How Can You Tell If a Mattress Has Bed Bugs?

Originally posted on July 3, 2020 @ 11:49 am

How Can You Tell If a Mattress Has Bed Bugs?

If you want to know how can you tell if a mattress has bed bugs then I’m glad you’re here. In this article I’ll outline the signs that you should be looking for.

How can you tell if a mattress has bed bugs

It is possible to pick up one of these little creatures yourself, especially if you sleep on one.

The reason they are able to survive in some mattresses is because the fillers don’t have the strength to sustain them.

  • So if you think that you have these creatures on your bed, there are some things that you can look for to help identify them.
  • The first sign that you should be looking for is any kind of a rash or itching.
  • This is quite common and usually doesn’t mean that you have bugs but it’s usually an indication that you have been infested.
  • They feed on human blood and are attracted to blood.
  • You can pick them up with your bare hands, so that’s why it’s always important to inspect your mattress regularly.
  • If you do happen to get bug bites on your body, you will find that there are little holes that the bugs can enter your skin through.
  • You should also notice bumps where they would normally go – this is usually where they get their host. So if you see anything like this, it means that you might have bugs and they could be in the corners of your mattress.
  • To help you remember more about these signs let me outline them one by one. Firstly, notice any rashes or spots that you may have on your body. This could mean that you have got bed bugs and they are feeding off your blood.
  • Next you should start to notice any allergic reactions to fabrics.
  • For example, if you notice that you seem to have hay fever after you’ve slept on a new bed or a new mattress, you may have been infected. They love to feed off the human blood and that’s why they look for dark areas.
  • The last few signs of infection include having yellowing of the skin. That’s a common sign of getting bed bugs and they feed off of it. You should also notice that the area around the red spots on your skin is turning yellow.

Can Bed Bugs Live in the Mattress?

It is said that bed bugs actually live in the mattress.

However, there are just too many insects that can live on the mattress, bed frame, and other parts of the house.

Thus, it is extremely important to know that bed bugs do not exist in the mattress.

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Do bed bugs live in the mattress

The truth is that even if the mattress is infested, the bedbugs will not be able to enter the mattress.

They cannot thrive in a cold and moist environment because it is too humid or dry.

It is said that when bedbugs try to migrate out of the home, they would not be able to find moisture would be too low in the home.

Thus, the situation for bedbugs is already unfavorable in the home.

When you ask yourself, “Do bed bugs live in the mattress?” the best answer is probably, “No.” When you will still get the information that your bedding is infested, it will be extremely important for you to act as early as possible so that you can have a good chance of eliminating the problem.

When you ask the question “Do bed bugs live in the mattress?” the next question that comes to mind is, “Why do bedbugs prefer the mattress?” As the answer to this question, you will be able to find that bedbugs love the warmth that they feel when you are sleeping.

In case, you cannot sleep well because of the dust particles that you can see coming from the bed, this will make bedbugs become more active and spend more time near your bed.

In case, you do not find any evidence that you are infested yet, you should be checking all the corners of the bed.

You can do this by sticking a tape that has a paper cut from the corner at all the places where there is a seamon the bed sheets.

It is imperative that you put the tape down for a couple of minutes so that you can get a better idea of what kind of chemicals that you can find on the bedding and the mattress.

If you will still find none of these chemicals, you should find a place that is located in the middle of the home.

If you need to do this, it is very important that you remember to close the door behind you to prevent any type of entry of insects into the home.

This is because, insects can find your bed while you are in the middle of the night.

They can also create such a great space that other insects will want to take.

If you still ask yourself, “Do bed bugs live in the mattress?” the next thing that you should do is to check your carpets thoroughly.

However, you should check the crevices between the carpets and the mattresses to see if there are any signs of blood or eggs that can be used as a guide.

Nevertheless, you can also hire a pest control company to eliminate the bedbugs on your own.

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So hopefully I’ve given you some hints about how can you tell if a mattress has bed bugs.

So take a good look around your home and try and spot any of these bugs and then bring it to your doctor for a thorough inspection.

I can?t tell you how many people I?ve?spoken to who?were advised to or just decided to throw away their mattress and box spring during a bed bug infestation.?

