Eradicating bed bugs can be difficult and long. Living with these pests can become a nightmare. One of the best weapons available to exterminate these pests is a vacuum, as simple as it sounds. In this article we will help you select the Best Vacuums for bed bugs.
Things consider when selecting your Vacuum
What makes the best vacuums for bed bugs? We will review here the key features required in a vacuum for bed bug extermination:
High Suction PowerÂ
Bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices so you will need a vacuum with a high suction power to remove as many bugs as possible.
Good power means high suction power so you should pick a model motor of at least 110 volts preferably. Also, to be noticed is that you can increase suction power when using a small size crevice attachment for example.
Vacuum bag
They are very thin insects who can crawl in and out of cracks and crevices so you do not want them to get out of your vacuum after having successfully captured them. So best is to pick a vacuum with a sealed system, with a bag, and preferably a sealed hose.
You can use a canister for bed bugs cleaning but it is way harder to ensure bed bugs are not escaping from it, so best is to choose a vacuum with a bag.
HEPA Filter
A HEPA filter (High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) is a self-contained and sealed filter which will prevent that vacuumed bugs escape out from the filter and reinfest in your home.
HEPA filters are designed to trap 99.9% of very small particles. They can release allergens, so a vacuum with an HEPA filter will help you for that matter.
If you used Bed bug powders such as CimeXa Dust or diatomaceous earth in a room to kill them on contact, then a HEPA filter will ensure those do not float in the air of the treated room.
On top of that, from the vacuumed air HEPA filter will remove particles such as allergens, bacterias, pollen, dander, dust mites, chemicals, and so on.
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Accessories and attachments   Â
They like to hide in difficult to reach areas such as cracks and crevices, so you should pick a vacuum with attachments suited to reach the bugs in those tight spaces. A crevice attachment is ideal for that purpose as its small size will boost suction power
Look also for a Brush head as attachment with your vacuum, to help dislodge them and their eggs from carpet and any upholstery surface, ensuring they can be easily vacuumed afterwards.
On top of those mentioned key features we looked at the portability of vacuums, the dustbin capacity as well as the price and the warranty
Now that you know the key features, we took into consideration to pick the best vacuums for bed bugs, keep on reading for the detailed reviews.
Tips for Vacuuming Bed bugs
 Even though you would have at home the best vacuum for bed bugs, you need to use them correctly to bring out the best results. This is what we will focus on in this section.
When you are vacuuming cracks and crevices and places where you suspect they could hide you should:
- Â Dislodge bed bugs and their eggs with the brush head of your vacuum or scrap them with the end of the suction wand.
- Use the crevice wand to vacuum those areas.
- Vacuum those areas twice and repeat the process daily until the infestation is over
- Run the vacuum as usual in other parts of the room
When you are done vacuuming you should put the vacuum bag inside a plastic bag and seal it with a tape and then trash it outside of your home. The purpose of this is not to let any bed bugs escape the vacuum bag to re-infest your home.
If you want to be extra cautious with this step you can spray pesticide in the bag when you are done vacuuming. In the same logic you can use a dedicated bed bug vacuum to avoid reinfestation in other rooms of your home. Bed bugs can get trapped in the hose, in the brush head, or in the filter (if it is not a HEPA one), and then reinfest new areas in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I vacuum for bed bugs?
You should vacuum the whole room but vacuum twice where you think bed bugs are hiding. They usually stay close to their food source (You, when you are asleep in your bed) so you will find them in the mattress or box spring or in furniture close to your bed. They like cracks and crevices so pay extra attention there when vacuuming.
You can also find bed bugs behind baseboards, electrical outlets, carpet or in the seams of chairs and sofas.
Can bed bugs live inside vacuums?
Yes, they can and they could survive there for quite some time as they are able to live months without food.
To prevent them from crawling out of your vacuum, make sure to seal your vacuum bag after usage as well as sealing the vacuum hose with a tape.
