You don’t want to get eaten alive in your sleep. So why would you let bed bugs hide in your mattress? Get rid of them now!
Bed bugs are a common problem for households across the United States. They can be hard to spot. But these pests will suck your life out in more ways than one. You could have an infestation brewing for weeks before you realize it.
By then, you’ll be waking up covered in bed bug bites!
Bed bugs hide in mattresses and box springs because it gives them easy access to their hosts. If you think you might have a bed bug infestation, check there first.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get rid of bed bugs in your mattress. You’ll also receive tips on how to prevent them from coming back.
Make sure you’re always ready to get rid of bed bugs.
Read on to learn everything you need to know.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small nocturnal insects that feed on blood. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, while nymphs are as tiny as 1/16th of an inch long.
They live in the crevices of your mattress, upholstery, and other furniture. Here, they can be hard to see with the naked eye. While looking for signs of bed bug infestations, you may notice rust-colored spots at the site where a bed bug is feeding on you.
Bed bugs are not known to spread disease but can cause itchy welts if they bite you. They bite the same areas repeatedly over a short period. You may notice little red bumps in a straight line or cluster on your skin.
Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?
Bed bugs hide in places out of sight where they can safely lurk without being detected. But they prefer to reside somewhere close to their hosts. As their name suggests, you can find them in the seams of your mattresses and box springs.
But you shouldn’t assume those are the only places you can find them. Bed bugs may also be hiding in the crevices of headboards and footboards. They can be under the folds of sheets or in your pillow cases.
Despite their name, bed bugs will spread well beyond your bed. They could be hiding beneath your couch cushions or on your carpet.
Bed bugs hide in unexpected places. Make sure you do a thorough bed bug inspection so you don’t miss anything.
Signs of Bed Bugs in Mattresses
If you’re waking up itchy in the middle of the night and noticing bed bug bites all over your skin, it may be time to check for bed bugs. You can determine whether or not your mattress has bed bugs in several ways.
Here are the common signs of bed bugs in your mattress:
- Bed bug droppings. These look like tiny dark dots about the size of a lentil. They could be rust-colored if fresh. But over time, they will turn into deep, black stains.
- Blood spots. Check your sheets for blood left over from the last time a bed bug bit you. They may also be on other parts of the mattress and box spring.
- Bed bug eggs and casings. These are usually yellowish/grayish. If you notice them on the surface of your mattress or box spring, there is likely an infestation.
- Musty odors. When bed bugs gather in large groups, the area they infest tends to produce an offensive odor.
If you see any of these signs, chances are high that your mattress has bed bugs! You need to get things under control as quickly as possible, so don’t wait. Contact a pest control expert immediately.
Steps to Getting Rid of Bed Bugs in Your Mattress
- Pull your bed away from the wall. You will want plenty of space to move freely around your bed while you work.
- Stand the mattress and box spring up on their sides. Doing so will make it easier to perform the treatment. It also reduces clutter on your floor.
- Strip the bedding from your pillows, mattress, and box spring. Do bed bug laundry and pack your belongings in plastic bags.
- Vacuum the bed with a specialized HEPA filter. Unlike a typical household filter, A HEPA filter will trap bed bugs inside so they cannot escape.
- Use an industrial strength steamer on the mattress after vacuuming both sides thoroughly. Doing this will help you deal with bed bugs hiding deep beneath the surface.
- Spray the mattress and box spring with a nontoxic bed bug spray. Use bed bug spray on the bed frame and headboard, and other exposed wood surfaces in your bedroom.
- Use a bed bug mattress protector. It will help prevent future infestations by keeping out dust mites and other pests that may be living on your clothes or sheets.
- Perform follow-up inspections and treatments as needed. We recommend doing this every two weeks until you get rid of bed bugs permanently.
If you do not have access to either of these tools, hire a professional exterminator. Trying to cut corners by going the DIY route is not worth the risk of getting re-infested. A professional will know what to do to deal with the problem quickly and efficiently.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs from Mattresses
The best way to prevent bed bugs from getting into your mattress is to avoid bringing them into your home. You need to be vigilant at all times.
Thoroughly clean and inspect any secondhand clothing or furniture that you purchase. Bed bugs can hitchhike on these items before making their way to your mattress.
Do bed bug laundry often to prevent the spread of bed bugs in your washable items.
Use a bed bug mattress encasement and pillow cover. Protect your pillows, mattress, and box spring to keep them from getting infested with bed bugs. If there are any bed bugs in these areas, the encasements will trap them inside where they can’t get to you.
When to Contact The Professionals
You cannot always get rid of your bed bug problem without a professional exterminator. That’s because you may have difficulty pinpointing the source of the problem. Or maybe you are unable to treat your entire home by yourself.
After all, if you have bed bugs in your mattress, they are likely to be in other places too.
You may not have the time to do a bed bug extermination by yourself. It requires a lot of prep work and hours of performing extermination.
You may want to save money by doing it yourself. But if you don’t execute the treatment properly, the bed bugs won’t go away. Then, you’ll have to start the process from the beginning.
Save yourself time, money, and stress. Call a bed bug exterminator.
They will be able to inspect your home thoroughly and determine what you need.
BedBug911 offers fully comprehensive bed bug extermination services. Our team will pinpoint the problem and develop a personalized plan that best fits your needs. We will handle everything from preparation to extermination.
You don’t have to disrupt your whole life to get rid of bed bugs.
Call BedBug911 today! 718 517 2227