I?ve even spoken to a few that?threw away everything in their house (just a little extreme).? In regards to the mattress, 9 times out of 10 it?s not necessary to dispose of the mattress and box spring.

Yes, it?s very true that bed bug does enjoy the hollow cavity of the box spring and along the seams of the mattress, but that doesn?t mean they have to be thrown away.?

Let?s face it, mattresses aren?t cheap with the average mattress set purchased costing $599.

Rather than throw away a mattress, there are several steps you can take to sterilize and save your mattress.

      • Use a vacuum cleaner to remove all the?bed bug eggs, bed bugs, and their feces bi-products from the mattress and box spring.? Vacuuming the box spring?by removing and disposing of the dust cover below is advised.? Also, thoroughly vacuum the tape edge of the mattress, which attaches the top panel to the side panel.? Be sure to discard vacuum bag if applicable or thoroughly clean the removable canister (we like to use STERIFAB, which is an alcohol-based spray).? Also, clean the hose attachments once completed as some eggs or bed bugs could be inside.
    • We like to use a steamer with a wide angle attachment and cloth cover to steam deep inside the mattress and box spring.??Bed Bugs are very susceptible to steam, which makes using a steamer very effective against bed bugs.? The tip where the steam comes out should be above 185 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate?bed bugs with steam.? Move the attachment 1? per second to ensure the steam is able to?be effective?on contact.? Given a steamer will make your mattress moist, it?s recommended to let the set dry fully before applying any sheets or encasements.? Steam is hot and can burn so be careful!
    • Once the mattress is fully dry the last step is to lightly spray the mattress and box spring with STERI-FAB or Bedlam and allow to dry.? STERI-FAB is basically just alcohol and will evaporate quickly leaving little to no trace behind.? Bedlam is residual insecticide that will continue to?be effective?for about 3 weeks.? We like STER-FAB for those looking to avoid chemicals.
    • The final step is to apply mattress encasements to both the mattress and box spring encasements.? Brands of mattress encasements include Luna Mattress or Protect-A-Bed.
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The only time we would?suggest throwing away the mattress is if you want a new one because of support issues or if the mattress is so infested with bedbugs and feces that it can?t be sterilized.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs From a Mattress – Step By Step Guide

Bedbugs aren’t just a common nuisance – they can ruin a person’s life. But if your mattress is infested, there are steps you can take to get rid of them and protect your home from other infestations. Read on to learn how to get rid of bedbugs from a mattress:

* Get a Encasement. Encasement covers the mattress in order to shield it from stains and pests. If your mattress has a higher level of moisture, you should consider getting an encasement as well. The cotton and polyester fill of the encasement absorbs these harmful fluids.
* Steamer the Surface. After you have covered the encasement, it’s time to steam the surface of the mattress. Steam helps to kill harmful fluids and fungi and is particularly useful against bedbugs. To steam the mattress, put about half a cup of hot water and half a cup of non-iodized salt in a steamer basket. The steam will penetrate deep into the mattress and remove any harmful fluids.

When the steamer basket is full, remove the contents and set it in the area where you’ll be steaming. You’ll want to use the steam in order to steam the surface as thoroughly as possible.

Depending on the condition of your mattress, you may want to steam for several hours or for a few days. You should make sure that you only steam the mattress while using a steamer basket.

Once you’ve finished steaming the mattress, close the steamer basket and leave it to dry for about three hours.

Do not open the basket until after the steamer has dried. Once the steamer is completely dry, empty it into the washer. Do not reuse the steamer basket, as this will provide a breeding ground for bedbugs.

* Replace the Encasement. Once you’ve steam-cleaned the encasement, it’s time to replace it. Be sure to put in the new encasement so that all of the old bedbug-infested materials are removed.

If your encasement is still in good condition, you can use the steamer basket again. If you haven’t steamed the encasement in a few months, you should use the steamer basket after you replace the encasement.

When you are done with your mattress steaming, wash it in a gentle washing machine with water that is lukewarm.

Make sure to only use hot water when washing the mattress because warm water can attract bedbugs. If you are not sure whether or not your mattress is infested, contact a pest control professional.

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