The protocol for getting rid of bed bugs (for good)

Spot the early warning signs

Bed bugs may be discreet, but they leave their mark. The first sign? Red bites, aligned or grouped, often located on the arms, legs or back, and on uncovered areas of your body. To get rid of bed bugs effectively, it’s crucial to know their favorite hiding places.

You can also spot :

• Small black spots (droppings) on mattress, sheets or box spring
• Blood stains on sheets when you wake up in the morning
• White eggs stuck in mattress seams or furniture nooks and crannies

Or even the insects themselves: bedbugs are small, brown, flat and visible to the naked eye, especially around the bed.

Validate diagnosis if doubt persists

Not quite sure? It’s best to call in a professional. Canine detection, for example, can locate bedbugs with over 95% reliability. Choose professionals with “VALIDATED BED BUG DETECTION EXPERTISE” certification, such as ECOFLAIR, a pioneer in this type of service. You can also contact our team at support@sereni-d.com, sending a photo of your bites, or of the insect captured with a piece of adhesive tape to prevent damage.

When in doubt, don’t wait: the more the infestation progresses, the more complex and costly the treatment becomes. A quick response can save you weeks of itching… and stress.

Where to look for bed bugs in your home

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs do not only hide in mattresses. These insects avoid light and love dark, narrow areas close to their host.

 Remember to inspect:

• Mattress seams and box springs
• Headboards, baseboards, cracks in walls, gaps in furniture
• Electrical outlets, picture frames, curtains, sofas, travel bags, clothing

⚠️ Don’t overlook any rooms: if the infestation is old, they can spread throughout the house.

Assess the extent of the infestation

An effective protocol begins with a clear assessment of the level of infestation.

There are six levels of severity:

• Level 1: bedbugs only in the bed
• Level 2: bedbugs in the bed and its immediate surroundings
• Level 3: scattered throughout the room
• Level 4: neighboring rooms also infested
• Level 5: widespread infestation of the dwelling
• Level 6: spread to the building (building, common areas, etc.)

The higher the level, the more comprehensive, combined, and repeated the treatment will need to be.

Deep cleaning: what to do

Start by decluttering the rooms: the more stuff there is on the floor or under the beds, the more hiding places bed bugs will have.

Next:

• Vacuum thoroughly (mattresses, box springs, baseboards, cracks, furniture). Immediately throw the vacuum bag into a sealed bag outside.
• Place sheets, comforters, clothing, curtains, and linens in sealed bags.
• Wash everything at a minimum temperature of 60°C for 30 minutes, even unworn clothing.
• Items that cannot be washed should be put in a hot dryer or placed in the freezer at -20°C for 72 hours.
• Avoid cardboard boxes and cloth bags, which can harbor eggs. Use closed plastic containers instead.

Prepare furniture and bedding

Treatment is often concentrated in the bedroom. To maximize effectiveness:

• Move the bed away from the wall. Remove the bed legs if possible.
• Lift the mattresses, dismantle the bed frames, and open the drawers to expose the areas to be treated.
• Identify hiding places: bed bugs and eggs can get into seams, screws, slats, and cracks in wood. Good preparation is essential for getting rid of bed bugs in these hard-to-reach areas.
• Do not seal hiding places before treatment: the products or heat must first be able to reach the insects.

Heat treatment: fast and effective

Heat is the most effective weapon against bed bugs, provided it is applied correctly.

• Dry steam cleaner (minimum 120°C): apply to surfaces from a distance of 5 cm for several seconds. This kills insects and eggs immediately.
• Ideal for mattresses, box springs, baseboards, curtains, sofas, carpets, suitcases, bags, etc.
• For sensitive items (books, shoes, delicate fabrics), freeze at -20°C for 72 hours or use targeted steam.

⚠️ Warning: steam applied at a distance of 15 cm or incorrectly applied will be completely ineffective. Effectiveness depends on the temperature, duration of contact, and precision of application.

Insecticide treatments: an essential complement

Combined with heat treatment, a “chemical” treatment is essential to reach the most hidden bed bugs. Sereni-d offers a range of professional anti-bed bug products for private individuals. The Sereni-d range has been developed by selecting active substances of plant origin and essential oils to enhance their effectiveness.

For total and effective elimination of bed bugs, you can combine our following solutions:

• SHOCK treatment: Spray SOS Bedbugs XXL spray on bed frames, furniture, and baseboards. Thanks to its plant-based pyrethrum flower extract combined with a complex of essential oils selected for their insecticidal properties, SOS ensures the rapid destruction of bed bugs at all stages of development (larvae, adults) by shocking their nervous systems and exoskeletons, neutralizing and drying them out.
• BASIC treatment: Spray diatomaceous earth in strategic locations (behind the headboard, behind baseboards, corners of walls, ceiling). Diatomaceous earth is a natural solution that causes insects to dry out and die within a few hours. It is effective for at least three weeks and does not induce resistance. It is an excellent deep treatment for reaching the most hidden bed bugs.
• CRYO treatment: Spray Cryo Freeze aerosol on the most sensitive surfaces such as mattresses, sofas, or children’s beds. It is a 100% natural bed bug elimination solution, thanks to a gel that reaches -40°C.

Watch for signs for several weeks

The golden rule? No bites for 3 to 4 weeks. This is a sign that the treatment has been effective. During this period, pay close attention to any suspicious signs:

• New red bumps or itching when you wake up,
• Presence of small black spots (feces),
• Small clear skins (exuviae) or visible insects.

To optimize monitoring, you can use detector traps, placed under the legs of the bed or around the bed frame. These will capture any surviving bed bugs.

Using dogs for detection: a method that is 95% reliable

If you want absolute certainty, call in a certified dog detection company. Thanks to their sense of smell, detection dogs are able to identify bed bugs (live or dead) with over 95% reliability, even in the early stages of infestation.

This method is particularly recommended:

• after treatment to confirm its effectiveness,
• before moving into a new home,
• or if you suspect an infestation but there are no visible signs.

👉 Good to know: some bed bug insurance policies or landlords require this type of check to certify that a property is “infestation-free.”

Preventive measures for everyday life

Even in your own home, it is possible to limit the risk of bed bugs:

• Install bed bug covers on your mattresses and box springs. They block access to the bedding and trap any bed bugs inside.
• Vacuum regularly around the corners of beds, baseboards, and furniture. This preventive cleaning plays an important role in getting rid of bed bugs before they proliferate.
• Avoid bringing home untreated secondhand items (mattresses, sofas, frames, etc.).
• Inspect your textiles after every trip away from home, even if it’s just for one night.

When traveling or on the move: what to do

Bed bugs often travel… with you. They invite themselves into your suitcases, clothes, or backpacks, especially after a stay in a hotel, bed and breakfast, or rental accommodation.

Here are some steps to take:

• Inspect your bedding when you arrive: mattress seams, headboards, sheets, box springs.
• Keep your suitcases closed and, if possible, on a surface away from the floor or suspended.
• Use a bed bug repellent: our SHIELD or travel pack are designed to protect your belongings when traveling.
• When you get home: put your bag on the floor tiles or in the bathtub, wash all your clothes at 60°C, and put the rest in the freezer (–20°C for at least 72 hours).

For more information: How to avoid bed bugs when traveling?