Bed Bug Treatment in NYC

Trusted extermination services to keep your home, business, and customers pest-free

A macro image of a bed bug crawling on a white bed

Quick answer

To get rid of bed bugs in NYC, New York Exterminating combines a thorough inspection — including K-9 scent detection — with heat treatment that kills bed bugs and eggs at every life stage, plus targeted follow-ups. Service is guaranteed, same-day appointments are available across all five boroughs, and every job starts with a free estimate.

Bed Bugs Don’t Mean Your Home Is Dirty—They’re Everywhere

Finding bed bugs is embarrassing. People assume it means you’re dirty or living in a “bad” building. That’s completely wrong.

Bed bugs infest luxury Manhattan penthouses, five-star hotels, brand-new condos, and million-dollar brownstones. They hitchhike on luggage, clothing, bags, furniture, and public transportation. You can bring them home from a Broadway theater, a subway ride, or a friend’s house.

They’re not attracted to dirt—they’re attracted to body heat and carbon dioxide. If you sleep there, bed bugs can live there.

We’ve treated bed bugs in every type of NYC property since 2010. No judgment, no shame—just effective treatment that eliminates them.

or request service online. We use heat and organic treatments that kill bugs and eggs without harsh chemicals.

Bed bugs in your home? We’ll get rid of them — guaranteed.

Same-day service across all five boroughs. Free, no-obligation estimate.

Call (347) 210-4646Get a Free Estimate

Why NYC Has a Massive Bed Bug Problem

Extreme population density — Eight million people in 300 square miles. More people means more opportunities for bed bugs to spread. High-rise buildings, crowded subways, packed theaters—everywhere people gather closely, bed bugs can transfer.

Constant travel and tourism — NYC is a global destination. Hotels, Airbnbs, hostels—travelers bring bed bugs from around the world. Tourists take them home, spreading infestations internationally. Business travelers bring them to hotels, then home to their own beds.

Public transportation — Subways, buses, commuter trains—millions of people sitting in close quarters daily. Bed bugs crawl onto clothing, bags, and belongings. One infested person on the morning commute can spread bugs to dozens of others.

High tenant turnover — People move constantly. Used furniture on sidewalks. Moving trucks carrying belongings between apartments. Each move is an opportunity to transport bed bugs to new locations. Landlords inherit infestations from previous tenants.

Multi-unit housing — Bed bugs travel through walls, electrical conduits, and plumbing chases. Treat one apartment, but if neighbors have infestations, bugs migrate back. Many buildings have low-level chronic infestations that never fully clear.

Second-hand furniture and goods — NYC has a huge market for used furniture, clothing, and household goods. Thrift stores, online marketplaces, sidewalk freebies—all potential sources of bed bug introduction. One infested couch brings thousands of bugs into your home.

Delayed treatment — People don’t recognize bed bugs initially. They assume bites are from mosquitoes or spiders. By the time they realize it’s bed bugs, the infestation is established. Early infestations (10-20 bugs) are much easier to eliminate than severe ones (thousands of bugs).

Pesticide resistance — NYC’s bed bug populations have been exposed to pesticides for decades. Many populations are resistant to pyrethroid insecticides (the most common class). Chemical-only treatments often fail. Heat and organic treatments work better.

How to Identify Bed Bugs

Adult bed bugs:

  • Size of an apple seed (4-5mm long)
  • Reddish-brown, flat oval body (swollen and darker after feeding)
  • Six legs, short antennae
  • Visible to naked eye, but hide during the day
  • Emit a sweet, musty odor when populations are large

Nymphs (young bed bugs):

  • Smaller than adults (1-4mm)
  • Translucent or pale yellow
  • Become darker as they feed and grow
  • Five nymph stages before reaching adulthood
  • Can be mistaken for other insects

Eggs:

  • Tiny (1mm), white, oval-shaped
  • Laid in clusters in cracks and crevices
  • Sticky coating helps them adhere to surfaces
  • Hatch in 6-10 days at room temperature
  • Nearly invisible without magnification

Where they hide:

  • Mattress seams, box spring corners, bed frames
  • Headboards, especially wooden ones with cracks
  • Nightstands and furniture near the bed
  • Behind outlet covers and switch plates
  • Picture frames and wall decorations
  • Baseboards, especially where they meet the wall
  • Clothing folds, bags, and clutter near sleeping areas
  • Couches, recliners, and upholstered furniture

Signs of infestation:

