The internet is filled with false promises of magic charms that instantly kill bed bugs or keep them away but unfortunately, most of them are completely useless. Below is a list of products that really have been proven to work and that most can afford. I have purchased almost all of these items myself or have heard reliable testimonies of their effectiveness.
Cimexa is my absolute favorite weapon against bed bugs. It will dry them out into an empty husk within 1 to 2 days. Be sure to apply it LIGHTLY using a puffer duster or with my preferred tool, a small paint brush to dab it into cracks.
There's nothing I would rather have at my side going into battle with a brand new bed bug infestation than a good steamer. Most of us can't afford a professional thousand dollar model but I had success with just a small handheld $35 steamer. It just took a lot of refills. But the steam is going to get you enough heat to kill all stages of bugs and it's so gratifying seeing them fry.
Interceptors (sometimes also called traps) are a great way to monitor bug activity. You won't catch every bug and it's not going to eliminate them but you can measure your success by the rate at which you catch them. And they really do work. They come in round and square or rectangular shapes and black or white. Dark colors have been proven to be more effective but are more difficult to inspect. Use larger sizes for large bed legs or just to sit next to furniture or around the room for monitoring.
Mattress encasements or protectors are great for reducing options for bed bugs to hide and making inspection much easier. They don't prevent you from getting bugs nor will they solve an active infestation on their own but they are definitely a valuable tool in the fight. There are several types of mattress protectors so when picking one out, make sure it is SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR BED BUGS and it is the right size (Queen, Twin, etc) and depth for your mattress. If it's too large and baggy, it's more likely to rip and will be difficult to inspect. Don't forget to get one for your box spring as well if you have one.
Nuvan strips are great for using in a bag or sealed container of items that would be difficult to treat or inspect such as electronics and small intricate decor or books. Just keep it sealed for a few days and everything should be dead inside. Be sure to follow instructions for use.
Many recommend using heaters such as these to load with items and kill anything hiding inside them. I've never used one personally. I prefer to use the dryer whenever possible for clothing and and bedding and steam larger items. Anything else can be sealed in a bag or container with Nuvan strips. But if you do decide to use a heater, use it carefully on objects that can withstand the heat and make sure the temperature reaches 120 degrees inside the thickest items.
When possible, it is best to leave treatment to the professionals. If you do have to attempt self treatment, the following sprays have been recommended as effective options. Many sprays only kill on contact so you would have to find every bug and egg to kill them all. So look for sprays that have a residual effect so they can kill any bugs that walk over it for weeks after treatment. They should be used along with other tools as part of an integrated solution.
After heat treating clothes and bed linens or after inspecting items, you will need to protect. I recommend using sealable clear plastic bags like these. You can reopen them when needed and seal them back up and you can easily see what's inside them so you don't have to hunt through lots of bags to find what you're looking for.