9 Effective Ways to Prevent Bedbug Bites

You had a memorable trip. But then, you realize you returned home with an unwanted souvenir: bedbugs. Once they get inside your house, bedbugs are challenging to get rid of. They’re experts at hiding, as they come out at night to feed on your blood while you’re asleep. Knowing how to prevent bedbug bites can help make sure you can sleep easy at night.

How can you prevent bedbug bites?

Bedbug bites are not considered dangerous, but they can be frustrating. They can affect your quality of sleep, especially if the bites keep you awake itching. As you work to get rid of bedbugs, there are ways to avoid getting bit, so that your bed goes back to feeling like a safe space.   

The nine tips below may not be enough to get rid of bedbugs completely. But there’s a good chance they can keep the critters from biting you while you’re sleeping. 

1. Wash and dry your bedding on high heat

Having bedbugs doesn’t mean you have to throw out your bed or blankets. Unless all of the bedbugs have been cleared out, you risk any new bedding you bring into the house getting infested, anyway. 

Instead, keep bedbugs out of your blankets and pajamas with heat. Start by removing all your bed linens — including comforters and pillowcases — and washing them immediately in hot water. If you can’t launder them right away, put them in a sealed plastic bag to contain the bedbugs. 

Once you wash your bedding, run it in a dryer on the highest temperature for at least 30 minutes. Aim to wash and dry your bedding regularly to lower your risk of getting bitten.  

Place items that cannot be washed or dried in a sealed trash bag and leave it outside in a sunny area for at least a day. Ensure that all sides of the bag are exposed to the sun’s heat. While freezing can also destroy bedbugs, it’s not as reliable a method as exposing them to high heat. 

2. Vacuum and steam clean furniture and floors

Bedbugs love to hide in mattress seams and inside box springs. You may even find them around bed frames and headboards. Luckily, you can capture and remove bedbugs with a vacuum. After all, the fewer bedbugs around, the less likely you’ll get bitten.

If you can, use a vacuum cleaner with a suction wand. This will help you suck bedbugs out of hard-to-reach areas around your bed. Make sure to vacuum the floors, molding, and other infested surfaces. Once done, seal the vacuum bag and throw it away immediately. If you’re using a canister vacuum, remember to thoroughly clean the canister after emptying the contents. And it’s best to change the vacuum cleaner’s filter before reusing it. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Found bedbugs in your home? Read these tips on how to get rid of bedbugs fast.

• Not sure if the new bites are from bedbugs? Take a closer look at bedbug bites on the skin and what to expect after being bitten.

• Getting rid of bedbugs: Here are some proven ways to rid your home of bedbugs.

Since heat works well to destroy bedbugs, steam cleaning is also a good strategy. If you don’t have a steamer, you may be able to rent one from a home improvement store. A handheld steamer may help ensure the hot steam reaches the folds and cracks of your mattress and box spring. But be careful not to get burned. 

3. Get a mattress and box spring cover

An effective way to keep bedbugs that are hiding inside your bed from biting you is to invest in a good-quality covering for your mattress and box spring. The best option is to use a cover with a good seal that zips around your mattress and box spring. This traps the pests until they eventually die. And it keeps new bedbugs from crawling into your mattress.   

Look for an encasement that’s sturdy and designed specifically for bedbugs. Expect to keep it on the mattress for about 1 year. 

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4. Sleep in long-sleeved clothing

Human blood is the primary source of food for bedbugs. These sneaky creatures will feast on exposed areas of your skin, but they can’t bite through fabric. 

Lower your risk of getting bedbug bites by wearing long-sleeved pajamas with pants while sleeping. But be mindful that bedbugs can find their way to your skin under loose clothing. So wear pajamas that are more fitted around your ankles and wrists to give you the best protection. 

5. Declutter

If you’ve been thinking of tossing out unwanted items in your house, now you have a good reason to get started. Getting rid of clutter and keeping your house clean gives bedbugs fewer places to hide. These are important steps that help lower the number of bedbugs hanging around and prevent them from reproducing. 

When you reduce the number of bedbugs in your house, you bring down the odds of getting bitten and ensure a good night’s sleep. 

6. Use interceptor traps

Bedbug interceptors help trap the bugs that are trying to climb up your bed. An interceptor is a small, plastic dish that’s placed under your bed posts (or the legs of other furniture). It has a groove that helps trap the bedbugs.

