Should I Throw out my Mattress if I have Bed Bugs?
Short answer? No. You should not throw out your mattress after a bed bug attack. Besides that being one of the easiest ways to spread the infestation even further, it also won't solve the problem.
Unfortunately, bed bugs are not limited to mattresses. Once you suspect a bed bug problem on your mattress, the pests are likely spread out to other areas in your house as well. Therefore, throwing your mattress out will not fix the problem.
Say you toss the infested mattress and get a brand new one. Chances are that, it will also be infested as soon as you fix it in your bed. Why? One of the most common bed bug hiding spots is in box springs and the cracks in your bed frame and headboard.
Even if you decide to replace the bed as well, that barely solves the problem. Bed bugs hiding under your wall hangings, chairs, wardrobes, and drawer joints will move to your new bed in search of blood, warmth, and carbon dioxide.
The most effective solution is treating your entire home to eliminate the stubborn pests completely. Unfortunately, once bed bugs attack your home, it can be difficult to exterminate them without professional help.
What Should You Do If Your Furniture Has Bed Bugs?
Similarly, you should not throw out your infested furniture or other properties. Instead, find the best bed bug treatment that will exterminate the infestation from your entire house completely.
This way, you will have peace of mind that there are no chances of re-infestations whatsoever. However, if for some reason you must replace the infested furniture (perhaps it's old), you must ensure that it is first treated before being removed.
Telltale Signs Of Bed Bugs On Mattress
Waking up with a red itchy spot is an unreliable sign of a bed bug infestation. However, if the spot is raised with a clear center and develops a burning sensation, you might want to do a thorough bed bug inspection.
Below are other giveaways of bed bugs on mattresses:
• Unexplained blood stains on your sheets and pillowcases
• Bed bug excrements that appears as a dark or rusty spot on your bed clothing, and you can easily mistake them for dirt.
• An unpleasant, musty odor that smells like coriander. With time the odor intensifies, and smells like "moldy shoes or damp clothes."
• Waking up with a small, red, itchy bump or welts, often in a zigzag pattern or line.
Check Out: Home Remedies & Treatment for Bed Bug Bites
If you spot the bed bug signs above, it's a good idea that you check your whole house for bed bug eggs, shed off skin or exoskeleton, fecal droppings and the bed bugs themselves.
But these annoying critters are literarily skilled at hiding out. This makes it especially challenging for homeowners to identify or exterminate both early and full-blown infestations.
Check Out: How to Check for a Bed Bug Infestation
How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs On Mattresses - DIY
Getting rid of bed bugs from your mattress begins with cleaning every nook and cranny of your bed. While DIY bed bug controls are often reported as unsuccessful, if you keenly follow the step-by-step guidelines below, you can expect an effective extermination:
• Carefully remove all beddings, including pillowcases, fitted sheets, mattress covers, comforters, shams, curtains- any removable fabrics. Put them in a plastic garbage bag immediately and tie them tightly. Note that you shall not open the bag unless when tossing the infested fabrics in a treated washer at the hottest temperatures.
• Gather all stuffed animals, pillows, and items that can't be washed like shoes in separate bags and tie tightly. Store them in a safe place at 0°F for several days to kill the critters. Or else you can use heat treatment on items that can safely be heated to 115°F.
• Using a stiff brush, scrub all corners of your bed and mattress, including the seams and foldings, to force bed bugs out and expose their eggs.
• Vacuum every part of your mattress and bed completely while paying keen attention to the foldings, seams, and cracks and crevices.
• After thoroughly vacuuming, go outside and empty the vacuum cleaner bag, secure it in a plastic bag and put it in the garbage can. Be sure to clean the vacuum container so that no bugs are left hiding in there.
• Secure your mattress and box spring in tight encasements and zip up so that no bed bugs can escape or enter. Encasements are 100% bed bug proof and are made to keep your mattress protected. Note that bed bugs are hardy pests and can live for up to 10+ months without a meal! Hence, you should not unzip the encasements until after one year when you're sure all bed bugs and eggs are dead.
• Move your bed a decent distance from the wall and protect it by standing its feet on interceptor cups. These are cups treated with a safe insecticide to kill any bed bugs attempting to climb up.
• When making your bed, you want to ensure no beddings are hanging to the ground. Experts also advise against using bed skirts.
• The final step is to seal all gaps and cracks on your bed and drawers, then vacuum the floors completely.
• If you noticed bed bugs in other areas of your home during the inspection, proceed to exterminate them. Use the stiff brush to expose the bugs, vacuum thoroughly, and if need be, you can raise the temperatures in your house to 113°F for 90 minutes. Constant exposure to these high temperatures will kill bed bugs no matter where they are hiding.
Using Pesticides for Bed Bugs On Mattress
Bed bugs are a very stubborn pest! Even after cleaning every corner of your house, a small mistake as missing a single pregnant bug will result in another massive infestation soon. You may want to increase your chances of successful extermination with chemical treatments.
But you must be very careful because pesticides can quickly turn hazardous. And if used incorrectly, they can be life-threatening. Before applying any bed bug treatment, you must first read all the instructions carefully and ensure it has been designed for such use. Confirm the pesticide is authentic and registered, then follow all the directions on the labeling carefully for safe and effective results.
Please note that we do not recommend chemical treatments due to the severe risks associated with pesticides exposure. This method is better off left to the certified professionals.
Seeking Help From Pest Experts
Pest control professionals are highly trained in the most effective ways to inspect and get rid of bed bugs while ensuring maximum safety for you, your pets and your loved ones.
Experts are equipped with the most appropriate tools to lure all pests out of hiding, so you're guaranteed a pest-free home. You can rest assured that your property is protected from any chances of bed bug re-infestations.
Check Out: DIY or Hire Professionals for Bed Bugs
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