What are the key things people can do to manage bed bugs?

We strongly encourage people follow the tips below about basic precautions that can help prevent bed bug infestation in your home. Here are some highlights:

• Vigilant monitoring, including a check of secondhand furniture, beds, and couches for any signs of
bed bug infestation.
• Prevention and control by removing clutter where bed bugs hide, sealing cracks to eliminate habitat, encasing mattresses/box springs, and checking luggage when returning from a trip.
• Nonchemical treatment, e.g., vacuuming, heat treatment of clothing, bedding and furniture.
• Pesticide treatment with products explicitly labeled for use to control bed bugs and by carefully following
label directions.
EPA wants the public to be especially aware of the following:

• Never use, or allow anyone to use, a pesticide indoors that is intended for outdoor use.
It can make you and your family sick and damage your property.
• Don’t use a product or allow a pest control operator to treat your home unless bed bugs are named on the
product label.
• Before using any pesticide, READ and FOLLOW the LABEL DIRECTIONS.