Some DIY steps help in the short term, such as washing bedding at 60C. However, most amateur sprays and fixes do not clear a bed bug problem, and some make it worse. Here is what the NHS, the BPCA and the HSE say, and when to stop and call a professional.
What the NHS says you can do yourself
The NHS page on bedbugs is honest about the limits. It says removing bed bugs yourself is difficult, and it advises you to contact your council or a pest control service. It also lists a few steps that help in the meantime.
Those interim steps are simple. Wash bedding and clothes at 60C, which is the temperature the NHS gives. Freeze small items that cannot be washed. These actions cut numbers on the items you treat, but they do not reach bugs hiding in walls, frames and furniture.
Why DIY rarely clears an infestation
Bed bugs hide in tight gaps and come out at night. As a result, much of the population sits where a home treatment cannot reach. The BPCA, the trade body for pest controllers, says self-treatment with amateur pesticides is highly unlikely to succeed.
There is also the matter of time. The BPCA notes that bed bugs can live for up to a year without feeding. So a few survivors can rebuild numbers once you stop. That is why a single round of washing or spraying often brings a short calm, followed by new bites.
How amateur products can backfire
Shop-bought sprays and foggers carry a particular risk. The BPCA warns that amateur products can make the problem worse by pushing bugs into other rooms or into neighbouring homes. What looked like a one-room problem then becomes a whole-home problem.
That also raises the stakes in shared buildings. If bugs scatter into another flat, you may face a longer fix and a difficult conversation with neighbours. Our guide to bed bugs in flats and shared buildings explains why neighbours matter so much.
The limits of home heat and cold
Washing and freezing work on the items you treat, and only on those items. A hot wash does nothing for the mattress, the bed frame or the wall behind the headboard. In the same way, a freezer holds only small things.
This matters because people often feel they have done enough once the laundry is finished. Then new bites appear and they feel let down. In fact, the steps did their job. They were never meant to clear a whole home, which is why the NHS calls them interim measures.
Why timing and patience matter
Bed bugs do not vanish after one effort. Because they can go many months without a meal, any bugs left behind can restart the problem. So even a good clean-up needs weeks of watching before you can say it worked.
Watch for new signs during that time. Check the bed seams each week and keep a note of new bites. If marks keep appearing, treat that as a sign the problem is still there. Our guide to the signs of bed bugs shows what to look for.
Rules for using any pesticide safely
If you still choose to use a product, follow the law and the label. The HSE guidance on using biocides tells users to read and follow the label. It also says members of the public should only use products intended for the general public, never professional-only products.
Other safety points are common sense. Keep children and pets away from treated areas until the product has dried. Do not spray bedding that people will sleep in unless the label clearly allows it. If you are unsure, stop and ask a professional, because mistakes can harm people as well as fail to work.
Steps that help while you wait for treatment
Some actions are safe and useful even if you plan to call a professional. They reduce numbers and stop the problem spreading. Try these:
- Wash and tumble-dry bedding and clothes, using the 60C wash the NHS suggests.
- Seal washed items in clean bags so they are not reinfested.
- Freeze small items that cannot be washed.
- Vacuum along seams and skirting, then empty the vacuum outside in a sealed bag.
- Keep clutter off the floor and away from the bed.
Do not move items between rooms without bagging them, because that can spread bugs. Also avoid throwing out a mattress in a rush. Newcastle City Council says you might have to dispose of soft furnishings and mattresses in some cases, so ask your pest controller first.
When to stop and call a professional
Know your limit. If you find bugs in more than one room, if bites continue after a week of effort, or if you share walls with neighbours, DIY is unlikely to be enough. The same is true if you rent, since your landlord may be responsible for dealing with the problem.
A professional will inspect, confirm the extent and choose a method. Our guide to treatment methods compares the main options, including bed bug heat treatment. Our page on finding a bed bug exterminator explains how to pick a firm. When you are ready, request help using the on-site form.
The real cost of getting it wrong
A failed DIY attempt costs more than the price of the spray. You lose weeks, you spread the bugs, and you may need a bigger treatment later. You also lose sleep, and the BPCA notes that bed bugs cause real distress for many people.
By contrast, an early call to a professional can save time and stress. You do not need to wait until things are bad. If you are unsure, ask what an inspection would involve and what it would cost, then decide with the facts in front of you.
Check who is responsible and what councils do
Before you spend money, check who should pay. If you rent, our article on who pays when tenants find bed bugs explains the Shelter and Citizens Advice position. Keep dated photos and write to your landlord.
Council help also varies. Our review of whether councils treat bed bugs compares several cities. For example, Glasgow’s council page does not list bed bugs among its services. Nottingham’s council says it does not offer a pest control service, and you can read more on our Nottingham page. The Newcastle upon Tyne area guide explains that the council treats bed bugs only in homes run by Your Homes Newcastle.
Preparing properly if you hire a firm
Good preparation raises the odds that treatment works. The BPCA says poor preparation is a common reason bed bugs return. Agree a written checklist of who will do what, and follow it.
Our page on how to prepare for a visit lists the usual tasks. Once treatment is done, read what to expect afterwards. If you have been away, remember that bugs can also arrive in luggage, so see our guide to bed bugs, travel and second-hand furniture.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Can I get rid of bed bugs without a professional?
The NHS says removing bed bugs yourself is difficult and advises contacting your council or a pest control service. The BPCA says self-treatment with amateur pesticides is highly unlikely to succeed. DIY steps are best seen as interim measures.
Does bed bug spray work?
Amateur products can make things worse. The BPCA warns that they may push bugs into other rooms or neighbouring homes. If you use any pesticide, read the label and use only products meant for the general public, as the HSE advises.
What can I do at home while I wait for treatment?
The NHS suggests washing bedding and clothes at 60C and freezing small items that cannot be washed. These steps reduce numbers but do not clear the whole infestation. Keep the room tidy and avoid moving items between rooms.
When should I stop DIY and call a professional?
Call for help when you find bugs in more than one place, when bites continue after your own efforts, or when you share walls with neighbours. Early help is easier than treating a spread problem.