Bedbugs: complete guide 2026 (signs, treatment, cost)
How to identify a bedbug infestation, which treatment to choose, and how much to budget — practical guide updated for 2026.
Bedbugs: complete guide 2026
A bedbug infestation costs €250 to €900 to treat depending on the surface and method chosen. Professional treatment is now the only effective option — home remedies often make the situation worse.
How to identify an infestation
Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) are nocturnal and difficult to spot during the day. Here are 7 warning signs:
- Clustered bites on arms, neck or legs upon waking (often in lines or triangles)
- Small black spots on sheets, mattress or box spring (droppings)
- Blood spots on sheets (crushed bugs)
- Sweet, unpleasant odor in the bedroom during advanced infestations
- Whitish exoskeletons in mattress seams
- White 1mm eggs in dark corners
- Persistent itching with no obvious cause
Indicative price table
| Configuration | Indicative price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 room | €250 – €400 | 1 day |
| 2-3 room apartment | €400 – €650 | 1-2 days |
| Family home | €600 – €900 | 2-3 days |
Pest Run prices are fixed and announced before intervention. No surprises on the bill.
The 3 professional treatment methods
1. Chemical treatment
Spraying of certified insecticides on infested zones. Effective, affordable, but requires 2 passes 14 days apart to break the reproduction cycle.
2. Thermal treatment
Heating rooms to over 55°C for several hours. Kills all stages (eggs, larvae, adults) in a single intervention. Higher cost but result by the end of the intervention.
3. Dry steam treatment
Steam at 180°C applied to seams, baseboards and corners. Chemical-free, ideal for children's rooms and sensitive individuals. Often combined with chemical for severe cases.
What to do before the intervention
- ❌ Don't throw away the mattress — a new one will be reinfected within days
- ❌ Don't sleep elsewhere in the home (risk of spreading)
- ✅ Wash all laundry at 60°C minimum, or freeze for 72 hours
- ✅ Vacuum the bedroom thoroughly the day before (dispose of vacuum bag outside)
- ✅ Prepare the room according to the professional's emailed instructions
How long until they're gone?
With professional treatment: 2 to 4 weeks. Without professional treatment: the infestation worsens and can spread to neighboring units in apartment buildings.
Got bedbugs?
Pest Run is opening soon in your area. Join the waitlist to be notified as soon as a certified professional is available near you.