You can buy interceptors or make them yourself using some easy-to-find supplies. Place an interceptor trap under each leg of your bed to keep bedbugs from reaching you at night. 

7. Contact a qualified pest control professional

Remember, these tips are not part of a one-and-done process. Even if you repeat these steps frequently, controlling and getting rid of bedbugs is difficult. So, if you have trouble dealing with the issue on your own, you may want to contact a qualified pest control professional or company for help.

Here are some important things to keep in mind when you’re looking for a trustworthy pest control specialist:

• Do they have a current certification or license? You can use this licensed pest control company search tool to check if the professional or company you’re considering is licensed or certified. It’s also helpful to check whether the service you’re considering is affiliated with any professional pest control associations. If that’s the case, chances are the company cares about delivering quality results. 

• Are they open to doing an inspection and discussing their treatment plan? Bedbugs or otherwise, pest control professionals should confirm the type of infestation they’ll be treating, the level of the problem, and what procedure(s) they’ll be performing.

• What active ingredient(s) are involved in the treatment? If you or someone you’re living with has allergies, sensitivities, or other health concerns, talk about them with the pest control company. Make sure to also check whether the pesticides involved in the treatment can be used in your state.

• What do other people have to say about the company? It’s important to do your due diligence before moving forward with a professional bedbug treatment service. You can look at company reviews and ask people who have used the service whether they were satisfied. As an added measure, you can check with your state’s regulatory board on pesticides to see if the company has received any complaints.

If you’re renting your home, get in touch with the landlord or building manager immediately. Similarly, if you’re traveling and you notice signs of bedbugs, contact the hotel or property manager right away.

8. Use a bedbug repellent spray

If you have to go into a home with a known bedbug infestation, applying a commercial repellent containing DEET to your clothes and shoes can be effective. But be careful, DEET sprays shouldn’t be applied to furniture and certain fabrics because it could be damaging. Make sure to use DEET sprays according to the label’s instructions.

9. Wash all clothing immediately after travel

Washing your clothes after travel won’t help with bites you may have gotten on vacation. But immediately washing clothes in hot, soapy water will reduce the risk of bringing them into your own home. Follow up by drying on the highest setting possible. You can also hot-steam your luggage, shoes, and anything else that can’t be placed in a washing machine.

Early signs of bedbugs

If you suspect you might be being bit by bedbugs but you’re not sure, look for these signs of a bedbug infestation: 

• Small, reddish-brown bedbugs, usually in mattress seams and piping

• Tiny blood spots from crushed bugs on your mattress or bedding

• Droppings that are about the size of poppy seeds on your bed sheets  

• Pale-yellow, molted skins on your bedding 

• A sweet, musty odor in your room, which may or may not be noticeable 

Symptoms of bedbug bites

Usually, people aren’t aware they’ve been bitten by bedbugs until they wake up the next day. You may notice:

• Welt-like bumps on the skin

• Itchy skin

• Tiny fluid-filled blisters

• Burning skin

Not everyone develops these symptoms. In rare cases, some people develop serious or allergic reactions, like trouble breathing and tongue swelling, to bedbug bites. Get immediate medical care or call emergency services immediately if you have a serious reaction.  

What do bedbug bites look like?

Bedbug bites look a lot like mosquito or flea bites, so they can sometimes be difficult to distinguish. But here are some telltale signs to look out for:  

• Small, very itchy, and reddish welt-like bumps, usually on the face, neck, and arms

• Bumps with a red dot at the center

• Bites that are clustered, generally in a set of three 

• A zigzag pattern or row of bites

Bedbug bite treatment and self-care

Bedbug bites generally go away on their own without treatment. The key is to prevent the bite marks from becoming infected. These simple strategies and treatments may be helpful:

• Avoid scratching the bites. 

• Keep the bite areas clean by washing them with soap and water. 

• Use an over-the-counter (OTC) steroid cream, such as hydrocortisone, to relieve itching. For more severe cases, a prescription steroid cream, like triamcinolone, may be needed. 

• Try taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to soothe itchy skin.

See a healthcare professional immediately for bites that show signs of infection. These include welts that get worse, are painful, or start oozing pus.   

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Written by:

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN, brings health topics to life for readers at any stage of life. With over 25 years in healthcare and a passion for education, she creates content that informs, inspires, and empowers.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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