  • Live bugs (usually found at night when feeding)
  • Shed skins (exoskeletons left after molting)
  • Black or brown fecal spots on sheets, mattresses, walls
  • Blood smears on bedding from crushed bugs
  • Bite marks in lines or clusters on skin (though not everyone reacts)
  • Sweet, musty odor (only in heavy infestations)

Our Bed Bug Treatment Methods

We use heat treatment and organic solutions—not chemical sprays. Here’s why:

Heat treatment kills all life stages instantly — Bed bugs die when exposed to temperatures above 120°F for 30+ minutes. Heat penetrates mattresses, furniture, walls, and belongings, killing bugs and eggs everywhere. No chemicals, no resistance, no repeat visits for eggs.

Organic treatments are safer and effective — We use plant-based products (like diatomaceous earth and natural pyrethrins) that kill bed bugs through physical action, not chemical poisoning. Bugs can’t develop resistance. Safe for families with kids, pets, and chemical sensitivities.

Chemical resistance is widespread in NYC — Many NYC bed bug populations are resistant to synthetic pyrethroids. Chemical treatments often fail, requiring multiple retreatments. We skip the chemicals and use methods that actually work.

Heat Treatment Process

Preparation (you do this before we arrive):

  • Remove heat-sensitive items (candles, crayons, medications, vinyl records, aerosols)
  • Leave bedding, clothing, and most belongings in place (heat treats them)
  • Clear floor spaces for equipment access
  • Remove pets and plants for the day

Treatment (we handle everything):

  • Set up industrial heaters throughout the space
  • Raise room temperature to 135-145°F
  • Maintain lethal temperature for 4-6 hours
  • Monitor temps with sensors to ensure all areas reach lethal levels
  • Fans circulate heat into furniture, walls, and hidden spaces
  • Cool down period before you return

Post-treatment:

  • All bed bugs and eggs are dead (100% kill rate when done properly)
  • No chemical residue or odor
  • You can re-enter same day once cooled
  • We install monitoring traps to confirm elimination
  • Follow-up inspection at 2-3 weeks

Success rate — 95-98% elimination with proper preparation. Failures usually result from neighboring infestations (in multi-unit buildings) or re-introduction.

Organic Treatment Option — For customers who prefer non-heat methods or for properties where heat isn’t feasible:

Initial treatment:

  • Thorough inspection to map infestation areas
  • Steam treatment of mattresses, furniture, and cracks (kills on contact)
  • Diatomaceous earth application in harborage areas (kills through desiccation)
  • Natural pyrethrin sprays in targeted locations
  • Mattress and box spring encasements (traps bugs inside to die)

Follow-up treatment (14 days later):

  • Re-inspect and treat any remaining activity
  • Target newly hatched nymphs before they reproduce
  • Reinforce harborage treatments
  • Replace monitoring traps

Success rate — 85-90% with two treatments. May require third treatment for severe infestations.

What to Expect: Realistic Timelines

Heat treatment:

  • Single-day treatment (4-8 hours)
  • Immediate elimination of all life stages
  • Follow-up inspection at 2-3 weeks to confirm success
  • No ongoing treatments needed unless re-infestation occurs

Organic treatments:

  • Initial treatment + follow-up 14 days later
  • Some bugs may be visible between treatments (newly hatched nymphs)
  • Most activity eliminated after second treatment
  • Third treatment needed in 10-15% of cases

Multi-unit buildings:

  • Neighboring units may need inspection/treatment
  • Re-infestation possible if neighbors remain infested
  • Building-wide coordination provides best long-term results

Bed bug elimination is achievable, but requires thoroughness. Half-measures don’t work.

Bed Bug Bites: What They Look Like

Bite characteristics:

  • Small, red, itchy welts
  • Often in lines or clusters (“breakfast, lunch, dinner” pattern)
  • Appear on exposed skin while sleeping (arms, shoulders, neck, face, legs)
  • Typically appear within hours to days after being bitten
  • Not everyone reacts (30% of people show no visible bites)

What bites don’t tell you:

  • Bite reactions vary wildly between people
  • Some people have severe reactions, others have none
  • Bites alone can’t confirm bed bugs (many insects bite)
  • Lack of bites doesn’t mean no bed bugs (check for other signs)

What to do if you suspect bed bug bites:

  • Inspect your sleeping area for live bugs, shed skins, fecal spots
  • Check mattress seams, box spring, bed frame closely
  • Don’t immediately throw out furniture (bugs might spread)
  • Call for professional inspection before taking drastic action

Why DIY Bed Bug Treatment Usually Fails

Store-bought sprays don’t reach hidden bugs — Bed bugs hide deep in mattress seams, inside box springs, behind baseboards, and in wall voids. Surface sprays don’t penetrate these areas. You kill exposed bugs, but the hidden population survives and reproduces.

