Call an exterminator… Bed bugs are incredibly resilient. They have sprays and stuff that can put them out, but it will likely involve needing to leave your house for a few days. Even then it may not be totally effective, but its by far your best bet. Even just replacing your mattresses won’t work, they often live in sheets, clothes, anything fabric.

Dr. Oz has posed some useful information on his website.

One point he makes is not to throw out your old mattresses. Sometimes they live in nearby furniture, under picture frames, etc. Plus you might be spreading the infestation unintentionally if you move them out. Instead, he recommends you hire a professional exterminator and to also employ some tell-tale and preventative measures.

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Side note: Alan Caruba of the Canadian Free Press wrote an opinion article expressing his frustration that known remedies, like pesticides, are being actively blocked unnecessarily, which exacerbates the problem for all of us.

Here is another question about bedbugs. http://www.fluther.com/94844/what-possibility-is-there-for-mental-sanity-when-bed-bugs-are/ I did not take the time to look through all those responses, but I think someone made mention of a bed bug heater as well. http://www.amazon.com/PackTite-Portable-Killing-Heater-Unit/dp/B002C4NVO4 It’s a portable heater that seems to work better than many other options. Of course, if they manage to slither away into a crack in the floor that might give them insulation from the heat, you wouldn’t have total success. Still, it sounds cleaner, healthier than chemicals. Remember newborn bedbugs are microscopic and can hide absolutely anywhere. You can start with your insurance company, then think about this heater so you can re-heat as needed.

That is awful. I have been traveling a lot lately and worry about picking them up a motel or something. People have given pretty good suggestions but you also might want to listen to this Fresh Air podcast where Terry Gross interviews entomologist/pest management specialist Michael Potter. It’s very informative about the little buggers and has some good discussions about the various methods of getting rid of them. Good luck!

As a side note, I always, always check the mattresses of every hotel we stay in. My family thinks I’m bonkers, but after reading all that awful stuff about bedbugs, I’ll keep doing it.

alcohol. I work for a railroad company and it’s the only thing that truly works. Plain, medical, pure alcohol from the local drug store….

@snowberry you should list to the podcast I posted above. It will assure you that you are probably not bonkers enough.