

Sadly, bed bugs do not disappear during winter. Even though the bugs may become less active thanks to the chill in the air and low humidity, they can still survive and reproduce indoors. This means you may experience an infestation during cold weather as well.

How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

The severity of the infestation and the chosen treatment method for your bed bug extermination will determine how long it takes to get rid of the pests. The fastest method a bed bug exterminator could employ is typically the heat method, as this can usually eliminate the bed bugs in your home in as little as one day. Chemical treatments and full-scale fumigation, on the other hand, may require multiple treatments over several weeks to completely eradicate a bed bug infestation.

How Often Should You Treat Bed Bugs?

During an infestation, David notes that you should treat bed bugs "every two weeks to ensure that all the bed bugs and their eggs are completely eliminated." While this means you may have to pay more for follow-up appointments and re-treatments, this further guarantees that the pests are gone for good.

Are There Any DIY Bed Bug Treatments?

There are several DIY bed bug treatments, including essential oils and bed bug traps. While cheaper and potentially safer than chemical sprays , these amateur treatments, however, are often not as effective as professional bed bug extermination methods. For example, some essential oils, like lavender and tea tree oil, do not kill the bugs but instead may only repel them.

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Here’s How Much You Have To Budget for When Hiring a Bed Bug Exterminator

An expert offers cost breakdowns for different types of bed bug treatments.

By

Jeff Bogle

Published on April 27, 2023

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Pest control worker lying on floor and spraying pesticides in bedroom — Photo:
IURII KRASILNIKOV / Getty Images

You may not know that you have bed bugs until the painful bites begin, as these tiny creatures are extremely difficult to see, and they hide in the smallest crevices in your mattress. Despite what you may have heard, having a dirty or messy home does not make experiencing a bed bug infestation more common. In fact, those living in a perfectly tidy home are just as likely to need bed bug extermination as the pests thrive in clean environments too.

The most important thing you can do when you are facing a bed bug infestation is to guarantee the complete elimination of the bugs and their eggs. Even if just one pregnant female bed bug remains after a bed bug exterminator's job is finished, their job has only really just begun as your home could be reinfested with more bed bugs over the course of a few months. If you're in the market for a bed bug exterminator, ahead you'll find our complete cost breakdown for various treatment plans.

How Much Does Bed Bug Extermination Cost?

The total cost for a bed bug extermination can be anywhere between $500-$4,000 depending on the size of your home, the severity of the infestation, and the type of treatment used. We spoke to A.H. David, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Pest Control Weekly, to get a better understanding of how much you can expect to pay on average for a variety of treatments ranging from heat to fumigation.

"Heat and steam treatment options will typically be priced between $1,500-$3,000 for a standard-sized single-family home, and depending on the severity of the infestation," David explains. "Fumigation, on the other hand, typically costs between $2,000-$4,000 for the same size house."

Do note that fumigation treatments will require your home to be tented and vacated for several days. In the event you opt for chemical treatments, expect to pay between $500-$1,500 depending on the type of insecticide being used and the size of the affected area. Below is a brief breakdown of low-, average-, and high-end costs for hiring bed bug exterminators.

Low-end cost	$500-$1,500
Average cost	$1,500-$3,000
High-end cost	$3,000-$4,000

What Factors Impact the Cost of Bed Bug Treatments?

While there is a price range for hiring a bed bug exterminator to end your bed bug infestation, there are several factors that can and will impact the bed bug exterminator. Some of these include:

Severity of the Infestation

No bed bug problem seems minor, but some are on a smaller scale than others. The severity and scope of the bed bug infestation will play a major role in the bed bug exterminator cost, as this determines the type of treatment used and if re-treatments are necessary.

Size of the Affected Area

The size of your home and the area bed bugs have affected will impact the price that a pest control company will quote to perform a bed bug extermination. Larger infestations and homes with multiple affected rooms will increase your total cost.

Location of the Infestation

A bed bug infestation will occur in two places: on or beneath the surface. Bed bugs can hide in all kinds of cracks and crevices in your home, often deep inside hard-to-reach places. The deeper and more difficult these places are to access, the more expensive the bed bug exterminator cost will likely be.

Treatment Method(s)

From heat and steam to chemicals and full-scale fumigation, the type of treatment you and your pest control company select together will impact the bed bug extermination cost. Expect to pay more money for a complete fumigation compared to heat or steam treatments, which tend to be less costly.

Number of Treatments Required

If your bed bug infestation isn't resolved after a single treatment session and requires re-treatments, expect to dish out more cash. Conversely, if all of your bed bugs are eradicated after one treatment, you won't have to pay more money for follow-up treatments.

Length of Service Guarantee

Finally, a critical factor to consider when comparing pest control companies is the length they are willing to guarantee their bed bug extermination work. You may pay extra for a longer service guarantee, but that could pay for itself should the bed bugs return.

How Do Exterminators Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

Depending on the severity of the infestation and the exact location of the bugs, a professional bed bug exterminator will employ a variety of bed bug extermination treatments to successfully rid your home of the bugs. The most common methods include:

Steam Treatment

A bed bug exterminator will use a steam machine to heat treat all of the surfaces where bed bugs may be hiding. This method kills bed bugs and their eggs without the use of chemicals.

