How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Your Florida Home

You pull back the sheets and notice tiny dark specks on your mattress. Maybe you’ve been waking up with itchy bite marks or small welts. If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with a bed bug problem. Did you know that Florida ranks among the top 10 states for bed bug activity?

And if you're in Florida, you're not alone; these tiny hitchhikers are all too common across the state, from Miami to Jacksonville.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to spot a bed bug infestation, understand how they spread, and most importantly, how to get rid of bed bugs for good.

Key takeaways

Bed bugs are a widespread issue in Florida, often entering homes through luggage, secondhand furniture, or neighboring units.
Common signs of a bed bug infestation include itchy bite marks, blood spots on sheets, and live bugs around beds and furniture.
DIY methods like vacuuming, heat treatments, and encasements can help, but professional pest control is usually necessary to fully eliminate them.
Prevent future infestations by inspecting hotel rooms, avoiding used furniture, and sealing cracks and crevices around your home.

What do bed bugs look like?

Adult bed bugs are oval-shaped, flat, and reddish-brown, about the size of an apple seed. After feeding, they appear swollen and darker.

Nymphs, or immature bed bugs, are smaller and lighter in color, making them harder to spot. Since they feed on blood at every stage of life, their presence tends to grow quickly without treatment.

Where do bed bugs hide?

Bed bugs are experts at hiding. You’ll find them in the tightest crevices and seams, especially around:

Mattress edges and box springs
Bed frames and headboards
Behind baseboards and electrical outlets
In upholstered furniture
Along the seams of curtains

Even hotel rooms and short-term rentals in cities like Orlando or Fort Lauderdale can be hotspots for picking up bed bugs. Once they hitch a ride on your luggage, they can spread through your home fast.

Signs of a bed bug infestation

If you're trying to figure out whether you're dealing with bed bugs or another biting pest like fleas, here are some common signs of bed bugs:

Blood spots or rusty stains on your sheets
Shed skins or tiny white eggs in the mattress seams
Musty odor near the bed
Clusters of red, itchy bed bug bites, often in a line
Live bugs, especially near sleeping areas

Some people develop allergic reactions to bed bug bites, such as welts or prolonged itching. But don’t assume bed bug bites can look like flea bites or mosquito bites, so it’s important to look for multiple signs.

How do bed bugs get inside?

Bed bugs are great at sneaking in unnoticed. They’re not drawn to dirt or clutter, but they love places where people rest. Common ways they end up in Florida homes include:

Luggage or clothing from a hotel room or vacation rental
Used mattresses or upholstered furniture
Visitors who unknowingly bring them in
Shared walls in apartments and condos

Once inside, they settle in tight spaces and come out at night for a blood meal.

How to get rid of bed bugs

1. Start with a thorough inspection

Grab a flashlight and check your bed frame, mattress seams, box springs, and nearby furniture. Don’t forget to look behind headboards and under baseboards. If you spot live bugs, eggs, or fecal spots, that’s your confirmation.

2. Wash and heat-treat

Wash all bedding, pillowcases, and clothes in hot water and dry them on high heat. High temperatures are effective at killing bed bugs at every life stage. Bag any non-washable items and leave them in direct sunlight or use a portable heat treatment unit.

3. Vacuum and declutter

Vacuum thoroughly, every crevice, carpet edge, and upholstery seam. Empty the vacuum canister or bag immediately into a sealed trash bag. Reducing clutter makes it harder for bed bugs to find new hiding spots.

4. Use mattress encasements

Zippered encasements trap bed bugs inside and prevent new ones from getting in. Use them on both your mattress and box spring.

When to call an exterminator

DIY steps, like using bleach to kill bed bugs, may help in the early stages, but they are notoriously difficult to eliminate. If you’re still seeing signs after your efforts, or you’re dealing with a widespread bed bug infestation, it’s time to call in a professional pest control company.

Professional exterminators use proven bed bug control methods such as:

Heat treatment: Raises temperatures above 120°F to kill bed bugs in all stages of life.
Targeted treatments: Apply products to cracks, crevices, and furniture joints where bed bugs hide.
Follow-up visits: Ensure that any remaining adult bed bugs or nymphs are eliminated.

Preventing future infestations

Living in Florida means bed bugs can show up again, especially if you travel or live in multi-unit housing. A few habits that can help:

Inspect hotel mattresses and headboards before unpacking
Keep luggage off the floor and away from the bed
Wash and dry clothes on high heat after travel
Seal crevices and repair loose baseboards
Be cautious with used furniture

Act Fast Before They Spread

If you think you have a bed bug problem in your Florida home, acting quickly makes all the difference. A small population can explode in just a few weeks, especially in Florida’s warm climate. Whether you’re in Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, or right here in Miami, don’t let bed bugs take over your peace of mind, and let the expert from Native Pest Management help you.

Think you might have bed bugs? Reach out for a free quote. We'll help you figure out if it's just a few hitchhikers or a full-blown infestation, and tailor a solution that works for you.