When selecting the best vacuums for bed bugs you should pay attention to the presence of an HEPA filter. As this filter will not let bed bugs escape. With no HEPA filter you are at greater risk of a bed bug breaking free of your vacuum to reinfest your home.
How do you clean a bagless vacuum with bed bugs inside?
Empty the canister into a plastic bag to seal it with a tape. Then you should wash the canister with hot water and soap. The risk is that they could have infested the vacuum hose or other areas such as the filter. You could pick a vacuum with a bag to avoid this tedious task.
Can You Get Rid of Bed Bugs by Vacuuming?  Â
Vacuuming will help you reduce the number of bugs in your home. However, vacuuming alone will not always guarantee to end the infestation. Indeed, some bed bugs could be hidden in hard-to-vacuum areas such as cracks and crevices around the bed. Eggs could be hard to vacuum as well as they are glued to the surface.
Vacuuming will help you to eliminate groups or clusters of bugs quickly and to decrease the level of infestation. To ensure total extermination you need to combine vacuuming with other methods such as steaming and encasing a mattress.
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Reviews of the Best Vacuums for Bed bugs
Best lightweight Vacuum for Bed Bugs Atrix – VACBP1 HEPA Backpack Vacuum
Atrix VACBP1 is both powerful and very portable and lightweight backpack vacuum.
It has a powerful suction due to its 1400W motor unit, which will ensure that you capture as many bugs as possible in hard-to-reach areas such as crack and crevices.
Being a backpack lightweight vacuum with an ergonomic design, it will be easy to carry around the affected room. Switching attachments to vacuum different areas won’t be a problem due to its utility belt.
The Atrix VACBP1 has an 8-Quart HEPA filter that will ensure bud bugs do not escape your vacuum to re infest your home.
Despite being a compact backpack vacuum it has a relatively large shake out bag of 2 gallons.
Pros
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Strong suction power
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Lightweight and ergonomic backpack design
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Comes with a utility belt for attachments
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Shake out bag of 2 gallons (7.5 liters)
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Advanced HEPA filtration system
Cons
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Short power cord
- Â Â Â Â Â Â You will need to buy shake-out replacement bags
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Best Vacuum for bed bugs: AHSC-1 Atrix Lil Red Canister Vacuum
This vacuum is lightweight and portable due to its small canister, which will make it a very portable tool around your home. The fact that it is easy to cart around and that it features a telescopic metal wand will make it easier for you to vacuum hard to reach areas where they like to hide.
Despite having a small size, the vacuum features a 1200-watt motor which will ensure enough suction to vacuum bed bugs. You get a good variety of attachments for this vacuum which could help you to vacuum bugs. It could be for instance crevice tools with a brush attached to dislodge eggs.
It also comes with an exhaust filter that is washable and reusable as well as many attachments. The Atrix AHSC-1 vacuum cleaner is a great pick if you are looking for a lightweight, easy to use and versatile vacuum.
Pros
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Lightweight and portable
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Comes with many appropriated attachments
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Adjustable suction
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Powerful for its size
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Uncomplicated HEPA bag changing
Cons
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Canister of the vacuum susceptible to tip over.
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Noisy
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Best Budget: Housmile UV Light
The Housmile UV Light is a handheld vacuum cleaner that is perfect to remove dust mite, bacterias, viruses and other allergens such as pollen in mattress, pillows or upholstery furniture.
The Housmile vacuum is easy to use with its corded handheld design which will enable vacuum without interruptions. It also comes with washable filters so you do not need to replace filters regularly but wash and dry them instead.
The presence of an HEPA filtration system, UV light and a rotating brush will make it an effective tool for bed bugs. Despite being low power consumption, it features a strong suction which is essential to vacuum bugs.
Pros
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Corded vacuum
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Low power consumption
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Perfect to vacuum a mattress and couch
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Presence of washable filters
Cons
- Â Â Â Â Â Â Not suited to vacuum a whole room
- Â Â Â Â Â Â A bit heavy for a handheld vacuum