Short answer: Health Canada says "Bedbugs are very hard to get rid of." and "If you do have bedbugs, it is strongly recommended that you hire a licensed professional pest control operator." If you treat on your own as well, use a product with a PCP registration number whose label names bed bugs, and only where that label allows. Among the products we list, three Domestic-class labels name bed bugs: Ortho Bed Bug B Gon Max Bed Bug Killer Aerosol 400 g (PCP Reg. No. 33722), Ortho Bed Bug B Gon Diatom Diatomaceous Earth Bed Bug Killer Aerosol 340 g (PCP Reg. No. 32674) and Doktor Doom Go Green Premium Quality Pyrethrin Insecticide Powder, 350g (PCP Reg. No. 29759). The pyrethrin product is the powder; the Diatom product is diatomaceous earth in a pressurized spray can.
Start with Health Canada's advice
Health Canada's pest-control tips page on getting rid of bedbugs says:
- "If you are a tenant and have bedbugs, you should tell your landlord right away."
- "Whichever treatment is used, it will only be effective if physical control methods and preventative measures are used together."
The same page lists the Canadian Pest Management Association, or your provincial pest management association, as the place to find a professional pest control operator.
How to check for bed bugs
Health Canada describes when they are active: "Bedbugs come out at night to feed, attracted by the carbon dioxide we exhale." For an inspection it suggests a thin scraper for mattress seams and crevices, cotton swabs for stains, and white plastic bags that seal. What to look for, in its words: "Look for black/brown spots (dried blood or feces), white spots (eggs - very hard to see), or live or dead bedbugs."
Physical control comes first
Health Canada's physical methods are steam cleaning, vacuuming, heating, freezing, washing and throwing out items. Three lines from that section:
- "Bedbugs die at 50°C and steam cleaners generally emit steam at a temperature of at least 100°C."
- "Place small non-washable items and dry-clean-only items in a hot dryer for 30 minutes or more."
- "Throw out any items that can't be washed, heated, or steam cleaned."
It also gives step-by-step vacuuming directions, including sealing the used vacuum bag in a white plastic bag in a lidded garbage bin. Read the full page before you start.
Health Canada's rules for using a pesticide on bed bugs
- "If the product label does not have a PCP registration number, do not buy or use it."
- "Never use any treatment on people, pets or bedding unless the pesticide label specifically says to do so."
- "Do not use pesticides on baby cribs, playpens, or toys."
- "Do not use homemade pesticides."
Ortho Bed Bug B Gon Max Bed Bug Killer (PCP 33722): what the label says
A Domestic-class aerosol from Scotts Canada Ltd. The label lists d-phenothrin 0.20% and tetramethrin 0.20%; we list the 400 g can.
- Where: "Indoors, only spot or crack and crevice application are permitted." Its bed bug directions name cracks and crevices on and around baseboards, floorboards, bed frames, closets, door and window frames and curtain-rod hardware, plus spot treatment of mattresses and box springs.
- Before: "Always test an area before spraying." and "Before treatment, remove all bedding and thoroughly vacuum and air out mattresses and box springs."
- The bed: "Treat mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards, especially tufts, folds and edges of the mattress." The label adds "Spray until damp." and "Allow treatment to dry before remaking bed with freshly washed bedding."
- Never: "DO NOT treat bed linens." "DO NOT treat clothing." "DO NOT treat pets."
- People and animals: "Remove animals for a minimum of 1 hour when spraying room." After treatment the label says to ventilate all rooms and stay out for at least 15 minutes and until ventilation is complete.
Ortho Bed Bug B Gon Diatom (PCP 32674): what the label says
A Domestic-class pressurized spray from Scotts Canada Ltd. whose guarantee is silicon dioxide (present as diatomaceous earth) 6.56%; we list the 340 g can.
- The bed: "Take beds apart, spray all frames and joints." and "Spray mattress, particularly around seams tufts, folds and edges." then "Cover with clean bedding before using."
