The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a number of resources with information on bed bug prevention and control for the homeowner. Following are a few of EPA's recommendations and resources:
While there are many things that consumers can do to prevent a bed bug infestation and aid in control, EPA cautions that getting a pest management professional involved as soon as possible rather than taking time to try to treat the problem yourself is very effective at preventing further infestations.
Prevention
As is so often the case with pest control, the best offense against bed bug infestation in your home is a good defense. A few simple precautions EPA lists to help prevent bed bug infestation are:
Check secondhand furniture, beds, and couches for any signs of bed bug infestation before bringing them home.
Use a protective cover that encases mattresses and box springs which eliminates many hiding spots. Light colored encasements also make bed bugs easier to see. Be sure to purchase a high quality encasement that will resist tearing and check it regularly for holes.