Bug bombs (foggers) make it worse — Foggers disperse bugs into new areas and don’t penetrate hiding spots. They cause bugs to scatter into walls and neighboring units. They create resistance and make professional treatment harder.

Chemical resistance is widespread — Most consumer products use pyrethroids. NYC bed bugs are highly resistant. Products that worked 20 years ago don’t work now.

Eggs aren’t killed by most treatments — Even if you kill all adult bugs and nymphs, eggs hatch 6-10 days later. You need follow-up treatment or a method that kills eggs (like heat).

Incomplete treatment allows re-establishment — Miss one pregnant female, and the infestation returns. Miss a few eggs, and nymphs mature and start reproducing. Bed bug treatment requires 100% thoroughness.

Throwing out furniture spreads bugs — Discarding infested furniture on the sidewalk lets others take it, spreading bed bugs. Bugs also scatter when furniture is moved, infesting other rooms and neighboring apartments.

Preventing Bed Bugs After Treatment

Inspect when traveling:

  • Check hotel mattresses, headboards, and furniture before unpacking
  • Keep luggage on stands, not on beds or floors
  • Inspect luggage before bringing it inside your home
  • Wash and dry all clothing on high heat immediately after travel

Be cautious with used items:

  • Thoroughly inspect used furniture, especially upholstered pieces
  • Avoid sidewalk furniture (common bed bug source in NYC)
  • Check second-hand clothing and bags carefully
  • Heat-dry thrift store purchases before storing

Reduce clutter:

  • Less clutter means fewer hiding spots
  • Store belongings in sealed containers
  • Keep floors and surfaces clear
  • Regularly vacuum and inspect sleeping areas

Use protective encasements:

  • Mattress and box spring encasements trap any bugs inside
  • Light-colored encasements make bugs easier to spot
  • Keep encasements on for at least 18 months (bed bugs can live over a year without feeding)

Monitor regularly:

  • Place interceptor traps under bed legs
  • Check traps monthly for signs of activity
  • Inspect mattress seams during sheet changes
  • Address signs of activity immediately

In multi-unit buildings:

  • Report bed bugs to building management immediately
  • Cooperate with building-wide inspections
  • Don’t assume your treatment will be permanent if neighbors are infested
  • Consider preventive treatments if building has chronic issues

Common Bed Bug Myths

Myth: Bed bugs only infest dirty homes


— False. Bed bugs feed on blood, not dirt. They infest pristine homes just as easily as messy ones. Cleanliness doesn’t prevent or eliminate bed bugs.

Myth: You can’t see bed bugs


— False. Adult bed bugs are visible to the naked eye (apple seed size). You can spot them if you know where and when to look (nighttime, near sleeping areas).

Myth: Bed bugs only live in beds


— False. They prefer areas near where people sleep, but infest couches, chairs, walls, electrical outlets, clothing, and bags. Heavy infestations spread throughout entire rooms.

Myth: Bed bugs transmit diseases


— Mostly false. While bed bugs carry pathogens, there’s no confirmed disease transmission to humans in real-world conditions. Their main health impact is itching, anxiety, and sleep loss.

Myth: You can starve bed bugs by leaving


— False. Bed bugs can survive 6-12 months without feeding. Leaving your home for weeks or months won’t eliminate them.

Myth: Freezing kills bed bugs


— Partially true. Freezing below 0°F for several days kills bed bugs, but home freezers and cold weather rarely reach or maintain temperatures low enough. Not a reliable DIY method.

Get Effective Bed Bug Treatment

Look, bed bugs are awful. They disrupt sleep, cause anxiety, and spread easily. But they’re treatable with the right methods.

We use heat and organic treatments—not outdated chemical sprays. Heat kills everything in one day. Organic treatments are safe and effective when applied properly.

Call us at +1 (347) 210-4646 — or request service online. We’ll inspect, explain your options, and schedule treatment within a week.

New York Exterminating, Inc.

1115 E 13th St, Brooklyn, NY 11230

Licensed & Certified Since 2010

Bed bug-free sleep is possible. Let’s make it happen.

