Bed bug treatment in Indianapolis
Bed bugs hide in mattress seams, furniture, baseboards and cracks as thin as a sheet of paper, so treatment has to be thorough. Witts Pest Control inspects the home, treats where they hide, and plans a follow-up visit if one is needed. We arrive in unmarked vehicles.
Reviewed by Zac Kidwell, owner, Witts Pest Control. Updated October 2026.
Signs of bed bugs to look for
Bed bugs hide during the day. These are the clues they leave.
Bugs, eggs and dark spots in seams
Look along mattress piping, tags and the box spring for reddish-brown bugs, tiny white eggs, shed skins and dark spotting.
Adults are apple-seed size
Flat, oval and reddish brown. Young bed bugs are smaller and lighter.
Bites in a line or cluster
Itchy welts that show up overnight, often on arms, neck or legs. Not everyone reacts to bites, so check the bed too.
Where to check
Use a flashlight on mattress seams, the headboard, bed frame joints, nightstands and nearby outlets and baseboards.
Do I have to throw out my mattress?
In most cases, no. We recommend zippered bed bug encasements for every mattress and box spring. They seal in anything left inside and give the bugs nowhere new to hide. We can supply washable, professional-grade covers so you don't have to shop around for sizes.
How to prepare for treatment
Preparation makes the difference between one treatment and three. Before your appointment:
- Declutter. Pick up boxes, papers, shoes and bags in bedrooms and living areas. Toss what you don't need and leave the rest in the middle of the room.
- Launder. Strip all beds, couches and curtains. Wash linens and clothes in hot water and dry them on high. Clean clothes can just go in the dryer for an hour. Seal everything in new plastic bags.
- Clear the walls. Take down pictures and wall hangings and lean them against the wall. Remove outlet and switch covers.
- Move furniture. Pull furniture a foot away from the walls and empty it.
- Vacuum carpets and sofas, then throw out the bag or empty the canister outside.
After treatment
- Stay out of the treated home for at least three hours. Vacuum again when you come back.
- Leave pictures down for 24 hours.
- Keep laundered items in their sealed bags until two weeks pass with no activity. That saves you redoing the prep if a second visit is needed.
- Travelers, guests and used furniture can bring bed bugs back. Check before anything comes inside.
Questions about bed bugs
How many treatments does it take?
Sometimes one, often two. It depends on how widespread the problem is and how well the prep was done. If a follow-up is needed, we schedule it.
Will anyone know I have bed bugs?
Not from us. We arrive in unmarked vehicles and keep your information private.
Can I treat bed bugs myself?
Store sprays rarely reach the cracks and seams where bed bugs hide, and they can spread the bugs to new rooms. A professional inspection tells you how big the problem really is.