Even if your home is meticulously clean, there are still a few ways that bed bugs can enter it. One way the pesky insects can get into your house is by hitching a ride on a used mattress. If you aren't able to purchase a new one, make sure that the used one you are buying is bed bug-free before bringing it into your home.

Another way bed bugs can enter your house is through infected bedding. For instance, if you bring your pillow or favorite blanket to a hotel that has a bed bug problem, the insects can lay eggs in the fabric. When you bring your bedding back into your home, you will have a bed bug issue as well when the eggs hatch.

The good news is that you don't have to throw your bedding away if you find bed bugs. After calling a reputable bed bug control specialist and having them treat your home, there are several ways that you can keep the bed bugs out for good.

Here are some tips for killing bed bugs and their eggs:

1. Remove all bedding, such as sheets, pillowcases, comforters, quilts and blankets, and place them in airtight plastic bags. The bags will keep the problem from spreading until you can launder the items.

2. Wash and dry all of the bedding, using the highest temperature recommended for the fabrics. Another way to kill bed bugs, along with their larvae and eggs, is by freezing them. Place the bagged items into a freezer set at zero degrees for at least four days. You can then wash the items as an extra precaution and to remove the dead bugs from the material.

3. While you're washing or freezing the bedding, you need to treat the mattress as well. If your mattress has a protective cover, wash it according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

If the mattress isn't covered and the bed bug infestation is widespread, you may have to get rid of it. Avoid treating the mattress with traditional pesticides, as they can be harmful to humans when in close contact.

As another option, you can try steam-cleaning the mattress, as temperatures above 120 degrees will also kill all stages of bed bugs. Allow the mattress to completely air-dry before putting clean bedding on it.

4. You'll also need to vacuum any carpeting or rugs in the bedroom, as bed bugs can thrive in them as well. After vacuuming, dispose of the bag or canister contents immediately to avoid spreading the infestation. Vacuum under all furniture and around the corners of the room if it features wall-to-wall carpeting.