Backed by an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE)

Bed bug work is one of Jorge’s core specialties, from accurate identification to targeted remediation. Our team is led by Jorge Bedoya, an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) credentialed by the Entomological Society of America (ESA) — so the work is done with ACE-level expertise and a formal Code of Ethics behind it, not guesswork.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bed Bug Treatment in NYC

How do I know if I have bed bugs?

The clearest signs are itchy bites in lines or clusters, small rust-colored blood spots on sheets, tiny dark fecal specks along mattress seams and headboards, and shed skins. We confirm with a thorough inspection and, when needed, K-9 detection.

How do you get rid of bed bugs for good?

We pair a detailed inspection with targeted treatment — including heat treatment that raises the room to a lethal temperature — reaching bugs and eggs hidden in mattresses, frames, baseboards, and electronics. Follow-up visits confirm the infestation is fully gone.

Does heat treatment really kill bed bugs and their eggs?

Yes. Bed bugs and their eggs die at sustained temperatures above about 120°F. Heat penetrates the cracks and crevices where they hide and kills every life stage in a single session, with no lingering chemical residue.

What is K-9 bed bug detection?

Trained detection dogs pinpoint live bed bugs and viable eggs by scent, far more accurately than a visual check. We use K-9 inspection to confirm whether bugs are present, locate exactly where they hide, and verify a home is clear after treatment.

Are bed bug treatments safe for my family and pets?

Yes. Heat treatment uses no chemicals at all, and any conventional products are applied precisely to harborage areas under an integrated approach. We give you clear re-entry guidance so your family and pets return safely.

How should I prepare for a bed bug treatment?

We provide a specific prep checklist — typically laundering and bagging linens and clothing, reducing clutter, and pulling furniture from walls. Good prep is essential, and we walk you through exactly what to do.

Will the bed bugs come back after treatment?

Not when the infestation is fully eliminated and reintroduction is prevented. We treat all life stages, schedule follow-ups to catch survivors, and advise on monitoring. Our bed bug service is guaranteed.

How much does bed bug treatment cost in NYC?

It depends on the size of the home, the severity and spread of the infestation, and whether heat or conventional treatment fits best — so we give a free, no-obligation estimate up front after inspecting.

Do you offer same-day or emergency bed bug service?

Yes. Bed bugs can’t wait, so we offer fast scheduling and same-day service across all five boroughs. Our treatment is guaranteed — if they return, we come back and re-treat at no extra charge.

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Your shield Against pests

Our expertise goes beyond simple extermination. Backed by certified specialists and proven methods, we combine science, precision, and care to deliver pest solutions that last. Every treatment is designed with your safety, comfort, and environment in mind.

 

Many of our clients have remained with us since 2010, demonstrating strong trust and long-term satisfaction.

Licensed by NYSDEC – Reg. #15140

Why Choose Us

Trusted by Institutions Since 2010

Serving property managers, senior facilities, shelters, affordable-housing programs, and businesses across NYC since 2010 — many long-term clients trust our work.

Eco-Friendly and Client-Focused Service

Botanical/organic options, German-cockroach elimination and rodent-exclusion programs, full bilingual support (EN/ES), plus a client portal with reports, photos, and chemical logs for total transparency.

Fully Licensed, Certified & Compliant

NYSDEC Registered — Reg. #15140 — with fully licensed technicians (Jorge Bedoya, Tomas Cusati, Jason Mendoza). We follow all regulations for safe, legal treatments.

Science-Driven Pest Control Expertise

Led by an Associate Certified Entomologist (Jorge Bedoya) and technicians trained in urban entomology, we use IPM and proven methods for lasting results.

from inspection to protection

From first inspection to final follow-up, our science-based process ensures every pest problem is solved with precision, safety, and lasting protection

frequently asked questions

Find quick answers to common questions about our services, safety practices, and customer support

Are your pest control treatments safe for pets and children?

Yes. We use eco-friendly and low-toxicity treatments designed to protect your family, pets, and the environment.

Yes. We offer bilingual services in English and Spanish to ensure clear communication and support for all our clients across New York City.

We proudly serve all five boroughs of New York City — Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island — as well as surrounding areas.

You can access all your service reports, invoices, and treatment details through our secure online Client Portal. Simply log in anytime to view records, photos, and chemical logs for full transparenc

We specialize in removing rodents, insects, raccoons, and other common pests, providing thorough inspections and effective solutions to keep your home or business pest-free.

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Providing reliable pest control solutions for homes, businesses, and institutions across the NYC metro area

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