Bed Bug Treatment in Sacramento

How do I know if I have bed bugs?

Look for the bugs and what they leave behind. Adults are flat, oval and reddish-brown, about 1/5 to 1/4 inch long; young ones are tiny and pale. They don't fly. California's required tenant notice lists these signs:

Small red to reddish-brown fecal spots on mattresses, box springs, bed frames, linens or walls
Shed skins, sticky white eggs or empty eggshells
A sweet odor in very heavy infestations
Itchy red bites, often on arms and legs, though some people never react

How did bed bugs get into my home?

They hitchhike. UC IPM says people bring bed bugs home on luggage, clothes, bedding and furniture, often after hotel stays. Used mattresses and furniture are high-risk, and apartments, dorms and shelters are most likely to become infested. Bed bugs have made a comeback worldwide, partly because of travel and widespread insecticide resistance.

Bed bugs aren't known to spread disease, according to UC IPM, but scratching bites can lead to infections, and the stress is real.

Heat or chemical: which bed bug treatment is better?

Most effective programs combine methods. Heat treats whole rooms with no chemical residue. UC IPM says commercial heat should reach at least 140°F for two hours or 130°F for three hours (the minimum lethal temperature is 113°F), and that heat providers in California must be licensed and bonded by the Structural Pest Control Board. Heat can damage some belongings, so ask what to remove.

Insecticides reach cracks and voids and can keep working after the visit, but UC IPM warns that some bed bug populations resist pyrethroids. Dusts like silica gel or diatomaceous earth placed in wall voids and other out-of-the-way spots can give long-term control. Steam and freezing (32°F or below for several days) are other options for furniture and belongings.

Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?

You can knock down a small problem, but UC IPM says confirmed infestations should be handled by trained professionals. These steps help either way:

Vacuum mattress seams, bed frames and baseboards, and repeat often
Wash bedding and clothes in hot water (120°F) and dry on the hottest setting; dry items need at least 10 to 15 minutes in a hot dryer
Put mattresses and box springs in bed bug encasements
Cut clutter around the bed
Skip foggers and bug bombs; UC IPM says they don't work on bed bugs and can harm your health

How should I prepare for bed bug treatment?

Follow the company's written prep list exactly. California's bed bug law notes that tenants often need to cooperate by reducing clutter and washing clothes, and that poor cooperation can undermine treatment. Ask whether to bag laundry, empty dressers or move furniture away from walls, and ask before moving belongings to another room. Plan for follow-up inspections to confirm the bugs are gone.

What are a renter's rights with bed bugs in California?

California's bed bug law (Civil Code §§1954.600 to 1954.605) sets clear rules. A landlord may not show, rent or lease a vacant unit it knows has a current bed bug infestation. Landlords must give tenants a written bed bug information notice. A pest control operator can inspect units and follow up in surrounding units, tenants must cooperate, and the landlord must share the findings in writing within two business days.

Landlords also can't retaliate against a tenant for reporting a suspected bed bug infestation in good faith (Civil Code §1942.5). The California Attorney General lists pest control for bed bugs as part of a landlord's duty to keep a home habitable.

Bed bug treatment methods and national per-room costs (Fixr, 2022 data; not Sacramento prices)
Method	How it works	Typical cost per room
Heat	Hot air raises room temperature high enough to kill all stages	$100 to $500
Chemical	Sprays, dusts and residual products in cracks and voids	$200 to $600
Steam	Steam applied to mattresses, furniture and carpet edges	$250 to $1,000
Freeze	Very cold treatment applied to infested spots	$400 to $800

Need an exterminator in the Sacramento area?

One call connects you with an independent local exterminator. Calling is free; you agree on the price and the work directly with the provider.

Call (916) 712-7030

Frequently asked questions

How much is a bed bug exterminator?

Fixr's national data put typical bed bug treatment at $500 to $2,000, averaging about $1,000, while This Old House's 2026 guide lists $1,000 to $4,000. Whole-home heat can cost $2,000 to $6,000, according to Bob Vila's 2023 guide. Price depends on how many rooms are involved, the method and the number of follow-ups. These are national, not Sacramento, figures.

How long can bed bugs live without feeding?

Many months. UC IPM says adults may feed every 5 to 7 days but can survive for months without a meal, so leaving a room empty for a few weeks won't starve them out. That's why professional treatment and follow-up inspections matter.

Do I have to tell my landlord about bed bugs?

You should, and in writing. California's bed bug law emphasizes prompt written reporting so treatment can start early, and it protects tenants from retaliation for reporting in good faith. Your landlord's pest control operator may need to inspect your unit and neighboring units, and tenants are required to cooperate with that inspection.

Available across the Sacramento area

Sources

Pest Notes: Bed Bugs (Publication 7454) — UC Statewide IPM Program
AB 551 (2016), chaptered: Civil Code §§1954.600–1954.605 (bed bugs) and §1942.5 (retaliation) — California Legislature (leginfo.ca.gov)
Know Your Rights as a California Tenant: Your Right to a Safe and Well-Maintained Home — California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General
Bed Bug Exterminator Cost (updated November 22, 2022) — Fixr
How Much Does Pest Control Cost? (2026 Pricing), updated 03/12/2026 — This Old House
How Much Does an Exterminator Cost? (updated June 2, 2023) — Bob Vila