Bed bug extermination costs $1,000 to $2,200 on average or $200 to $400 per room for standard pesticide applications. Higher costs of up to $4,000 to $6,000 apply for complete fumigation of a large home where the infestation is severe.

• A bed bug inspection alone costs $70 to $180 on average.
• Non-toxic steam removal of bed bugs costs $250 to $1,000 per room.
• Ongoing pest management costs $110 to $130 per month.

You can get bed bugs if pets or children bring them inside after playing outdoors. Many people bring them home without knowing it when they buy used furniture or bring luggage home.

Bed bugs also come from:

• Cracks under the doors, windows, walls, and under the floorboards
• Neighbors with a bed bug infestation
• Any open spaces in the vents that aren't properly sealed

The signs of having bed bugs include:

• Waking up with a cluster of tiny red bite marks that itch or blister up
• Finding dark purple or red spots on the sheets
• Seeing these dark-brown bugs the size of small seeds crawling around the mattress at night

Exterminators get rid of bed bugs using one or a combination of these methods:

• Applying chemical pesticides
• Steam application or extreme heat treatments
• Fumigation
• Freezing infested areas with dry ice
• Cleaning with high-powered vacuums
• Leaving diatomaceous earth in places where bed bugs hide in the daytime

Exterminating bed bugs takes 1 to 2 hours per room with up to 3 treatments over a couple of months. You'll have to vacate the house for several days if they use fumigation.

A bed bug treatment lasts for at least 14 days or up to 1 year, depending on the strength of the insecticide and how widespread the infestation is. If the pest control specialists killed all the eggs of the bed bugs, and if they sealed off all entry points for the bugs, then the treatment should be permanent.

Before the exterminator comes, follow these steps to prevent bugs from spreading:

• Pack away everything you can into boxes
• Clean out your closets
• Move the beds away from walls
• Vacuum all rooms beforehand
• Put everything in sealed plastic bags when moving laundry into another room

In most states, the landlord pays for bed bug extermination in an apartment. Sometimes the tenant must pay for extermination, but typically only if the landlord can prove that the tenant caused the infestation.

To remove bed bugs, call an extermination company or pest control service from these HomeGuide listings. Consider this checklist before hiring pest removal:

• Compare at least 3 in-person estimates.
• Read their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Ask if they have all the state-required certifications to apply pesticides.
• Choose licensed, insured, and bonded businesses with at least 5 years of experience.
• Get copies of the detailed quote, contract, and warranty before they start work.
• Avoid choosing the lowest bid that typically indicates low-quality materials.
• Never give the final payment until after the project ends.

• How long have you been a pest controller, and do you specialize in bed bugs?
• Can I see your list of references?
• How big is your crew, and what's their schedule?
• Which extermination method do you recommend and why?
• Will I need additional home repairs to prevent bed bugs from entering my home?
• Does this quote include the inspection, labor, supplies, and cleanup?
• What other costs should I expect?
• How long will the job take?
• Do you offer a warranty?