A Step-by-Step Guide to Eliminating Bed Bugs from Your Mattress

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Bed bugs are fairly high up on the list of household pests that homeowners dread the most. The reason The one place you should be able to retreat to for solace at the end of the day has been invaded by bed bugs. The question is, what exactly are bedbugs, and how do they spread? How common are bedbug infestations? These tiny insects, which feed on human blood, prefer to nest in mattresses and other soft furnishings. Bed bugs are most active at night, which is why it's not uncommon for victims to wake up with mysterious welts on their skin. Although many people immediately think of dirty homes or cheap hotels when they hear the term "bed bug," the reality is that any home can get infested. If a person brings bed bugs into their home on their clothing or belongings, the bugs will likely remain there and continue to multiply as long as they can get their hands on human or animal blood.

Bed bugs are most commonly found in beds, as their name implies. Fortunately, getting rid of bed bugs in a mattress does not necessitate buying a new bed because there are many effective methods for doing so. When you know what draws bed bugs and how they act, you can better eliminate the pests and prevent their spread.

Needed time: an hour to two
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In the Beginning...

Although they are certainly not welcome, bed bugs do not pose a serious threat to human health. The parasites don't attach to the host animal like ticks and fleas do. Is it possible for bed bugs to spread from person to person? They can cling to fabric but not human flesh. Keep in mind that bed bugs have a rapid rate of reproduction and can live for up to a year. They can go months without eating if they have to. Insects and their unhatched eggs can be reduced in number if the infestation is dealt with as soon as possible.

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Bed Bugs in Your Mattress? Here Are Some Solutions

• Find and treat any and all potential infestation areas.
• Reduce the number of hiding spots for bed bugs by keeping the house tidy.
• Freeze any potential bed bug-infested clothing for a few days in a plastic bag or wash it in hot water.

• Read the label before using chemical pesticides and keep in mind that these products may cause harm to humans and animals.
• Follow the directions on the steamer's packaging to keep from getting burned.

First, locate all potential breeding grounds.

If you have reason to believe that a mattress contains bed bugs, you should first conduct a thorough inspection by stripping the bed of its linens. Clusters of small, flat, brownish-red bugs (about 5 mm in length) are the telltale sign of a bed bug infestation. In addition to the bugs themselves, you may be able to see their eggs, droppings, shed skins, or even tiny blood spots from where they were crushed. While there are many different insects that could be causing your itching and bites, bed bugs are almost certainly to blame if they are clustered around your mattress.

Look in places like cracks and crevices. Bed bugs like to make their homes in creases, crevices, and nooks and crannies. When bed bugs feel threatened, they release pheromones that can leave an infested area smelling musty. Although bed bugs are most commonly associated with infesting mattresses and bed frames, they will settle in any soft, upholstered, and warm place where they have access to a blood meal. In addition to the mattress, you should inspect the surrounding area and any nearby furniture.

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Second, if you have a bed bug infestation, vacuum up any that you can see.

Using a vacuum cleaner to remove bed bugs is the most effective method. After removing all of the bedding and washing it in hot water, vacuum the mattress thoroughly, paying special attention to the seams and the edges. Then, you should sweep or vacuum the floor to get rid of the bugs that fell off the bed or were disturbed from their hiding places in the carpet. Check the hard floors as well. The cracks in bed frames and the spaces around the baseboards are prime hiding places for bed bugs. When you're done with the vacuuming, close the trash bag and place it outside.

Third, get the treatment area ready.

After the area has been thoroughly vacuumed, it can be properly prepared for treatment. Any laundry that has accumulated on the floor around the bed should be washed in the washing machine, preferably with hot water. If you have any items that can't be washed in hot water, you can put them in a plastic bag in the freezer for a few days to kill any insects. Remove any trash or clutter that has accumulated on the ground. The most effective treatments reduce the number of hiding spots for insects. This may also involve looking for and filling any gaps in the flooring or walls with caulk. As you move things around and put them away, be mindful that you don't accidentally spread the bugs to other areas.

In the fourth step, you'll either use a chemical or nonchemical treatment to eliminate the pests or consult a professional exterminator.

How do you eliminate bed bugs from a mattress? Increasing the temperature is a simple method of exterminating the insects. Heat and cold are lethal to bed bugs. If you have any linens that cannot be washed in hot water, you can put them in the freezer for three or four days. Steaming the mattress is an option, but the steam needs to be at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit to kill any bacteria.

The best bed bug mattress covers can be placed over the mattress to prevent the pests from entering. The mattress will be protected from outside bed bugs, and any that make it inside will eventually die from lack of food. It may be more practical to use a chemical mattress treatment for bed bugs in some situations. Popular insecticides like pyrethrins and pyrethroids kill insects without harming humans or animals. You could also try sprinkling a desiccant on the mattress and then vacuuming it up. Desiccants kill insects by breaking through their exoskeletons and are typically safe to use around humans.

Bed bug exterminators like Orkin, Terminix, and Ehrlich Pest Control are available for hire if the infestation is particularly bad. There isn't always a "one size fits all" approach to pest control because every home is unique. Professional exterminators have dealt with persistent bed bug infestations and can determine the most effective course of action.

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STEP 5: Take measures to avoid further infestations of bed bugs

Bed bugs are resilient insects that may take several months to completely exterminate. If you want to stop bed bugs from coming back, check the mattress every few days and treat it again if it needs it. Continue to use hot water for frequent washings of sheets and clothing, and regular vacuuming. Some people would rather start fresh with a new mattress than try to clean their old one. If you decide to go this route, be sure to thoroughly clean the bed frame and the area around it to prevent bringing bed bugs into your new mattress. A mattress protector can be used for both prevention and treatment of a bed bug infestation. How long do bed bugs typically survive in a mattress? Since the correct answer is "up to a year," it's recommended that the mattress protector be left in place for at least that long.

You can avoid bringing bed bugs back into your house by washing your clothes as soon as you get back from a trip. You should also perform a thorough check of any used clothing or furniture you plan to bring inside.

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Although bed bugs can be difficult to get rid of, the above steps should eventually be successful. Treatment with chemical or non-chemical bed bug mattress cleaner after vacuuming away visible bugs and eggs is a tried-and-true method. If you don't feel up to taking on the task yourself, an exterminator can help you get rid of bed bugs once and for all with the right equipment and expertise.