Heat Treatment

Heat treatments involve specialized equipment that will raise the temperature of the affected area to between 120°F-135°F. This extreme heat will effectively kill bed bugs and their eggs. However, using heat instead of chemicals can lead to a higher bed bug exterminator cost because multiple treatments may be required to completely eradicate the pests.

Chemical Treatment

During spot treatments or complete fumigation, bed bug exterminators may choose to use chemicals to eliminate these pests. To do this, a bed bug exterminator will apply insecticides to all of the surfaces where bed bugs may be lurking. Chemical methods tend to be the most cost-effective bed bug treatment options, but they require careful application to avoid potential health risks posed by the chemicals.

Vacuuming

A high-powered vacuum can also be used to remove bed bugs and their eggs from furniture, carpets, and other surfaces inside your home. This method is not as effective as others but can be used in combination with heat, steam, or chemicals to achieve a successful bed bug extermination.

Best Nationwide Bed Bug Exterminators

Key Specs	Orkin	Terminix	Ehrlich
Nationwide Availability	48 states	45 states	18 states
Online Quote Option?	No	Yes	Yes
Treatment Methods	Conventional chemical treatments with pesticides and heat treatments	Non-toxic RapidFreeze, a proprietary solution that freezes bed bugs, eggs, and nymphs, plus chemical insecticides, steam, high heat, and trapping monitors	Chemical treatment (liquids, dust, and aerosols), fumigation, heat treatment, stream, bed bug mattress covers
Free Inspection?	Yes	Yes	Yes

Orkin

With nearly a century of bed bug and pest control experience, Orkin knows its stuff. The company offers free inspections, all while taking into account your unique home environment and the intensity of your bed bug infestation. Through a comprehensive plan, Orkin will treat your home for bed bugs and provide ongoing monitoring to ensure that your home stays pest-free.

Terminix

A bed bug exterminator from Terminix may use some of the standard methods for eradicating an infestation (chemicals, steam, and high heat), but the company also employs its trademarked non-toxic approach called RapidFreeze. This solution quickly freezes the bed bugs in your home—including eggs and newborn bugs—to ensure that all the bed bugs are killed. During your free inspection, your exterminator will recommend either this treatment or another traditional option, depending on your home environment and the severity of the infestation.

Ehrlich

Ehrlich specializes in massive bed bug exterminations thanks to its full-scale fumigation method, which requires your home to be tented, sealed, and treated. If your infestation isn't severe, or you simply don't have the budget for this option, the company also offers typical chemical, steam, or heat treatments. While Ehrlich only serves 18 states plus Washington, D.C., its specialists have the job training, industry experience, and expert knowledge of the unique habits of bed bugs that are needed to eliminate them properly and effectively.

Cost per Treatment

Treatment Type	Average Price
Chemical insecticides	$500-$1,500
Heat or steaming	$1,500-$3,000
Fumigation	$2,000-$4,000

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

There are many different signs that the sanctity of your home has been breached by dreaded bed bugs. David warns that the following signs may indicate that it's time to hire a professional to take care of your infestation:

A linear pattern of bites on your body.
Small bloodstains on your sheets or pillowcases from where bed bugs have been crushed while feeding.
Tiny white eggs hidden in the crevices of your mattress and/or bedding.
Pale yellow skins on your bed that the bed bugs have shed.
Rusty-looking or reddish stains from bed bug feces on your bed linens or mattress.
A musty odor, which is more likely in the case of a severe infestation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Bed Bugs Come Out at Night?

Bed bugs tend to be most active at night, as this is usually the time that humans—their food source—are asleep. That said, they can also be active during the day if they are hungry and there is no darkness in which to hide. Bed bugs are drawn to the carbon dioxide we exhale as we sleep, which is why they tend to bite at night.
What Season Are Bed Bugs Most Active?

Summertime is prime bed bug season because they prefer warm temperatures and higher humidity levels. During this time, bed bugs will reproduce more quickly, leading to even larger infestations.
Do Bed Bugs Go Away in the Winter?

Sadly, bed bugs do not disappear during winter. Even though the bugs may become less active thanks to the chill in the air and low humidity, they can still survive and reproduce indoors. This means you may experience an infestation during cold weather as well.
How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Bed Bugs?

The severity of the infestation and the chosen treatment method for your bed bug extermination will determine how long it takes to get rid of the pests. The fastest method a bed bug exterminator could employ is typically the heat method, as this can usually eliminate the bed bugs in your home in as little as one day. Chemical treatments and full-scale fumigation, on the other hand, may require multiple treatments over several weeks to completely eradicate a bed bug infestation.
How Often Should You Treat Bed Bugs?

During an infestation, David notes that you should treat bed bugs "every two weeks to ensure that all the bed bugs and their eggs are completely eliminated." While this means you may have to pay more for follow-up appointments and re-treatments, this further guarantees that the pests are gone for good.
Are There Any DIY Bed Bug Treatments?

There are several DIY bed bug treatments, including essential oils and bed bug traps. While cheaper and potentially safer than chemical sprays, these amateur treatments, however, are often not as effective as professional bed bug extermination methods. For example, some essential oils, like lavender and tea tree oil, do not kill the bugs but instead may only repel them.

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