- The rest of the room: "Bed bugs may also be found in areas of the room away from the bed or furniture." The label names baseboards, mouldings, floors under the bed and nightstand, wall voids, behind wall hangings, window casings and carpet edges, and says "Apply directly to the bed bug if possible."
- Re-treatment: "Repeat as required."
- Limits: "When used indoors in residential settings, do not apply in the immediate vicinity of people or pets." and "Do not use as a general space spray."
- Fire: "Do not use in presence of open flame or spark or while smoking."
Doktor Doom Go Green Pyrethrin Powder (PCP 29759): the bed bug powder
A Domestic-class dust from 753146 AB Ltd. o/a Ultrasol Industries; the label lists pyrethrins 0.2% and piperonyl butoxide 1.0%, and its front panel names bed bugs among the insects it kills indoors in buildings. Its bed bug directions:
- Never: "DO NOT use on items which can be laundered (e.g., pillows, bedding, toys, clothing, etc.)."
- The bed: "Remove bedding before treating mattress." then "Thoroughly dust both sides of mattress, particularly around tufts and seams." and "Take bed apart and thoroughly dust the bed frame, springs and all joints."
- The room: the label adds a light coat on cracks and crevices in walls, floors and ceilings, along and behind baseboards and mouldings, and on walls behind and floors beneath furniture such as the bed and nightstand, at no more than 20 to 25 g per square metre.
- Re-treatment: "Treatment must only be repeated after 7 days if pest problem persists or reoccurs."
The full label is covered in Pyrethrin Powder in Canada: What the Go Green Label Allows.
Other labels we list
Three other Ortho labels we list do not name bed bugs, so they are not bed bug products: Ortho Bug B Gon Diatom Diatomaceous Earth Multi Bug Killer Aerosol 340 g (PCP 32673), Ortho Home Defense Max Home Insect Killer Aerosol 400 g (PCP 33763) and Ortho Home Defense Max Perimeter & Indoor Insect Control (PCP 27521).
Two Commercial-class Doktor Doom labels we list also name bed bugs: Doktor Doom Commercial Hi-Pressure Fumigator 400g 0.4%pyr, 2.0% pbo (commercial) (PCP Reg. No. 26261, as a manual sprayer) and Doktor Doom farm and livestock 0.6% pyr 4.0% pip commercial 454 g (PCP Reg. No. 29044). Because these are Commercial-class insecticides, ask us in store before you buy.
We also list the Ortho Bed Bug B Gon Max Bed Bug Trap (2 Pack). Health Canada's inspection checklist above applies either way.
Keeping them out
Health Canada's prevention page says to "Seal all cracks and crevices on wooden bed frames, between baseboards, and in walls, ceilings, windows, door frames, and furniture." Its separate pages cover making sure they don't come back and avoiding them when travelling.
For other indoor insects, see How to Get Rid of Crickets in the Garage or House (Canada) and Cockroach & Ant Gel Bait in Canada: How to Use Ortho Ant B Gon Max Gel.
Pesticides are regulated by Health Canada; read and follow the label before every use.
Sources: Health Canada, "Bedbugs: how do I get rid of them?", "Bedbugs: what are they?" and "Bedbugs: how do I prevent an infestation?" (canada.ca, viewed October 2026). Health Canada Pesticide Label Search: ORTHO® BED BUG B GON™ MAX BED BUG KILLER I (PCP Reg. No. 33722, Scotts Canada Ltd.), label version dated 2020-04-07; ORTHO® BED BUG B GON™ DIATOM DIATOMACEOUS EARTH BED BUG KILLER (PCP Reg. No. 32674, Scotts Canada Ltd.), label version dated 2017-05-26; Doktor Doom Go Green Premium Pyrethrin Powder Insect Killer (PCP Reg. No. 29759, 753146 AB Ltd. o/a Ultrasol Industries), label document dated 2026-02-23 (last approved label 2025-09-18); viewed October 2026.